The ladies of Liverpool amped up the style stakes on Friday as they descended on day two of the three-day Aintree Grand National Festival in an array of polka dots, florals, frills and fancy fascinators.
And the guests were spotted swapping their glamorous heels for a pair of less-than-chic flip flops as they opted for comfort over style on their way home from a busy day at the races.
The low-key footwear was a far cry from the impressive fashion displays of the day – when racegoers wore stunning gowns in an effort to take home the coveted best-dressed Ladies Day award.
And the ladies of Liverpool certainly gave judges a tough job as they arrived in a flurry of precarious heels, statement hats and dramatic dresses.
Crowds of glamorous revellers were spotted carrying their shoes, some in Chi Chi London branded bags, as they donned a pair of basic white flip flops on Friday.
Many posed for photos with their friends as they headed away from a busy day at the Aintree Racecourse.
More than 150,000 were expected at the three-day meeting, which is in its 180th year and hosts the showpiece Grand National race on Saturday afternoon. The day will see over £25million spent in bets and while a jaw-dropping 20,000 bottles of bubbly will be consumed.
The guests at Aintree were spotted swapping their glamorous heels for a pair of less-than-chic flip flops as they opted for comfort over style on their way home from a busy day at the Grand National
Crowds of glamorous revellers were spotted carrying their shoes in Chi Chi London branded bags as they donned a pair of white flip flops
The Ladies of Liverpool took off their shoes after dressing up in precariously high heels in an effort to take home the coveted best-dressed Ladies Day award
Others opted to keep the party going as crowds exited the Aintree Racecourse after day two of the Grand National Festival
More than 150,000 visitors were expected at the three-day meeting, which is in its 180th year and hosts the showpiece Grand National race on Saturday afternoon
It is expected more than £25million will be spent in bets and while a jaw-dropping 20,000 bottles of bubbly will be consumed over the three-day event
Two revellers protected themselves from the evening chill in cream coloured trench coats as they swapped their heels for more sensible shoes
Another racegoer held her shoes in her hands as she carried two drinks across the Aintree Racecourse on Friday afternoon
A right giggle! These ladies looked picture perfect in white as they posed on a leather sofa placed between two pretty pink flower displays
Taking a weight off! A woman was eager to kick her heels off and sit down as she made a phone call after a long afternoon at the races
Here come the girls! Three ladies were seen strutting their stuff as they put on a fierce display while enjoying Day Two Ladies Day to The Grand National Festival At Aintree
Oh no! One woman snapped her heel as she made an applaudable effort to get the party started – using her umbrella as a makeshift microphone
Party spirit! Friends enjoyed a laugh as they made their way through the Merseyside course with one showing off by balancing a pint on her head
It’s hard work walking in heels! Friends decided to take a break from teetering in strappy sandals as they posed up a storm for the cameras
One group of ladies looked fabulous in bridal inspired ensembles as they opted for the monochrome look for day two of the three-day Aintree Grand National Festival 2019 in Liverpool.
An early bird couple were seen arriving at the venue in their best attire, with the female racegoer matching her pink heels to her dramatic dress, teaming it with a white blazer and wide rim hat.
Elsewhere a trio of women were seen arriving in coral-coloured ensembles with pretty fascinators, layering up to ward off the April chill.
One style maven took the theme of the day quite literally, and looked chic in beige jodhpurs, knee-high boots, a flat cap and a black blazer as she posed alongside her dapper partner, dressed in a tweed jacket and waistcoat.
Meanwhile A group of ladies injected a splash of colour to the dreary day as they arrived in a flurry of bright dresses, polka dots and head-turning hats.
TV presenter Alison Hammond was also seen among the first arrivals, bringing a splash colour in a cobalt blue cardigan and matching dress.
