What will be the big fashion trends for this year's Grand National

It’s one of the biggest fashion events of the year in Liverpool and our racegoers always bring their glamour A game to the Randox Grand National.

Just like picking a winner, trying to choose what to wear can be tricky and every Grand National brings new stand-out styles.

Stylist Linsey Read is helping women look fabulous, whether it’s for the Thursday opener, they’ve got their eye on the Style Awards prizes on Ladies Day or want to wow at the main event on Saturday.

Linsey has worked in fashion in the city for the last 24 years and launched her freelance business at the start of this year.

Since then she’s been using her experience in one-to-one personal shopping, wardrobe detoxes, pre-loved resales and working with brands on photoshoots, as well as coming up with gorgeous gift ideas.

Having built up a loyal local following, Linsey says she’s had a huge amount of encouragement from clients and businesses since she started:

“I love working with Liverpool brands and all the girls in Liverpool have just been so supportive with everything I’ve been doing,” she adds.

One of the things Linsey specialises in is creating outfits on a budget.

“I’ll always ask how much someone’s budget is, it might be under £50 or £100, but if you get a nice cut you don’t have to overspend and that’s what more women want now,” she says. “You could be wearing a dress that cost £30 and if you’ve got a lovely hat and shoes it’s about how it all comes together in the overall look, not cost.

“The finishing touches for me are always really important.”

Linsey has already been super-busy in the run-up to Aintree and says she’s a fan of race day fashion.

“I like it because it’s a chance to get all dressed up and feel at your best, and Liverpool girls really show their personality in what they wear.”

Linsey wears a cape dress by Club L London and hat by Tracey Miller

With lots of clients already styled for a day out at the races, here are Linsey’s predictions for what the big fashion trends will be at this year’s Grand National …

Tailoring

I love tailoring, suits and anything structured – we’re seeing a lot of shoulder pad jackets and skinny trousers that finish just before the ankle which creates a slim silhouette. Bold power shoulders and nipped-in waist jackets, worn with slim trousers or a dress underneath, give a really good shape and it’s a very 80s vibe.

Beautiful colours and monochrome

Last year I wore black and white to Aintree and I think that’s always a winner because it looks so chic. Butter lemon is a really warm gorgeous shade which is lovely, especially if the weather’s nice, and sky blues are very big this year. Burgundy is still going strong and I love it even in the summer, it’s fabulous clashed with pinks and pale blues and it suits every skin tone. I think we’ll also see a lot of chocolate brown which can be worn with nudes or with a lighter brown and chunky gold jewellery. If you want to go for a print, I’d choose a broader bolder one rather than something smaller.

Cape sleeves

Cape sleeves are perfect for Aintree because the weather’s still cool, you’ve got the length of the sleeve covering your arms, and the cape gives you a look that’s full of drama. I often work with Club L London and their cape dresses are so elegant, they hang beautifully and because of the shape you feel fabulous.

Linsey wears a black cape dress by Club L London and hat with face veil by Tracey Miller

Midis and structured maxis

I think there’ll be a lot of midis at the races this year and maxi length dresses with more of a structured and fitted hourglass shape instead of floaty fabrics.

Gold jewellery

Gold is definitely the bold choice for jewellery this season and instead of a drop style, earrings are more round button shapes.

Broad brimmed hats and face veils

I personally love classic Audrey Hepburn-style Hollywood glamour, so this year I’ll be wearing a broader brimmed hat. Rather than feathered fascinators, which can be quite fussy, face veils are going to be massive. I col laborate with Liverpool milliner Tracey Miller – last year’s Ladies Day Style Awards winner was wearing one of her headpieces – and her hats and headbands are stunning, very old Hollywood, especially with veils.