Freezing temperatures fail to steal thunder of fashionistas at Aintree Ladies' Day

 

Mike Hornby
Friday 05 April 2013 18:59 BST
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Freezing temperatures and cloudy skies have failed to steal the thunder of the fashionistas as Ladies' Day got under way today at the Grand National meeting.

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An estimated 50,000 people were expected at Liverpool's Aintree Racecourse for the second day of racing, which has become almost secondary to the breathtaking range of outfits on display.

Ladies' Day is a firm favourite with the fairer sex in the North West who have become known for pulling out all the stops in the fashion stakes.

Regular Aintree favourite Coleen Rooney, 27, who is eight months pregnant, tweeted her disappointment at not being able to attend today's festivities.

The wife of Manchester United and England star Wayne Rooney, said on the social network: "First time in 10 years am not getting ready for Ladies Day!!! Gonna miss it!! Have fun everybody!! !!"

Atomic Kitten star Liz McClarnon, 31, arrived at the racecourse with friends and wearing a cream Philip Armstrong floral design dress with a Dawn Wiggins hat made from a copy of the Daily Mirror.

She said: "I love Ladies' Day, for me it's the highlight of the Grand National.

"I love getting dressed up, I love the glamour, I absolutely love it.

"There is a bit of competition between the girls, especially in terms of the hats, but it's a good-natured competition.

"We're all here to dress up and have a laugh and a lovely time with our friends."

Stars of MTV's reality show The Valleys drew attention in jaw-dropping outfits each made from the Welsh Flag.

Nicole Morris, Carley Belmonte, Lateysha Grace and Natalee Harris wore designs by friend Clydeus.

Carley, 21, said: "This is the first time I've ever been to the races so I'm just so happy.

"I love my dress, we decided to pull out all the stops for today."

Commenting on the other fashions on display, Lateysha , 20, added: "I think we've stole the show to be honest.

"We're going to have a brilliant day and I think we'll be pretty legless tonight - I don't care whether it's a posh do or not."

Retailers say major fashion themes for the women this year will be monochrome and florescent colours, and fitted, Victoria Beckham-influenced designs.

The men will be influenced by Daniel Craig's traditional suits in Skyfall.

A highlight of Ladies' Day is the annual Matalan style competition, hosted by This Morning's Jeff Brazier, which offers a £5,000 prize to the best-dressed race-goers.

Brazier, 33, said: "The magic of Ladies' Day is the in the effort the girls have made, in the outfits and amazing dresses they've come out in.

"Because everyone has made such effort, there is a real variety of looks and that's what it's all about, you're not going to get two outfits the same."

"Liverpool is especially known for the effort the girls make when they come to Ladies' Day, that's a tradition now and it's great."

PA

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