Turning heads! One lady made a statement in a pink glitter-encrusted jumpsuit in a daring attempt to win the daring Best Dressed award on Ladies Day while another opted for cheery florals
Giddy-up! A lady in yellow jumped on a toy riding horse provided by the RSPCA as she joined the festivities on day two of the three-day festival, right, while two ladies in red embraced ahead of the fun day, right, while a group of ladies got the party started as they ditched the cups and decided to drink the bubbly straight from the bottle on day two of the races
1920s glamour! An attendee pulled out all the stop by donning a flapper-inspired fringed frock (left). Another was glamorous in a ruched peach dress and a matching handbag (right)
What a display! A group of ladies turned heads in an array of stripes, polka dots, florals as they made their way towards the races today
It is the afternoon after all! One woman got the party started as she kicked off festivities enjoying a glass of the bubbly stuff as she joined racegoers for the annual day, while another decided to wear a flamingo hat on her head
One lady was seen drawing admiring glances from the crowd behind her as she had a go at horse riding at the three-day event
Presenter Charlotte Hawkins was seen arriving in a Rachel Trevor Morgan hat, a cobalt blue coat by Hobbs, a matching dress by Fallon K, and shoes by Steve Madden, styled by Debbie Harper.
Soprano Laura Wright opted for an all-yellow ensemble for the second day of the three day races after performing on day one of the event.
Elsewhere former Love Island star Olivia Buckland went for a blue and white crinkled frock and showed off her ankle tattoo with nude heels.
Vogue Williams was also seen wearing an Amanda Wakeley jumpsuit as she posed alongside husband Spencer Williams, dressed in a suave checked suit.
Hollyoaks stars Sarah-Jayne, Nadine Mulkerrin and Nikki Sanderson put on a head-turning display in trouser suits and an asymmetric striped dress.
Vogue Williams was also seen wearing an Amanda Wakeley jumpsuit as she posed alongside husband Spencer Williams, dressed in a suave checked suit
Cheers|! These ladies proved to be having a fun Friday night as they took the weight off for a few moments and enjoyed a rest on the pavement before posing for cameras
Who needs a glass… or even a bottle? One woman was spotted chugging a tasty alcoholic concoction straight from a jug while another went for a pretty Alice In Wonderland themed ensemble
Lads, lads lad! This group toasted the fun day as they put on a dapper display in grey suits and ties
Party! The women showed the men how to have a good time as they cheered on the horses at the races
A win! One woman looked elated while the men in the front row seemed less impressed at the outcome
Great spirits! These ladies looked immaculate despite a long day of celebrations as they toasted the end of day two
Meanwhile the finalists for the coveted Best Dressed award were announced in the afternoon.
Two ladies showed off their immaculate looks as they toasted the end of a successful day of celebrations, left, while two ladies in red put on their flip flops and continued to party
The panel – made up of ITV Racing stylist, Sarah Kate Byrne, Jay Hynd and a representative from the official Style Award Partner, Chi Chi London – revealed their final selection of glamorous guests in with a chance of winning.
Stacey Woodward, Luke Sugden, Emma Wakelin, Sue Moon and Kate Cook were all named as the most stylish attendees.
Sue Moon, 54, from Euxton, Lancashire was crowned winner of the annual style award, impressing judges with her mustard ASOS dress and black wide brim fascinator.
Sue goes home with a £35,000 Range Rover Evoque and a year’s supple of Chi Chi London dresses.
Thursday saw a few celebrity guest appearances as well as royal racegoers, with Zara Tindall and Princess Anne enjoying the races.
Elsewhere pregnant Beth Tweddle also made an appearance, while Love Island’s Chris Hughes was spotted alongside Sam Quek.
A woman was the picture of elegance in a pink Chanel-inspired coat, with pearl buttons, while her friend opted for a sophisticated red dress with a grey coat (left). Stylish! Kate Cook put on a monochrome display in a checked dress and coordinating accessories, bringing back old school glamour, and was named as a finalist for the best dressed award (right)
A whale of a time! A trio of selfie-taking ladies got into the party spirit as they enjoyed a tipple at the races in an array of ensembles
Hollyoaks stars Sarah-Jayne, Nadine Mulkerrin and Nikki Sanderson put on a head-turning display in trouser suits and an asymmetric striped dress while Vogue posed up a storm in her pinstripe jumpsuit
Posing up a storm! Another grou of guests got into the party spirit as they enjoyed a glimpse of sunshine on the day
Soprano Laura Wright opted for an all-yellow ensemble for the second day of the three day races after performing on day one of the event, left, while Nikki Sandseron looked great in a mint Miss Selfridge suit, right
Olivia Buckland was seen wearing a blue and white tie-die frock and showing off her ankle tattoo in nude heels, left, while two glamorous racegoers posed in their ensembles, right
Three ladies turned heads in their pastel ensembles and pretty headpieces as they arrived to get the party started
Joining in on the fun! Guests were spotted having a whale of a time as they enjoyed a go on the horses provided
On Friday the guests continued to up the style stakes as they descended on the annual festival in an array of polka dots, florals, frills and fancy fascinators
Despite it being a grey day, the weather proved to me much better than the previous day when it rained for much of the races
Pretty in pink! Glamorous guests brought the party inside as they turned the venue into a dance floor and sipped on the bubbly provided
Pretty in pastels! While Towie’s Amber Turner opted for a pink lace dress, former Love Island star Olivia Bowen donned a light blue and white off the shoulder number as she playfully poked her tongue out for the camera
Guests were spotted having a whale of a time as they enjoyed a go on the horses provided, before getting the party started by drinking straight from the bottle.
