It’s all about the hat at Brighton Ladies Day

Brighton Ladies Day returns with racing, music and head-turning headwear taking centre stage

There are few occasions left when you can wear an enormous hat without anyone questioning your life choices. Brighton Ladies Day is one of them.

Taking place this year at Brighton Racecourse on Thursday 6 August, the event sits at the heart of the venue’s three-day Festival of Racing. There will be six Flat races across the afternoon, but a large part of the fun happens away from the track as racegoers dress up and make a day of it.

And while a good dress may form the foundation, it is the hat that people remember. This is not the day for a tiny, apologetic fascinator that disappears into your hair. Think feathers, veiling, flowers, sculptural shapes and enough personality to start conversations in the parade ring.

We have some hot style tips from fashion and styling expert and sporting influencer Amy Christophers (@thatsportsspice) for choosing the right hat for the occasion…

Give your hat a Brighton twist

Ladies Day headwear does not need to cost hundreds of pounds or come from a designer milliner. A plain hat, headband or fascinator can become something original with ribbons, faux flowers, feathers, brooches, veiling and a carefully handled glue gun.

Brighton gives you plenty of local inspiration. You could add pearls, shells, sea-glass colours or a touch of seaside kitsch. Those feeling bolder might take inspiration from the Pavilion, Brighton’s music scene or even the city’s famously determined seagulls.

The key is to create something that feels like yours. Homemade and adapted hats have a character that mass-produced versions rarely match, and there is little chance of arriving to find someone else wearing the same one.

Start with the right base. A hatinator gives you the scale of a traditional hat with the lighter feel of a fascinator. A simple fascinator works well with feathers and smaller decorations, while a structured pillbox lends itself to a bow, brooch or short veil.

Charity shops and pre-loved sites are also worth checking. An older formal hat may look dated on the shelf, but remove the original decoration and you have a blank canvas for a few pounds. Local milliners and independent boutiques offer another route for anyone who wants something made with a little more finesse.

Racing, music and the Style Awards

The gates open at 12.38pm, with the first race at 2.38pm and the final race scheduled for 5.35pm. Roaming musician Jason Lee will perform throughout the afternoon, and a caricaturist will be drawing racegoers in their Ladies Day finery.

There is also a £500 prize in the Ladies Day Style Awards, so a strong hat could prove to be a worthwhile investment. Judges will look for racegoers who stand out across the day, whether their style is elegant, playful or unashamedly dramatic.

Once the racing finishes, Denise Van Outen will take over the decks for a live DJ set from a classic VW camper van, carrying the party into the evening.

Advance general admission currently starts at £23, with discounted tickets available for groups of eight or more. Children aged 17 and under can attend free when accompanied by an adult, subject to the racecourse’s terms.

So, gather your friends, find a hat and make it bigger, brighter or stranger than anything you would usually dare to wear. It’s all about the tit-for-tat as well as the tic-tac!

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