A rare sunny day brought out the best in Aintree’s fashionistas as they donned their finest hats for Ladies Day.
The tradition of fascinators and hats during Ladies Day is usually more about showcasing excellent style than being practical. However, this year, spectators at Aintree had a good need for their headwear, as the sun shone at the racecourse for the first time in almost a decade.
The Cost of Looking Good
For many attenders, attending the Grand National meeting at Aintree is not just about watching horse racing but also about dressing up and taking pride in looking stylish. While the venue is home to one of the racing calendar’s biggest meetings, it is as much a celebration of the enjoyment of dressing up.
Women wear giant floral creations for Ladies Day on day two of the Grand National meeting at Aintree racecourse in Liverpool.
Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian
A crowd of 45,000 people had been predicted, and as temperatures reached 19C on Friday, the Met Office said it was just short of being the warmest Aintree festival this century. Despite the heat, spectators were not bothered by a strong breeze, which meant that their hats remained firmly in place.
Hats have been a part of human attire for thousands of years, serving both practical and fashionable purposes.
From ancient civilizations to modern times, hats have undergone significant changes in design, material, and functionality.
In ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, hats were worn primarily for protection from the sun and wind.
During the Middle Ages, hats became a symbol of social status and occupation.
The 19th century saw the rise of 'top hats,' 'bowlers,' and 'fedoras,' while modern times have introduced 'baseball caps,' 'beanies,' and 'trucker hats.'
Making Sacrifices
While the cost of attending the event can be prohibitive, many attendees believe that it is worth making sacrifices for. As Chantalle Green, from Liverpool, said: ‘You save up for this. You want to look good – it’s everything about the day, the getting ready, that makes it.’ Green had donned a dramatic sculptural black creation and was delighted to bump into the Guardian, having been featured 13 years ago in a similarly impressive brightly coloured fascinator.
A Celebration of Style
For many attendees, attending the Grand National meeting at Aintree is a celebration of style and a chance to enjoy themselves. As Mary-Ann Smith from Warrington said: ‘It was all very last minute,’ she said, gesturing to her striking blue and orange ensemble. ‘This,’ she said, gesturing to her bold blue suit, ‘was €7 from Zara. And the hat was in the TK Maxx sale.’ Smith is another Aintree regular, having come to the Grand National for the last 17 years with a big group of family and friends.
The Power of Tradition
While some attendees may have been put off by the high cost of attending the event, others believe that it is an important part of the tradition. As Raymond and Gillian Gilbourne said: ‘We’ve always wanted to come to Aintree and we will definitely be back.’ The couple had come from County Cork, Ireland, and were enjoying the friendly atmosphere and ease of travel.
Conclusion
The tradition of hats at Aintree’s Ladies Day is a celebration of style and a chance for attendees to enjoy themselves. While the cost of attending can be prohibitive, many believe that it is worth making sacrifices for. As one attendee said: ‘You save up for this. You want to look good – it’s everything about the day, the getting ready, that makes it.’
