Winners of the g Hotel & Spa Best Dressed at the Galway Races

What a day we had the 2016 Galway Races Ladies Day. There was so much amazing style and magnificent millinery, it was a tough decision for our judges to select their finalists. They strolled the enclosure at Ballybrit from 11am to 1pm and selected 20 finalists for the g Hotel & Spa Best Dressed, all of whom were invited back to the #gHotelBestDressed marquee for bubbles and bites.

In the meantime, our g Hotel & Spa team were roaming the enclosure with our photo props and plenty of gorgeously dressed and fun loving racegoers got into the spirit of the day with lots of photos appearing on social media channels with the official hashtag of #gHotelBestDressed. Marietta Doran was also busy on the pop up runway interviewing finely dressed attendees of all ages including the legendary Kitty who was celebrating her 90th birthday and has been at every Galway Races since she was a wee girl. At 2.30pm, the crowds gathered at the #gHotelBestDressed Marquee for the announcement of the winners.

the g Hotel Best Dressed Lady Winner was the lovely Lisa McGowan, an insurance broker from Tullamore in County Offaly and owner of Lisa's Lust fashion blog. Lisa was wearing a hat by Northern Ireland designer, Marie Claire Millinery, a stunning 'Strawberry & Lime' dress which is from her own soon to be launched collection, a handbag from Glitz, jewellery from Dessert Diamonds Ireland and shoes from Dunnes Stores.

the g Hotel & Spa Best Hat went to worthy winner Ciara Murphy from Dunboyne in County Meath, a Garda in STore Street in Dublin. Ciara’s hat was by Fiona Rafter Millinery in Dunshaughlin and is described as a bronze feathered piece with arrows and rose buds inspired by Game of Thrones.

Our judging panel included Triona Barrett General Manager of the g Hotel & Spa, Louise Duffy Today FM radio broadcaster, Mandy Maher from Catwalk Models, Melanie Morris from Image Publications and Bairbre Power Fashion Editor with the Irish Independent. We would like to thank all those that supported Ladies Day at the Galway Races 2016. It was our first year as sponsors of the Best Dressed competitions and we look forward to next year. 

Throughout the Galway Races, you will be assured of stunning style, gorgeous cocktails, delicious food and music every night of the week at the g Hotel & Spa. From chart topping favourites to smooth Jazz, our entertainment line up at the g Hotel will have you on the dance floor well into the early hours. A full section of delicious pre and post racing drinks and food options are available for race week. To make an enquiry for 2017 please contact the team in the g Hotel & Spa on stay@theg.ie or 091 865200.

Choosing a Hat for the Races

A headpiece is the crowning glory of your Galway Races outfit and the right hat is just as important as your dress as it can make or break an outfit. As sponsors of the official Best Dressed Lady and Best Hat competitions (#gHotelBestDressed) at the Galway Races as well as hosting our own Best Hat (#gBestHat) event at the g Hotel & Spa as part of our Ladies Day After Party, we have researched all of the expert advice on choosing a hat for the races.

Choosing a hat should be a pleasure. There are no hard and fast rules, only guidelines to help and assist. Show your personality and choose something comfortable that you love. Experiment until you find the hat you like best and makes you feel fabulous – you are worth it!

A day at the Races and in particular Ladies Day at the Galway Races is one of the few occasions where we have an opportunity to be daring and express our personality. Make a statement at this year’s Galway Races and turn to one of Ireland’s leading milliners by choosing one of their beautiful creations whether sleek & refined or show stopping & bold. If you have chosen your outfit but are still looking for the perfect hat, bring your dress with you and most milliners can match a piece or create a sensational contrast for stand out appeal.

Matching your hat to your figure

It is important to your physical features into account when choosing a hat. Your height and shoulder width is the best guide for dictating the brim width of your hat. Generally the taller you are, the wider the brim you can carry off. Here are some hints that subtly alter proportions.

A petite woman may be best with a smaller hat to keep your look in proportion and should you have a very ornate headpiece, many stylists suggest an understated dress to showcase the hat. Try to avoid hiding your neck if possible as this can take from your height.

A tall woman could opt for a wider brim ensuring you take shoulder width into consideration to maintain balance. Wide brims also look well on fuller figured fashionistas and ladies wearing wider skirts.

Choosing a hat to suit your Face Shape

It is very important to choose a hat or headpiece that works for your face shape.

Round face – More structured or square styles usually suit round faces best. Ladies with rounder faces may consider adding height to your crown to elongate your face and a small brim can also add to the effect.  Cloche inspired hats look great and it can be fun to play with slants.

