With the Galway Races kicking off and Ladies Day fast approaching Goss HQ have your survival guide for the most fashionable day in the horse racing calendar.
Thousands of fine fillies will flock to the Ballybrit race track to battle it out for the coveted and prestigious prize of Best Dressed Lady.
Here is a list of the necessities you will need to make the most of the fun filled day of betting and dancing and to ensure you can party the night away in the West of Ireland.
1. Killer Heels
Ladies Day in Galway takes place this Thursday 30th July, and with a long day of racing, betting, fashion and frolics there is so much to think of!
The party kicks off at the track and continues into the city centre late into the night so the number one priority is shoes.
We all fall victim to the fabulous, high, glitzy heels which are better known as killer heels as in the most painful footwear. And as pretty as they look, you want to be able to hit the dance floor in the Radisson so pack a pair of flats.
If you really can’t bear being in pumps for the day, bring those not so stylish, workesque heels along with you.
2. Spare underwear
For some reason we like to squeeze into spanx but remember it could be twelve hours of eating and drinking so comfort is key as the sun sets over Galway Bay.
Pack a spare pair of undies or have them back in your accomodation so you can really tear up the dancefloor and enjoy a cheeky Supermacs in the early hours. If you are planning on wearing tights, bring one if not two spare pairs with you.
Or if you decide to hit the streets of the city later in the night bring tights in case it is chilly.
PS Penneys stock some emergency roll up panties that you can bring with you – so you can get comfy once you want those spanx off!
3. Dry Shampoo
Again it is a long day of moving and shaking, nervously watching the horse you backed race around the track, standing outside waiting for public transport and it can all be a little much for your upstyle or curls.
We are obsessed with Dry Shampoo in the Goss.ie office, especially Batistee, and they have a great range from blonde to brunettes to different scents.
This is also ideal if it starts pouring down – let’s be honest you won’t have time to go home and have a shower.
4. Deodorant
There is nothing worse than sweating through your gorgeous gúna on race day – so pack in the deodorant girls!
Obviously a small roll on works as well but we love the mini Sure bottles, and you can choose from loads of different scents.
If at least one of you in your group has a bottle you’ll be sorted for the day.
5. Hair Pins
Make sure to pack a full packet of hair pins and hair ties. You may not need them but I can guarantee you your friends will and it’s always great to be the go-to friend at the races.
Let’s face it we all have pins in every bag, corner of the room, car and make up bag so gather them all together and pack them into your bag.
Bobby pins are also handy for pinning a dress, holding a corsage in place and they can even act as a safety pin if you tear your outfit or the zip bursts.
6. Glue
Wearing fake eye lashes and false nails? Remember to pack BOTH glue bottles.
Have you ever managed to keep eye lashes and nails all day and night after one application? (Exactly).
Both bottles of glue are super compact so they are easy to bring along just remember where you put them so you can locate them in case of an emergency.
Pharmacies and Boots are you best options for glue, and if you’re stuck in Galway check Matt O’Flahertys at the top of Eyre Square.
7. An Umbrella
Let’s face it, it’s Galway so it is guaranteed to rain at least once during the stylish day.
All your fancy makeup and hair will be washed away to crap if you don’t bring a brolly!
Don’t get an expensive umbrella because the chances of it making it’s way out of the city is pretty slim to nil.
If you forget to bring one with you, don’t worry, they are sold outside the grounds of the race track near the fun fair.
8. Band aids
Most of us fall victim to ‘breaking in’ our new heels at race week and it only means one thing – blisters!
So pack some band aids and blister plasters as well as the gel soles. Give your feet as much TLC as possible because it can be a long day on your feet with a lot of walking to and from the best dressed tent to the betting ring and back to the parade ring.
Also the pathways surrounding the track are gravel and grass which can be a cause for injury.
9. Extra cash
Do you want to spend an hour queuing for the ATM while the races are taking place?
Make sure to get cash out in Galway city before descending on the race track. Bars do not take card so bring as much cash as you need.
There are plenty of ATM machines in the city centre for when you return to party the night away.
You’ll never know when you will need that extra drink or when you’ll need to buy that umbrella you will undoubtedly forget so bring extra cash ladies!
10. A big handbag
If you really are going to get everything on our list then you will need a big bag to carry it all.
Get the oversized handbag and get everything including the kitchen sink in there. You can always bring a clutch along for the photos – designate one of the girls to bring a big bag at least.
You will be grateful when the balls of your feet are stinging and you can whip the pumps out of your bag.
11. A spare dress
You may have put weeks and weeks of planning and preparation into your outfit for the day.
Everything from the head piece to the nail polish on your toes but it is the busiest race meeting of the year and it tends to get very busy and as the evening comes to a close there can be a chance of Guinness spilling and even torrential downpour
So just in case have a second dress packed because a Guinness stain isn’t a good luck on Instagram.
