Our top tips to getting ahead in the Ladies Day Style Awards

There’s just six weeks to go to the Ladies Day Style Awards at this year’s Grand National Festival – so it’s time to get ready for glamour.

For while the three-day Aintree event’s one of the biggest in the racing calendar, it’s not just the horses that get racegoers cheering their favourites over the finishing line.

The Grand National Ladies Day Style Awards are one of the highlights of the festival, and whether you’ve got your outfit – or you’re still thinking of entering – The Guide Liverpool’s very own Gemma Cutting can offer great advice on getting out of the stalls (or changing rooms) and into the Style Awards winners’ enclosure.

As one of the judges of the contest – which again boasts River Island as Official Style Partner – she’s better placed than anyone to help you choose the perfect outfit and make yourself one of the day’s fashion frontrunners.

So here’s Gemma’s take on these iconic awards along with everything else you need to know about the city’s number one fashion competition of the year so far… 

Be unique – but be you

“A judge’s eye is always going to be drawn to a bright colour, a bold pattern or fantastic fascinator but at the same time someone could walk in in something very simple and still look super-chic. If you look at the winners over the years they all look completely different and they’re all different ages, so like the National itself, the winner could be anyone,” says Gemma. “A few years ago the winner wore something off Vinted, something from a charity shop, and something else she already had in her wardrobe, but it’s how you put it together in a way that’s not just stylish, but ‘your stylish’. Be original.”

Wear something you really love

Don’t choose an outfit just because you think it ticks the Style Awards boxes – make sure you feel comfortable in it too, says Gemma. Not only is it a long day, she adds: “If you love what you’re wearing and you feel comfortable, you’ll be confident and that will come across too.”

Men – be more imaginative! 

We’re all free to wear what we choose nowadays and that’s still true at Aintree, but with men nevertheless likely to opt for a traditional suit: “You should try and be a bit different.” Consider textures like velvet, or a more unusual colour or cut to stand out. And one of Gemma’s favourite tips: “The Oscars are being held on March 3 – look what the guys are wearing there.”

Head to River Island

The fashion store’s got all the latest styles and trends whether you visit in person or online – and it’s not just outfits it’s got but all the accessories from bags to shoes, and jewellery to headgear that you might need to complete your outfit. Online, there are even loads of ‘how tos’ to give you extra hints and ideas! And would you believe there’s even a section called Dresses for the Races with outfits that’ll help you look like the thoroughbred racegoer.

Liverpool ONE

If you can find your outfit anywhere, it’ll be here at the city’s top shopping destination where you’ll find a top class collection of chain stores, designer names and individual boutiques waiting with hundreds of styles, along with help and support from instore personal shoppers and tailoring services.  You can even get your make up done in one of a host of stores and concessions which usually offer race day packages to ensure you get that well-groomed look you love.

What did last year’s winners wear?

Claire Illingworth and Ainsley Briscoe were last year’s two Best Dressed winners: Claire looked stunning in a soft lemon button-fronted dress with bell sleeves from Lavish Alice, topped with a halo-shaped headband and attached hand-shaped back bow detail by Liverpool milliner Tracey Miller, while Ainsley wore a pink floral trouser suit from ASOS with coordinating sinamay fascinator.

Sally Ann Morgan was winner of The Most Sustainably Dressed Award with a chic outfit made by her mum: crimson trousers teamed with a matching hat and set off by a white voile blouse with fabulous front bow.

When are the Ladies Day Style Awards?

Ladies Day is always the second day of the Grand National Festival, and this year that’s Friday, April 4.

What are the Style Awards categories prizes this year?

BEST DRESSED:

The two best dressed racegoers will each receive a £3,000 River Island voucher, two Garden Club tickets to Ladies Day at the Randox Grand National Festival 2026, a Randox Health full body Everyman or Everywoman package, plus additional River Island gifts worth £1,000.

MOST SUSTAINABLY DRESSED:

The most sustainably dressed racegoer will receive a £1,000 River Island voucher, two Garden Club tickets to Ladies Day at the Randox Grand National Festival 2026, hospitality for two at an Aintree Racecourse fixture of choice in 2025, and additional River Island gifts worth £1,000.

Who are the judges?

Our own Gemma Cutting, along with Liverpool boxing champion and Aintree ambassador Natasha Jonas – and another style expert yet to be announced.

How do you enter?

There’s no pre-planning or filling in forms, all you need to do is head to Aintree on Ladies Day and find one of the Style Pods. Just step in, give your details in, have your photo taken – and then keep your fingers crossed.

Find out more about Ladies Day at the Randox Health Grand National Festival here.

Everything we know so far about the Randox Health Grand National 2025 HERE.