Grand National Style Award Judge, Lorraine McCulloch talks #FabulousFriday fashion

As the Randox Health Grand National 2018 draws closers, we’ve turned to the Liverpool style professionals to help nail our Ladies Day look.

From fascinators to flip-flops, Aintree Racecourse has seen it all when it comes to Ladies Day style and 2018 is set to be the most glamorous race event yet. The Randox Health Grand National kicks off three days of race action on 12th-14th April 2018 and there’s absolutely no excuse to not dress up to the nines. We’re talking huge hats, sky high heels, kid gloves, designers sunnies and gallon upon gallon on prosecco! Let’s face it, the paps are going to go wild again, so this is our chance to show them how we do race day glamour.

Watch above as our Kate catches up with Lorraine McCulloch to find out how to create a show stopping Ladies Day look.

Style Award Winner 2015, Toni Salters

Having styled many of the UK’s most famous faces and race goers including Coleen Rooney, Alex Gerrard, Sheree Murphy and Kym Lomas, Lorraine is back at Aintree this year to judge the Style Award Competition and she’s looking for a real show stopper. With less than a week to go Lorraine gives us her top tips and style predictions for this year’s Randox Health Grand National, she said: ” I love to see people make a real effort and stand out from the crowd. I expect we’ll see a lot of lilac and floral patterns this year as they’re on trend at the moment, plus men accessorising their suits, in previous years we’ve had fur collars and top hats and cain combo’s, which I think is brilliant.”

Liverpool ONE Grand National Style

When it comes to shopping in Liverpool, we’re spoiled for choice, from the bustling high street, Liverpool ONE and MetQuarter to local designers who design and create the most incredible, bespoke outfits for our race-going girls. Lorraine said: “Depending on your budget you can create your own, unique look on the high street with great collections from the likes of John Lewis, Marks & Spencer and this years Grand National sponsor, Outfit too. Liverpool designers also range in price with great pieces from Kirsty Doyle, Mark Melia and of course Philip Armstrong, that can help you stand out from the crowd.”

Picture Credit: British Heart Foundation

Lorraine explained: “Your Ladies Day look needn’t cost the earth, I’ve recently worked with Hollyoaks actress, Jennifer Metcalfe to style a campaign with The British Heart Foundation, and all the clothes were from the Liverpool charity shop. I put together a number of looks with the range of affordable fascinators the BHF has just released and as you can see from the pictures, the result is classy, edgy and totally different to the high street.”

We can’t wait to see Lorraine and fellow judges, Gabby Allen, Charlotte Pernini and Andrea Daley on #FabulousFriday as we dress up to the nines to be in with a chance of winning that huge Style Award prize. We’ve brought together some of Liverpool’s stylists, designers and women in the know to give you some last minute advice on how to nail your look for Ladies Day.

Here’s your top Ladies Day styling tips from those in the know….

Laura James Millinery

Laura James Millinery current season designs

The right shoes, bag and of course the all important HAT will take your Miss Selfridge Trouser Suit or Topshop midi dress to the next level. Invest in good quality accessories that can be paired with different outfits for a polished high end look. Nudes are popular again for the Spring 18 race season and Boaters are also Big News! We make ours from a variety of fabrics and can be decorated with anything from veils to leather flowers. Click here to browse the Laura James Millinery current season collection and complete your race day look with a stunning hat.

Jenny Kenny Designer Dress Agency

Jenny Kenny Designer Dress Agency Grand National looks

Avoid the double clash of high street fashion at Aintree this year and pick up a pre-loved designer outfit from Gucci to Gabbana at Jenny Kenny Designer Dress Agency.  We all know the weather can be a bit hit or miss for the Grand National but you can beat the April Showers by keeping warm with a stylish Bolero jacket, or tap into this seasons ‘bell sleeve’ trend. If you’re feeling brave, why not flash the flesh by going backless? Backless dresses are proving to be very popular at the moment, with pastel colours and striking tones such as cobalt blue looking set to win the style stakes. Click here to check out the current designer styles in store at Jenny Kenny Designer Dress Agency. 

Scouse Bird

Scouse Bird has some handy tips and advice for having a ball at Aintree

Races attire should be somewhere between what you’d wear for a night out and what you’d wear to a prom. It’s a daytime event so a bejewelled ball gown isn’t quite right but neither is a body con dress that just skims the bottom of your perfectly fake tanned bum cheeks.

The top two things that you shouldn’t forget to pop in your handbag are: BLISTER PLASTERS. I can’t stress that one enough – I carry them around at all times anyway but on races day there’s nothing that’s gonna piss on your chips more than a stingy blister by 11am. Second of all – sunglasses. Ok it might rain, that’s true but you should always be prepared with a pair of perving goggles, it’s not every day that you get to see that many men in navy suits.

If you’re struggling to find the perfect pair, then The Scouse Bird Shop has a selection to suit everyone and they’re not bank breakers so if you have a big win and accidentally lash them in excitement, you’re not even gonna be arsed. Merry races everyone!

MetQuarter Liverpool

MetQuarter Liverpool has your fashion, beauty and accessories all under one roof

If you’re more of a lastminute.com shopper and need to get all your race day essentials in one place, head to Met Quarter Liverpool. You can book in with MAC, pick up a winning outfit from Smudge, LK Bennett or House of CB, statement heels from KG or Daniel, hair at Sassoon, accessories from Mococo or Links of London and finally a beautiful spring scent from Jo Malone. Talk about convenience!

Met Quarter are also offering one lucky winner the chance to win tickets for the Randox Health Grand National 2018 plus 2 x £250 gift cards for Met Quarter stores. Click here to find out more. 

We want to see your #FabulousFriday preparation and outfits on the big day. Drop us a line on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram and we’ll share the Grand National glamour on our socials.

Featured Image Credit: Zanto Digital