Fashionistas in Musselburgh for biggest ever Ladies Day

The champagne was flowing and the bets flying, as around 9000 gathered for this year’s sell-out event following the decision by organisers to boost capacity at the Racecourse by a further 700.

And hardy fashionistas from across Edinburgh and the Lothians were determined not to let the wind and rain spoil the party.

Sara Muirhead, who was unveiled as the Face of Ladies Day by the Evening News two weeks ago, graced the event in a tropical-coloured Ellen Tracy maxi-dress and called the experience a “great girlie day out”.

The 30-year-old mother of one said afterwards: “I’m still trying to thaw out! The weather put a dampener on things but people had fun. Everyone was still smiling.”

As the Face of Ladies Day, Sara, from Baberton Mains, was also one of the judges at the event and took particular pleasure in handing a cheque for £3000 to 21-year-old Dana Turnbull from Restalrig – crowned Queen of Style for an outfit which combined a cream-coloured, cut-away vintage dress with platform, patent leather shoes.

“I won’t ever get the chance to do that again,” she said. “To be able to give something like that to someone who has done a really good job in looking so good and really make their day – it was fantastic.”

Karen Taylor, commercial manager at Musselburgh Racecourse, said: “The crowd really got into it.

“The day is about celebrating racing with fashion – the racing less so maybe. It’s about fashion and a great social occasion.”

Vhairi Matheson, senior sales manager at Jenners Beauty, said: “It was an amazing day. Jenners brings that fashion element and there’s such a mix at the event, with everything from the high street to designer labels.”