TOP RACE DAY TIPS WITH CAROL KENNELLY

With racing season in full swing, we’re thrilled to team up with milliner and many time Ladies Day winner Carol Kennelly to bring you expert tips on how to stand out from the crowd at the races. From choosing the perfect headpiece to dressing from the inside out Carol shares her insider advice for turning heads on Ladies Day.

Tip No. 1:

Dress for yourself

‘Always dress for yourself, dress in something that makes you smile’ are Carol’s first words of advice. We love this tip as we think confidence is your best accessory. When you’re happy and comfortable in what your wearing it shows and that’s what makes you truly stand out.

Here Doranne is the perfect example, looking effortlessly chic in her favourite colour - black! This outfit is by Irish designer Roisin Linanne and allows her personality to shine through. In keeping with Irish design Carol is wearing a striking two piece from Andtate. This bold colour is radiant just like Carol’s creative personality and looks absolutely breath taking. Each look is adorned with one of Carol Kennelly’s headpieces of course!

Tip No. 2:

Embrace Colour

‘Pick a colour that can’t be missed on the race course’ Carol’s second tip for getting noticed on ladies day is to embrace colour. Carol advises understanding whether you are a Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter can help you choose shades that naturally enhance your skin tone, hair and eyes. And wearing the right colour can completely transform your look and mood.

Carol, a self proclaimed Autumn, exudes confidence in this vibrant highlighter green Moskada dress enhanced with a quirky headpiece in the same shade. Doranne on the other hand is a true winter and stuns in bold bright colours. You can see how the definite tones of this Celia B dress create such a striking look, finished off with this cerise pink oversized hat, perfect to keep you in the shade when the sun shines.

Tip No. 3:

Choose Irish Design

‘When choosing your race day outfit, why not look to Irish designers first?’ Carol’s third tip is to celebrate Irish design for your day out. There’s something incredibly special about wearing Irish designers not just the craftsmanship that goes into them but the stories behind them too, something we at Macbees have always felt very passionately about.

Of course all of Carol’s pieces are Irish, made here in Kerry by Carol herself using traditional millinery techniques but with a modern twist. We have matched her headpieces to this stunning vintage inspired two piece that Doranne is wearing from Andtate and Carol is looking endlessly elegant in the brand new Roisin Linanne Nico opera jacket.

Tip No. 4:

Dress from the inside out

‘A visible VPL will ruin the most beautiful of outfits so always pay special attention when choosing your underwear’ Carol’s 4th tip is to dress from the inside out. We are lucky to have the fabulous Sarah Jayne’s lingerie shop next door to us at Macbees where you’ll find Violetta on hand to advise on all things underwear.

For this look Carol looks knock out in this figure flattering dress from Belgian design house Natan while Doranne has chosen a sophisticated trouser suit from Italian designer Beatrice B. Both finished perfectly with another Carol Kennelly original

Tip No. 5:

Balance your look

Carol’s next piece of advice is to balance your look ‘If you want your hat to stand out go simple with your outfit and vice versa’

Here Carol is wearing a sleek pink suit from iBlues and styled it with her fabulous feathered creations to give a cohesive and polished finish. The simplicity of the suit allows the hat to stand out.

While Doranne pairs the drama of her tired red two piece from Meimeij with even more drama on top! Choosing an equally statement strawberry topped boater. But as Carol says rules are made to be broken so always go with what your love and have fun with your look.

A massive thank you to Carol for sharing her thoughtful styling tips that are guaranteed to take your race day look from great to unforgettable.

All of Carol’s pieces featured here are available on her website carolkennellymillinery.com