Grand National dress code & style guide
The Grand National is the biggest day of the racing calendar for racegoers. Thousands of people will pack the Aintree grandstands to watch the iconic contest unfold. Spectators from far and wide attend the famous racecourse just for the big day, while others enjoy all three days of the Grand National Festival.
Ladies’ Day at the Grand National Festival is one of the biggest fashion days of the year. Some spectators get dressed to the nines, wearing their best outfits to Aintree. However, dressing up isn’t necessary for all racegoers, as there is actually no style code for the Aintree Grand National.
Grand National Festival – Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool, Britain – April 13, 2018 Racegoers during Ladies Day at the Grand National Festival Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff @SCANPIX
What to wear to Grand National 2024
Women’s Aintree outfits
As we mentioned, there is no strict dress code for the Grand National, but that doesn’t stop people from using the racing as an excuse to dress up. Ladies Day is one of the biggest fashion days of the year, as women from far and wide head to Merseyside for a day at the races. The most popular fashion choices for women at the end are formal dresses or jumpsuits. Many women would also use a blazer to complete their outfit, which is also a wise choice given that Aintree at the beginning of April isn’t likely to be a blisteringly hot day. Aintree is also revered for its hats, which means that the perfect outfit wouldn’t be complete without a bold and extravagant piece of headwear.
Men’s Aintree outfits
For those not wearing dresses, the preferred option is always smart, with a suit the best possible decision. Tweed is among the most popular options for male racegoers, as the material is more likely to keep you warm in the colder weather at the track. Ties aren’t an essential part of the etiquette, with some opting against wearing one. Meanwhile, hats again are prominent with male visitors, with the flat peak caps being more popular in this modern era following on from the success of BBC drama Peaky Blinders. Smart shoes are essential for the big day at the racing, but trainers are still allowed, as there is no dress code.
Style Code For Grand National Ladies Day 2024
Grand National Day on Saturday is undoubtedly the biggest race day of the meeting, but Ladies Day on Friday is also extremely popular with racegoers. Fans from around the United Kingdom attend the course, and many of them dress up to show off their fashion sense.
As stated above, Ladies Day at Aintree has no specific dress code. However, it is the perfect day to wear your best outfit, as your fashion choices could win you some prizes. Visitors will all be eligible to win the Style Award competition, which will be featured on ITV’s live broadcast. The more show-stopping the outfit, the more chance there is to stand out from the crowd. That makes Ladies Day the perfect occasion to try new colourful dresses and shoe combinations.
Standing out from the crowd for males is much more challenging, but the awards tend to look for classic style outfits, which means looking at two-toned shoes and adding more colour to your outfit. A stylish hat is necessary for any man looking to win the style competition. A top hat is more likely to stand out to the judges of the style awards, which means leave the flat cap at home.
Celebrities Inspiration
As the Grand National meeting is one of the biggest social events of the year, there have been many celebrities attend the event throughout its history. Racegoers attending Aintree would be able to use some of the most stylish as inspiration for their outfits.
One of the most popular celebrities has become Coleen Rooney, who has been dubbed the ‘Queen of Aintree’. She very rarely misses the meeting, and has been seen wearing orange and black lacy dresses down the years. Meanwhile, legendary television presenter Cilla Black showed fans how to embrace the hat culture at Aintree when she wore a beautiful lilac piece of headwear at the 2014 meeting.
Famous males to use as inspiration include Paddy McGuinness, who rocked a blue three-piece suit with a pink tie back in 2015. The sunglasses just completed his outfit. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher is another that opted for a three-piece suit, but instead went for a vintage brown colour.
About GrandNational.org.uk
