BETTING BEAUTY ON A BUDGET
A Racing Style Guide by Amy Christophers
Ladies Day is officially getting its sparkle back. And I’m working with Arena Racing Company on helping you gorgeous gals get ready for this season on a budget suited to 2026! ARC have 16 racecourses across the UK, so there is bound to be one near you. Why not gather your besties and get ready for a fabulous affordable fashionista day out.
Let’s be honest, gone are the days of the same fast-fashion dress, the nude heels and the copy-and-paste fascinator around the parade ring. Ladies Day is all about showcasing your personality, creativity and confidence. It’s your chance to dress up, back a winner, have a giggle with the girls and wear something that makes you feel a million dollars.
This season, we’re bringing back themed outfits (not costumes please gals), handmade hats, statement jewellery and a touch of personal glam in the most tasteful way possible.
Get your glue gun out Ladies!
This summer, I am leaning fully into the football fever, and I’d love to see racegoers thinking outside the box too. Racing fashion can feel exciting again, not copied from the same mannequin online, so be bold, brave and beautiful on a budget!
And don’t forget, individuality doesn’t have to equal OTT - personalising elements of your fit can be as subtle as the addition of a brooch or a simple tasteful adornment.
I’ve pulled together my Style Guide tips for this season below - I can’t wait to see how you use them during the Style Awards! Keep an eye out for me as I will be judging at selected Ladies Days across the UK all summer long.
See you trackside.
Love Amy xx
1. UPCYCLE THAT OUTFIT
I’ll let you into a secret, you do not need to spend hundreds on a brand-new look! You know that dress you love sitting at the back of your wardrobe? Give her another run out.
Add feathers, bows, sequins, brooches, ribbons, gloves or a dramatic sleeve. The best dressed in the parade ring won’t always be wearing the most expensive outfit… they’ll be the ones with the most imagination.
- Jazz it up - craft accessories or statement jewellery can transform a look overnight, why not pop into your local town and see what you can find in local boutiques or milliners that can add a touch of sparkle to a simple dress, hat or bag
- Chop it up - a floor length gown you have worn once or twice might look fantastic with a raised hem to modernise or perhaps alter the dress straps or sleeve - search for local seamstress and you could have a brand new look for just a few pounds
- Dye it - ever heard of washing machine dye? It's a super simple way to reinvigorate tired or sunbleached clothes back to their former glory, bring reds back to vibrant poppy or even take that neutral jumpsuit and make it burnt orange for under a tenner!
2. BURST WITH COLOUR LIKE CITRUS
This season’s trending colour palettes are all about Citrus’ and pastels - the SS fashion week runways were awash with colour to suit every personality, from bold and bright, to serene and sophisticated, there is a colour to help everyone look En Vogue this season.
Citrus & Sunset Brights
- Tangerine & Marigold: Uplifting and highly saturated, zesty orange shades are replacing standard warm-weather colours
- Acid/Lime Green: A bold, chartreuse-tinted citrus that leans into maximalist, fun summer dressing
- Poppy Red: Extroverted and fire-engine bright, it remains a dominant runway staple that bucks the "quiet luxury" trend
Soft & Cooling Pastels
- Buttermilk / Pale Banana: The season's favorite soft yellow, bringing an easy, creamy elegance
- Airy Sky Blue / Marina: Soothing and clean ocean-inspired blues, perfect for cotton shirts and denim
- Blush Pink: A slightly muted, airy rose tone reminiscent of blooming gardens
Modern Neutrals
- Cloud Dancer White: Pantone's reigning off-white tone. It provides a crisp, serene base that makes colorful accessories pop
- Summer Grey: A moody, versatile hue that is unexpectedly carrying over from spring collections into warm weather
- Chocolate Brown: Deep, rich cocoa tones are bringing a sophisticated, moody-luxe energy to lightweight summer silhouettes
3. YOUR REGION = YOUR RUNWAY
We would love to see your local pride in the parade ring!
Worcester wonders, give us cathedral chic, Commandery charm and a touch of riverside glamour. Take inspiration from Worcester Cathedral with stained-glass colours, gothic details or even a halo-style headpiece. Proud of your city? Why not add some Worcestershire sauce-inspired flair, a pear motif (the county's famous symbol), or nod to Worcester Warriors colours in your accessories.
Let your outfit tell a story, and take inspiration from your hometown, local landmarks, sporting passions, current affairs, pop culture or even your own life!
For example, when I announced my pregnancy earlier this year, I already had a Ladies Day in the diary, so my friend and I made a STORK HAT inspired by my bump and honestly, it got more compliments than any designer fascinator ever has. The more creative and personal, the better!
We’re not suggesting guests arrive head to toe in local costume dress by the way! But using local colours, historical patterns, classic print or regionally famous flowers for inspiration can really give your look a great backstory. It’s a fabulous conversation starter!
3. MAKE YOUR HAT HIGH IMPACT
This is your sign to stop playing it safe with large fashion chain fascinators. We want to see drama, feathers, colour, and at times, chaos! Head down to your local milliner or boutique fashion store for independently created headwear that causes a stir.
Or why not visit your local charity shop (or pre-loved online store) and buy a simple base hat - you’d be surprised what you can do with a glue gun, faux flowers, ribbons and some imagination.
For the more creative and brave, there are some fantastic craft shops and online stores that sell incredible and affordable adornments to make your Ladies Day hat dream, a reality. And all for a few pounds! For the demure among us, experiment with brooches, veils and ribbons or bows.
This year I’m making a World Cup-inspired hat, and I’d love to see you all getting creative too. Homemade hats have personality. They’re conversation starters. And you are guaranteed nobody else will have the same look at you. FUN!.
Hatinator - A hatinator is a large, formal headpiece that blends the grand style of a traditional brimmed hat with the lightweight comfort of a fascinator. These tend to be sold in a solid colour or specific colourway, but the style lends itself to some easy and dramatic adornments, given the stability of the base. Glue on fake flower petals, leaves or even a bird!
Fascinator - A fascinator is a formal headpiece worn as an alternative to a hat, typically featuring feathers, flowers, or beads attached to a headband, clip, or comb. These can be quite delicate so beware of using anything heavy for your accessorising. Feathers are best for dramatising these fragile friends.
Pillbox - A pillbox hat is a small, structured women's hat featuring a flat crown, straight, upright sides, and completely no brim. Popularised globally in the 1960s by fashion icons like Jacqueline Kennedy and Audrey Hepburn, this timeless accessory remains a staple for elegant formal occasions, weddings, and horse racing events. Add a tasteful brooch, beautiful bow or a touch of drama with a simple mesh veil for an elegant, standout look.
