Ladies Day Seaside Style Guide 2026 by Amy Christophers
Set high on the South Downs with breathtaking views over Brighton city and the sea, our unique horseshoe-shaped course is gearing up for one of the best-loved dates in its calendar: Ladies Day, on Thursday 6th August 2026. It's the centrepiece of our three-day Festival of Racing (Wednesday 5th – Friday 7th August), and this year comes with extra sparkle. Once the last race is run, TV icon and DJ Denise Van Outen takes over the decks for a live set from her VW camper van, with roaming performer Jason Lee keeping the music going trackside all afternoon. Both our Grandstand and Premier Enclosures will be open on the day, alongside our Winning Post Suite hospitality package for those after reserved seating and front-row views of the finishing post. Ladies Day at Brighton has become a proper fixture on the South Coast social calendar – a sell-out every year, and the day thousands of local women (plus plenty visiting for the summer) mark in their diaries as the one to properly dress up, gather the girls, and let their hair down as the sun sets over the sea. Best of all, you don't need a designer wardrobe or a stylist to make an impression: with general admission from £23 and our Bottomless Ladies Day hospitality package coming in at under £100, looking a million dollars trackside has never needed to break the bank. We're very lucky across the ARC group to be working with Amy Christophers, who has put together this wonderful style guide for Ladies Day visitors.
BETTING BEAUTY ON A BUDGET By Amy Christophers Ladies Day is officially getting its sparkle back. And I'm working with Arena Racing Company on helping you gorgeous gals get ready for this season on a budget suited to 2026! ARC have 16 racecourses across the UK, so there is bound to be one near you. Why not gather your besties and get ready for a fabulous affordable fashionista day out. Let's be honest, gone are the days of the same fast-fashion dress, the nude heels and the copy-and-paste fascinator around the parade ring. Ladies Day is all about showcasing your personality, creativity and confidence. It's your chance to dress up, back a winner, have a giggle with the girls and wear something that makes you feel a million dollars. This season, we're bringing back themed outfits (not costumes please gals), handmade hats, statement jewellery and a touch of personal glam, in the most tasteful way possible. Get your glue gun out Ladies! This summer, I am leaning fully into the football fever, and I'd love to see racegoers thinking outside the box too. Racing fashion can feel exciting again, not copied from the same mannequin online, so be bold, brave and beautiful on a budget! And don't forget, individuality doesn't have to equal OTT - personalising elements of your fit can be as subtle as the addition of a brooch or a simple tasteful adornment. I've pulled together my Style Guide tips for this season below - I can't wait to see how you use them during the Style Awards! Keep an eye out for me as I will be judging at selected Ladies Days across the UK all summer long. See you trackside. Love Amy xx
1. Upcycle That Outfit
I'll let you into a secret, you do not need to spend hundreds on a brand-new look! You know that dress you love sitting at the back of your wardrobe? Give her another run out. Add feathers, bows, sequins, brooches, ribbons, gloves or a dramatic sleeve. The best dressed in the parade ring won't always be wearing the most expensive outfit… they'll be the ones with the most imagination.
• Jazz it up - craft accessories or statement jewellery can transform a look overnight, why not pop into your local town and see what you can find in local boutiques or milliners that can add a touch of sparkle to a simple dress, hat or bag. We're busy lining up some brilliant Brighton boutiques and milliners to partner with for Ladies Day 2026 - keep an eye on our socials, as we'll be dropping our favourite local spots for finishing touches very soon!
• Chop it up - a floor length gown you have worn once or twice might look fantastic with a raised hem to modernise or perhaps alter the dress straps or sleeve - search for local seamstress and you could have a brand new look for just a few pounds. We're lining up some brilliant local seamstresses and alteration specialists to shout about too - watch this space, as our Brighton partners will be announced on socials soon!
• Dye it - ever heard of washing machine dye? It's a super simple way to reinvigorate tired or sun-bleached clothes back to their former glory, bring reds back to vibrant poppy or even take that neutral jumpsuit and make it burnt orange for under a tenner!
2. Burst With Colour Like Citrus
This season's trending colour palettes are all about Citrus and pastels - the SS fashion week runways were awash with colour to suit every personality, from bold and bright, to serene and sophisticated, there is a colour to help everyone look En Vogue this season. Citrus & Sunset Brights • Tangerine & Marigold: Uplifting and highly saturated, zesty orange shades are replacing standard warm-weather colours
• Acid/Lime Green: A bold, chartreuse-tinted citrus that leans into maximalist, fun summer dressing
• Poppy Red: Extroverted and fire-engine bright, it remains a dominant runway staple that bucks the “quiet luxury” trend Soft & Cooling Pastels
• Buttermilk / Pale Banana: The season's favourite soft yellow, bringing an easy, creamy elegance
• Airy Sky Blue / Marina: Soothing and clean ocean-inspired blues, perfect for cotton shirts and denim
• Blush Pink: A slightly muted, airy rose tone reminiscent of blooming gardens Modern Neutrals
• Cloud Dancer White: Pantone's reigning off-white tone. It provides a crisp, serene base that makes colourful accessories pop
• Summer Grey: A moody, versatile hue that is unexpectedly carrying over from spring collections into warm weather
• Chocolate Brown: Deep, rich cocoa tones are bringing a sophisticated, moody-luxe energy to lightweight summer silhouettes
3. Your Region = Your Runway
We would love to see your local pride in the parade ring! Chepstow and Ffos Las Gals - Give us daffodil hats, dragon brooches and full Welsh glamour. Bath babes, why not opt for some Roman inspired headwear, gold jewellery and greek dress straps. Brighton beauties, try experimenting with some seaside sparkle, maybe some pearl earrings or a necklace, or perhaps glue some shells to your headband… Let your outfit tell a story, and take inspiration from your hometown, football fever, current affairs, pop culture or even your own life! For example, when I announced my pregnancy earlier this year, I already had a Ladies Day in the diary, so my friend and I made a STORK HAT inspired by my bump and honestly, it got more compliments than any designer fascinator ever has. We're not suggesting guests arrive head to toe in local costume dress by the way! But using local colours, historical patterns, classic print or regionally famous flowers for inspiration can really give your look a great backstory. It's a fabulous conversation starter!
