Stakes high for best dressed women at big Galway festival

FINALISING the outfit for Ladies Day at the Galway Races nearly carries as much stress as getting kitted out for a family wedding such is the high standard of style at the Ballybrit festival on the day.

And that standard seems to increase every year thanks to the incentive of the Best Dressed Lady competition, sponsored by Anthony Ryans and judged by a panel of national celebrities.

This year that panel is comprised of celebrity stylist, Lisa Fitzpatrick, whose own fashion sense is always quite spectacular; Bairbre Power, fashion editor of the Irish Independent; PJ Gibbons, Editor of Social & Personal magazine; Mandy Maher, Catwalk Models; and Patricia McCrossan, Managing Director Galway Now.

But, of course, there’s another incentive, the prize, which is worth a whopping €12,000, consisting of a one carat diamond solitaire pendant valued at €8,500, a shopping spree worth €1,500 in Anthony Ryans and €1,000 in cash.

The Best Dressed Lady will also be presented with a Lancome presentation pack worth €500 and a corporate hospitality package for the Galway October meeting. The prize for the winner of the ‘Best Hat’ category is a €1500 shopping spree at Anthony Ryans, while the Wear Irish winner will receive a voucher for €500.

Cora Casserley, Marketing Manager Anthony Ryans, who have sponsored the competition since 2003, advises ladies to consider the time of year and the weather conditions when selecting their outfit.

“While we are keeping our fingers crossed that the wonderful weather we have had earlier this summer will return for Ladies Day,  we remember only too well the non-stop torrential downpour that was Ladies Day last year,” said Cora.

“I would advise ladies to consider the fact that they may well need a light summer coat, or Mac, and/or umbrella (as opposed to a dainty parasol) – and appropriate shoes.” Other bits of advice from the panel of judges is to dress appropriately for a day race meeting and not for a night club.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.