While Aintree may not have the royal touch Ascot does, it certainly holds its own in the fashion stakes when it comes to flashing the flesh.
As well as killer heels, thigh-skimming dresses and plunging necklines, the event is famous for its display of flamboyant headgear.
Soldiers of the Irish Guards were seen marching through the grounds as day 1 of the Grand National Festival 2019 at Aintree Racecourse kicked off.
Strike a pose! Hollyoaks stars Sarah-Jayne, Rory Douglas-Speed, Nadine Mulkerrin and Nikki Sanderson smile for the cameras as the attend Aintree today
No rain today! A group of excited ladies posed outside as they made the most of the the milder weather on day two of the festivities
Onto a winner! Eagle-eyed racegoers lined the course in the hope they’d catch a glimpse of their horse crossing the line in first place
What a turnout! These ladies looked photo-ready in an array of necklines and hemlines along with matching hats and clutches for the big day
Looking alright in white! One group of ladies looked fabulous in bridal inspired ensembles as they opted for the monochrome look for day two of the three-day Aintree Grand National Festival 2019 in Liverpool
She’s a natural! One lady showed off her horse-riding skills atop a toy house as her pals took pictures
Fascinating fascinators! The ladies of Liverpool showed off their best head gear as one lady matched her floral dress to her head band, another teamed her red dress to her rose-encrusted hat and one went for a bright yellow head piece
Day two of the event three-day event, is famously Ladies Day, where female racegoers get out their best outfits and put on an array of daring displays, with the ‘best-dressed’ receiving the coveted award.
According to racecourse bosses, there’s no strict dress code for the festival as there is for Royal Ascot.
Guidance on the course website reads: ‘Although there is no official dress code, smart is preferable and is often adopted.
‘Aintree is a spectacle of colour throughout the year, with many using their trip to the racecourse as an opportunity to showcase their favourite raceday outfits. Hats are optional too, but are frequently worn.’
Fancy dress and ‘offensive clothing’ also make an appearance on the list of banned items this year.
Here come the girls! A host of revellers put on an extremely glamorous display, with the horses sending the ladies into a tizz
Chin chin! The ladies enjoyed a tipple as the day progressed, with one guest showing off candy floss pink hair and her pal boasting impressive tattoos, right
Pictured: Racegoers pose on Ladies day at the Randox Grand National Festival horse race meeting
Going for nude: Elsewhere guests opted for a nude palette, wearing beige coats, pale pink frocks, tan sandals and sand coloured suits
Ladies arrive ahead of the Ladies Day: A group of women looked chic in monochrome outfits with one lady standing out in orange
A group of excited ladies got straight to the drinks as they giggled their way through an impromptu photo session on the second day of the races
In the spirit! Some male racegoers showed off an unusual array of patterned coordinating suits on the day
Wrapping up! Elsewhere others made sure they layered up in wrap coats after Thursday proved to be a washout for many ladies who quivered their day through day one of the races
Resting their feet! A group of guests took the weight off their aching legs as they enjoyed the day
These guests got into the party spirit as some ditched their heels for sandals and let their hair down ahead of the weekend
In high spirits! A group of colourfully dressed ladies are pictured at the Randox Grand National meeting, Aintree racecourse,Liverpool
Ladies in red! Elsewhere two women injected a splash of colour in scarlet coloured dresses and matching floral inspired headpieces
Looking lovely! A group of guests arrived in polka dots and florals with pretty hats as they posed for pictures
A group of ladies turned heads in an array of pretty pastels as they made their way through the grounds
Smile for the cameras! Hollyoaks star Sarah-Jane looked bold in blue while Jacqueline Jossa almost blended in with the floral background as she wore a similarly patterned off the shoulder dress
Actress Amy Jackson looked chic in a black trouser suit embellished with heart-shaped buttons, teaming it with a monochrome hat and heels
However, in recent years event organisers have been trying to encourage a more conservative approach.