4. Make Your Hat High Impact
his is your sign to stop playing it safe with large fashion chain fascinators. We want to see drama, feathers, colour, and at times, chaos! Head down to your local milliner or boutique fashion store for independently created headwear that causes a stir. Or why not visit your local charity shop (or pre-loved online store) and buy a simple base hat - you'd be surprised what you can do with a glue gun, some ribbons and some imagination. For the more creative and braver, there are some fantastic craft shops and online stores that sell incredible and affordable adornments to make your Ladies Day hat dream, a reality. And all for a few pounds! For the demure among us, experiment with brooches, veils and ribbons or bows. This year I'm making a World Cup-inspired hat, and I'd love to see you all getting creative too. Homemade hats have personality. They're conversation starters. And you are guaranteed nobody else will have the same look at you. FUN!
• Hatinator - A hatinator is a large, formal headpiece that blends the grand style of a traditional brimmed hat with the lightweight comfort of a fascinator. These tend to be sold in a solid colour or specific colourway, but the style lends itself to some easy and dramatic adornments, given the stability of the base. Glue on fake flower petals, leaves or even a bird!
• Fascinator - A fascinator is a formal headpiece worn as an alternative to a hat, typically featuring feathers, flowers, or beads attached to a headband, clip, or comb. These can be quite delicate so beware of using anything heavy for your accessorising. Feathers are best for dramatising these fragile friends.
• Pillbox - A pillbox hat is a small, structured women's hat featuring a flat crown, straight, upright sides, and completely no brim. Popularised globally in the 1960s by fashion icons like Jacqueline Kennedy and Audrey Hepburn, this timeless accessory remains a staple for elegant formal occasions, weddings, and horse racing events. Add a tasteful brooch, beautiful bow or a touch of drama with a simple mesh veil for an elegant, standout look.
5. Dress For The Marathon, Not The Photo
Ladies Day is a LONG day. Yes, the heels look fabulous… until you're six races deep limping back to the taxi rank. Opt for a lower heel than you might normally choose, elegant and fashionable! My Ladies Day survival kit will also help you stay ever fresh and ever ready! Trust me, these are the real each-way bets. • Heel protectors for the grass • Blister pads • Gel insoles • Talc • Mini deodorant • Safety pins • Portable phone charger Brighton's a big site with plenty of grass underfoot, so heel protectors are an absolute must if you don't want a stiletto sinking into the turf between races. And with Denise Van Outen's DJ set keeping the party going long after the last race, blister pads and gel insoles will be your best friend if you're planning on dancing the night away as much as you enjoyed the racing.
6. Check The Weather, Babe
British weather has a personality disorder. Always check the forecast before race day! Invest a few pounds in a transparent umbrella, because even if the sun isn't shining… your outfit still can. These are fab as you can still clearly showcase your incredible outfit while staying dry on the move! Nothing ruins a glam photo faster than a giant golf umbrella from the boot of your car. Set high on the South Downs with those breathtaking sea views, Brighton does love to catch a coastal breeze, so pin that hat down securely - it can be a touch breezier up on the course than it is down on the seafront! And if the August sun does make an appearance, our elevated, open setting means shade is limited, so pack the sun cream alongside your umbrella.
7. Accessorise Like A WAG
It's a Football Fanatic summer and I am fully here for the WAG resurrection. Big earrings, statement rings, sparkle, glamour, drama! We want to see full footballers' wives' energy in the winners' enclosure. Ladies Day is one of the few places where being “extra” is actually encouraged… so embrace it! But don't forget there is a WAG style to fit everyone. Stay classy like Victoria in slimline fitted ankle length fits. Be understated like Coleen in a pastel twin set or a neutral puffball skirt (all the rage this season!). Be cool like Cheryl in a wide-leg trouser and waistcoat with trilby. Use our WAG Queens for inspiration which is bang on trend, not out of date.
8. Choose Your Bag Wisely
A clutch bag looks chic for approximately 11 minutes. Then it becomes an arm workout. Go for something cute with a handle or strap so you can actually enjoy the day hands-free. Especially when it's your round carrying a bottle of bubbles and a tray of chips back from the bar. Bonus points if you customise your bag to match your hat. It's the little details that pull a look together! And you'll likely have plenty of craft accessories leftover from your glorious hat design!
9. Have Fun & Set A Budget
The races should feel exciting, glamorous and fun… not financially stressful. Bring some cash for a few bets, set yourself a limit and stick to it. I'll be sharing a few fun each-way picks, racing jargon and little betting hacks throughout the season because I want more women feeling confident walking up to the betting ring and putting a bet on like a pro. A couple of fun outsiders, a glass of fizz and your best friends is what the day's about. Back yourself and remember to gamble responsibly. Haven't got your Brighton Ladies Day tickets yet? Grab your Ladies Day tickets before they sell out, as they do every year. For those wanting to make a full day of it, our Bottomless Ladies Day package in the Winning Post Suite is the one to book: a reserved table looking straight down the finishing straight, 90 minutes of bottomless Prosecco, beer and wine, and a spread of street food favourites, all for under £100 per person. We can't wait to see you rock the stands of Brighton Racecourse in your best look! Tag us on Facebook and Instagram with your pre-race prep, and don't forget to stop by our Flower Wall on the day for your chance to make the Style Awards Final and win £500.
