Austerity chic at the races

At the Galway Races, there was plenty of fashion form, with people dressing up for the day that was in it, without blowing the budget. By ROSEMARY MACCABE

ON A SUNNY Monday afternoon at the Galway Races, the race ground is teeming with people jostling for space at the parade ring, pressed up against the barriers ahead of the main stand, or just queuing for a drink. In such a sea of block colours, feathered fascinators and bejewelled clutch bags, it can be difficult to find people who stand out.

Although best-dressed lists frequently feature women dressed head to toe in Chanel, fresh off the helicopter from Ballintubber, and toting the latest must-have clutch that costs more than most people’s monthly mortgage repayments, this best-dressed list wanted something a little bit different. We looked for people who, perhaps, hadn’t had their hair blown out especially for the occasion; women who weren’t on their second layer of fake tan, and who hadn’t invested in a “statement” headpiece from the local milliner. And, of course, the first word in modern chic? Austerity.

(1) Josephine Fahy and her daughter-in-law (2) Emer Fleming were the first duo to excite our interest – patterns are relatively rare in Ballybrit in the first week of August, and we loved how this pair seemed to riff off one another. Fahy's coat is by Ella Boo ( ellaboo.ie), an Irish designer who specialises in timeless yet quirky pieces designed to stand out, and Fahy's colour-pop coat certainly did. Emer Fleming told us she never enters the best-dressed lady competitions – "it's too much hassle" – although she comes to the races every year. She'll miss ladies' day this year as she's heading off on her honeymoon; she got married last Friday.

(3) Declan Rohdich is originally from Portrush but has lived in Galway for the past nine years; his jacket served as a nice counterpoint to the navy and brown blazers sported by the male masses, although he couldn’t quite recall where he bought it, except that it was “a shop in Athlone”.

(4) Katie Gammell, from Naas, was at the races with her family – they had a runner in the first race, which finished third, so it was well worth the trip. We loved how her outfit was young, fresh and summery, but seemed in no way restrictive – there are few things worse than a small child in a tailored dress, especially on a hot day. Comfort is key when it comes to childrenswear.

It was impossible not to notice Orla Dunican (5); in her sunny yellow dress from Warehouse, she was visible from a distance, and it was perfectly offset by the royal blue tones in her belt, shoes and necklace.

This may not be the official selection for the best dressed at the Galway Races, but they get our nod for thinking outside the race-going box and for dressing up for the day that was in it, without blowing the budget.

READER QUERIES

Tips for night out tops

I'm quite broad with quite a large chest and I find it difficult to find tops to wear on nights out. I don't want anything sleeveless, too high or low-necked, as I feel both really emphasise my bust. I don't want to dress like I'm going to a teenage disco, but I don't want to look middle-aged either – any tips?

– Tina, by email

When it comes to nights out, tops seem to come in two varieties: demure, meaning long-sleeved and high-necked; or, well, not demure, so we're talking slit to the navel, spaghetti straps and skintight fabric. The key to buying tops is to look at slightly higher end labels that don't cater for the teeny-bopper end of the market.

Whistles' Sylvia blouse (1, €38) is a great example of a versatile, grown-up but not too "mumsy" blouse. It's button-up, which means it can be as racy or as covered-up as you like, while the coloured print makes it more fun. Team with skinny jeans or a pencil skirt and ankle boots.

This sleeveless sweatshirt by Reiss (2, reduced to €70) is a great all-rounder. The embellished neck detail does two jobs: it detracts attention from your bust, and makes an otherwise daytime piece suitable for night-time. And the sleeves are short enough not to roast you in a nightclub while simultaneously covering your upper arms. I'd wear it with a flirty skirt in the warmer autumn months.

Warehouse's lace-insert tee (3, €26) is another wardrobe staple. It's deceptively low-necked; the lace detailing makes it demure but flirty without exposing too much cleavage, and its capped sleeves will conceal the upper arm while keeping you cool under pressure. Tuck it into a high-waisted skirt or wear with jeans.

The full-busted woman

When does "normal" becomes "plus size" – is it just something that's not stocked in average shops, or is there a definitive number? When I was a size 12, I found it hard to find clothes that fitted properly, thanks to my boobs. Now I'm a 14, and I still can't always get a size 14 with ample room for them. Where do I find clothes that are built for women with boobs?

– Niamh, by email

In response to your first question, there is no definitive figure. In the US, plus size is generally thought to start at a size 12 (a UK size 16). In UK sizing, plus size can start anywhere from a 14 upwards, but the crucial aspect is that specifically plus-sized clothing is clothing that has been designed with a plus-sized consumer in mind. So a "straight" size brand that sells its designs in a size 18 is not, strictly speaking, selling plus-sized clothing, because the items are being designed for a size 8 model.

As a size 14, you're kind of in a bind because you don't, strictly speaking, need plus-sized clothing. But you have some options, the first of which is Pepperberry (bravissimo.com/pepperberry), an online clothing brand designed by the same people who brought us Bravissimo. Pepperberry designs and sells clothing for the fuller-busted woman, ranging in size from 8 to 18, and catering for a variety of occasions, from casual to workwear and occasionwear. Each item also comes in three sub-sizes – curvy, really curvy and super curvy – so you can really tailor items to how busty you are. This Ponti zip-back dress (1, £69/€87) is available in sizes 8 to 18, as is this Ribbon waist dress (2, £59/€75).

Trashydiva.com – forgive the name – is another online shop that sells dresses that suit an hourglass figure. It doesn't carry a huge variety of styles and its aesthetic is vintage-inspired. If you're into Rockabilly-inspired dresses though, they have some gorgeous examples. The Dottie dress in tribal print (3, $163/€133) is one of our favourites; there's something slightly Burberry-inspired abut the print, yet it has that timeless 1950s shape.

Of course, rather than shopping in speciality shops, you can try the slightly more difficult route: shop around. I find that certain stores are better than others for catering for the curvy customer. A-wear can often throw up great gems in terms of blouses that fit really well but offer plenty of room up top. Warehouse and Oasis are others that often seem more generous in their "curve allowance", and Karen Millen is another that seems to offer a decent womanly shape, although you will almost definitely have to go a size up.

Lastly, think about fit. High-necked items will rarely suit (or fit) well. Tailored dresses are unlikely to fit every part of your body; opt for a wrap in a jersey fabric or a more draped style. Go for a V-neck over a round-neck every time and don't be tempted to go a size up because a top doesn't accommodate your bust. If it doesn't fit, it doesn't fit. Your silhouette will thank you for it.

Read Rosemary Mac Cabe's fashion blog Fash Mob at irishtimes.com/blogs