Flair to be different

A big feathery hat and an expensive outfit aren't necessary to win the Ladies' Day prizes at the RDS tomorrow. What you really need is some panache, writes Eoin Lyons

Well-groomed flesh parading at the Dublin Horse Show tomorrow won't just be of the equine variety. Ladies' Day brings out the contenders in the Best Dressed competition at the RDS where judges will pick the most stylish woman and man of the day.

A €10,000 diamond ring is the top prize for the women and, according to the RDS, the winner will combine good dress sense with individuality - but exactly what that means can be hard to figure out. The decision will be up to this year's judges - Lorraine Keane, Louis Copeland and Eileen Gould, from Appleby jewellers, sponsors of the event.

"An awful lot depends on the judges on the day," says Limerick model agent Celia Holman Lee, who was a judge at the Killarney Races recently. "I like women to look dressed up but another judge might prefer a more relaxed look." Nevertheless, there are things those who regularly judge this kind of event seem to favour.

"Co-ordination is important, but not in the sense of matching suit, hat and bag," says Holman Lee. "You have to put your own stamp on an outfit - and it's not about spending huge amounts of money. The woman chosen as best-dressed at Killarney wore a simple orange dress but attached small butterflies in her hair and on her shoes. She didn't spend a fortune, but the butterflies added a bit of fun, which got attention."

Shelley Corkery of Brown Thomas, who won Ladies' Day at the RDS in 1992 and has judged Best Dressed Lady at the Galway Races, agrees a certain amount of co-ordination is important. "Looking co-ordinated doesn't have to mean over-the-top glamour, just that everything works together.

"Generally, I think judges look for a woman who is appropriately dressed not cocktail wear - it's not what the day is about. But you do need to be eye-catching and that means someone who is of the moment and in fashion.

"When I won, etiquette was very important and I remember rushing out to buy gloves because wearing them was an unwritten rule back then. You had to have gloves, a hat and handbag. Now even hats are not quite as important a requirement as in the past. It's not necessary to wear a skirt suit, now a dress or trousers can work just as well. I do think shoes with a little heel are still important".

Jane McDonnell of Image magazine was among the judges at Ladies' Day at The Curragh races last month and believes comfort is very important.

"Women genuinely interested in having a social time will look better than those who appear uncomfortable," she says.

"There are very few places that you can wear a hat any more but you need to be able to move around freely and take part in the day's events. The woman who won at The Curragh wore a white dress and got attention without having to wear a lampshade-style hat. Short dresses and tailored suits usually work but remember a 'Money No Object' look won't necessarily appeal to judges either."

It all sounds confusing, but there are a few things worth remembering if you are planning to attend Ladies' Day.

In particular, there's the hat. Forget those spindly-feathered headpieces - those bad Philip Treacy knockoffs with dyed feathers pointing in all directions have become so popular that there hardly seems any point wearing one if your goal is to attract the judges' attention.

Instead, think about trying a lightweight man's trilby hat or a decorated headband.

Be creative about where you shop: for example, visit a vintage clothing store such as Jenny Vander on Drury Street in Dublin for hats from the 1920s and 1930s, and slim silk chiffon scarves to wrap around the neck or wear as a belt on the hips.

Breathable fabrics, cotton and silk will probably look better than anything too stiff, and solid colours are a less obvious choice than florals.

It's also likely to please the judges if you to make an outfit your own by customising it.

As usual, there is also a prize for the Best Dressed Man. "Dress appropriately," says Louis Copeland who is sponsoring the prize and has judged this competition at the Horse Show for the past few years. "Last year it rained which made those who wore light coloured clothes look out of place."

Last year's winner worn a pinstripe but Copeland says, "A jacket or blazer with trousers - but with a tie - won't put the judges off. For men, it comes down to very simple, basic things like grooming, making sure your shirt and tie work together and wearing polished shoes - you'd be surprised how many men don't".