A Dress for Punchestown (make sure it’s waterproof)

Posted by Jennie on Thursday, April 26, 2012 · Leave a Comment

Have you had last-minute Punchestown tickets bestowed upon you? Or are you a masochist, drawn to an ‘aul kickabout in a mucky swamp (are the races actually taking place under water at this stage…)? Are you panicking about what to wear? Fear not! I present you with an easily accessible Punchestown Outfit. And if you’re quick, you can get it in the nick of time for Punchestown Ladies Day. Tomorrow fyi.
I’m a big fan of Non-Specific-Outfit-Purchasing. So, yes, you need a dress for Punchestown. But do you need a ‘Punchestown’ dress? No. Get yourself an outfit that you can wear to Punchestown, to a wedding, to lazy Sunday brunch, to your sister’s Holy Communion and to 2-for-1 cocktails on Thursday night.
And if you are spending money on ANYTHING at this particular moment in time, it simply must be neon.

Behold! The neon skater dress! From Topshop. Flattering to all shapes and sizes, bright and sarky, and a ripping good template to dress up and down.

Neon, yellow skater dress

The kicks you choose gotta be comfortable, so wedges are a shoe-in (hnar hnar) and these metallic and grey suede sporty numbers are just the ticket. (That’s if you haven’t realised that wellies are actually your best option…)

Sporty, metallic wedges – for racing round the track

A cover up will be much needed also. This simple black mac will tie up the look nicely, without conforming to OTT race-going attire (this usually involves all sorts of ruffle- and feather- adorned wrap and throwover things)

Black drape mac (with excellent interior pockets for stashing your winnings)

Now, in my book, an outfit is not an outfit unless it has some blingin’, bangin’, take-your-eye-out, statement jewels. For the look above, I’d be inclined to lash a ginormous gold neckpiece on top, and hold back on everything else. The options below are a bit pie-in-the-sky, being a) inordinately expensive (the Yves neckplate is in the squillions) and b) only available online (but good for future reference).

Now, the excellent news is that the dress, shoes and jacket can all be acquired in Topshop (POST-HASTE!), the jewels are a no-go…but inspiration at least. For those really looking to push the boat aout (how many more sailing/ water riffs can I get in here?), there are some fierce looking gold body harnesses in Topshop.

Go forth and win me some dollar bills yo!