In 2015, an optional ‘style code’ was released in an effort to smarten up the event and encourage more sophisticated fashion.
The guide was devised by fashion writers from Vogue and Tatler in conjunction with Justine Mills, owner of Liverpool designer boutique Cricket – a favourite with WAGs such as Coleen Rooney.
It was inspired by the Coco Chanel quote: ‘Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman.’
At the time, John Baker, the northwest regional director for the Jockey Club, which owns Aintree, said he hoped to help give the event a facelift.
Making the street their runway! Female racegoers arrived in a flurry of frills, glitter and towering heels as they prepared for a day of festivities
Turning heads! A group of ladies injected a splash of colour to the dreary day as they arrived in a flurry of bright dresses, polka dots and head-turning fascinators
Feeling blue! Posing against a flowerwall these ladies certainly made for a pretty picture as they posed in sky-blue frocks and pretty bags
Lots to talk about! Two women in transparent heels were seen arriving at the venue in white blazers and pale pink dresses, left, while two others enjoyed a drink as they admired the fashion on display
Security officials were seen making stringent security checks on Friday morning ahead of day one of the much-anticipated racing event.
Racegoers have always been subject to strict security procedures brought in after the IRA bomb scare in 1997, with only small handbags allowed to be brought into the event.
Bets will be placed on the top racehorses getting in on the action, including Clan Des Obeaux and Bristol De Mai in the Betway Bowl.
Hold on to your hats! One lady teamed her bright sequin-encrusted frilly frock with her hat as she beamed during her arrival to the festival
Others battled the high winds with skill as they arrived in an array of colours for day two of the three-day Aintree races on Friday
Pretty in pastels! An array of guests opted for different hues of blue and pastel frocks, matching them to their colourful heels as they arrived
More than £1.5million has been invested in trying to protect the welfare of horses, following the recent deaths of horses Sir Erec and Invitation Only at Cheltenham, which sparked animal welfare protests.
Aintree has said it has ensured the safest ground is available to be raced on at all times, regardless of the weather and climate conditions.
The grass is cut to precisely four inches for the whole circuit to provide plenty of cushion. Even the species of grass, make-up of the soil and measured watering is considered to ensure the ground is safer for horses to run on while the take-off and landing areas around the fences have been created with greater spring in the ground.
Jockey Leighton Aspell, who won successive Nationals in 2014 and 2015, said: ‘There are two things particularly that have changed for the better. Firstly the core of the fences is now much softer and safer and secondly the bypass of the fences, particularly for the loose horses. Every year, Aintree takes another step in the right direction.’
Veterinary teams assess the health of horses as soon as they arrive to certify they are safe to race and not a danger to themselves or other horses.
Grand! A group of ladies were seen putting on a classy display in elegant frocks and hats, while another lady opted for a purple ensemble and matching hat
Matching in red! Two ladies posed alongside a soldier who posed with his Irish wolfhound
These ladies turned heads in their form-fitting drocks as they navigated the damp pavements ahead of the festivities
A grand display! These glamorous guests brought a welcome splash of fluorescent colour to the festivities
An early bird couple were seen arriving at the venue in their best attire, with the female racegoer matching her pink heels to her dramatic dress
Stylish in shades! Spencer Matthews and Vogue Williams turned the fashion stakes up a notch as they donned some chic sunglasses for the event – despite the chilly weather conditions
Security officials were seen making stringent security checks on Friday morning ahead of day one of the much-anticipated racing event
Dancing al fresco! The ladies made the most of the milder weather and enjoyed a dance on the grass during the races
Racegoers arrive by train to attend Ladies Day on the second day of the Grand National Festival horse race meeting at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool,
Turning heads! Two ladies put their best feet forward as they made their way across the pink carpet and enjoyed a tipple
More than £1.5million has been invested in trying to protect the welfare of horses, following the recent deaths of horses Sir Erec and Invitation Only at Cheltenham, which sparked animal welfare protests – the race seen today