Heart face – A tilted style headpiece can really compliment and highlight your cheeks and distinct a jawline. If you have a very petite face, avoid being overpowered by a large heavy looking crown.

Square face – With defined features and stronger bone structure than other face shapes, ladies with square faces tend to look great in rounder styles so opt for a hat with softer lines. Narrow crowns can be unflattering unless they are balanced by a trim that gives it both softness and width. Asymmetrical silhouettes look well.

Oval or Long Face – Avoid hats with tall crowns and this will only further elongate your visage. A wider brim will balance an oval or long face but remember to use your shoulder width as a guide or you may overbalance!

Some Interesting tips from the Horse & Hound Magazine

• Traditionally ladies hats are worn down to the right and up to the left. This means that most small hats sit on the right hand side of the head.
• In general it is more flattering to have your hair parting hidden beneath the hat.
• If you are wearing a bold print or lace dress, avoid wearing a hat with an elaborate or fussy trim.
• If you want to make a statement with your hat, pair it with a simple outfit.
• Avoid matching your hat, bag and shoes as it will cut your silhouette in too many places.
• Make sure your hat feels secure and comfortable so that you will not have to re-adjust it during the occasion.

For more information on the Ladies Day Best Dressed Events please see the g Hotel & Spa website - official sponsors of the Best Dressed Lady and Best Hat competitions at the Galway Races. Also hosts of a Best Hat with Philip Treacy Prize and Most Stylish Man competition during the Après Racing Party which kicks off at 7pm on Thursday 28th July 2016.

Hats featured in this blog post are from from Carol Kennelly, Aoife Kirwan and Edel Ramberg.

Best of the Summer Festivals in Galway

Galway is known as Ireland's Festival City and is currently bidding for European Capital of Culture 2020. The wealth of spectacle and magical events is embroidered in the very fabric of Galway. From toddlers to centenarians, everyone who lives in Galway has been involved, participated in and experienced at least one of our many festivals. Some of our favourites include:

The Galway Sessions which takes place over a week in June and showcases taditional Irish music with visiting celtic friends from Scotland and the rest of Ireland. Enjoy toe tapping music with talented musicians in great Irish pubs.

Currach Racing - row, row, row your boat along the Wild Atlantic Way! There are a host of traditional rowing boat races around Galway in the summer months from The Spiddal Currach & Hooker Regatta (Feile Curachai agus Báid Seoil an Spideal) over June Bank Holiday weekend to the Roundstone Regatta in July. The Roundstone Regatta is one that dates back to the 1890s and incorporates both currach racing and traditional sailing vessels of the West Coast (Galway hookers, leath bháid and gleoiteógs) as well as family entertainment.

The Galway Film Fleadh is one of Ireland's longest running film festivals and was instrumental in the city becoming one of only five UNESCO Cities of Film in the world. The festival takes place during the second week in July and has welcomed many hollywood stars, successful movie and TV stars as well as budding writers, actors and producers. We love the Pop-Up Cinemobile!

Now in its 38th Year, the imaginative and magical Galway International Arts Festival delivers extraordinary experiences throughout the cobbled streets of Galway! Past performances have included multi award–winning theatre companies such as Druid, Northlight Theatre, The Royal National Theatre, Propeller and the Bristol Old Vic. Captivating dance has inspired audiences from the Fabulous Beast Dance Company and the Hofesh Shechter Dance Company amongst others. Big Top festival fun and intimate gigs abound including artists such as Primal Scream, David Gray, Brad Mehldau, Blondie, Kronos Quartet, Bon Iver, Joni Mitchell and St Vincent. Whether you are looking for blisteringly funny comedy or world premieres of theatre, join the thousands of people that descend on Galway for a whirlwind two weeks of theatre, music, comedy, street performers and a few surprises.

The Galway Races - think style, dining, fun, fashion and heart stopping finishes ... running strong for seven whole days. A local's favourite is Monday night at the Races with fantastic atmosphere and plenty of entertainment. We will be there in force on Thursday 28th July for Ladies Day as the g Hotel & Spa are sponsors of the Best Dressed Lady and Best Hat competitions .. all before the Apres Racing party at the g!

At the end of August, the annual celebration of our traditional sailing vessels 'Galway Hookers' takes place in Kinvara, 30 minutes south of Galway City. The 'Cruinniú na mBád' festival remembers a time before electricity - when the majestic Galway Hookers sailed between Connemara and Kinvara laden with turf for the locals to use as fuel. Each August at this festival in Kinvara, you will see some vessels that are over 150 years old, others newly built. Many of the families who sail the hookers have been doing so for generations.

For more information and hotel deals in Galway - See www.theghotel.ie