SCHOOL GATE STYLE

Belfast-based, clothes-loving, shopping-obsessed, mum of 3. Wearable fashion on a budget for busy women

Sunday, 16 September 2012

A Day at the Races

Friday saw the Victoria Square Ladies Day at Down Royal Racecourse so I went along with some of by blogging friends to try out our luck on the horses.
After all the debate about dresses and tights and bare arms, Friday turned out to be a good ole Northern Ireland brass monkey day and if there's one thing I cannot be - it's cold! So I had a total re-think and decided to wear a great coat to the races..in fact you saw it last week on the school run, my Karen Millen trench coat.
Now, I should clarify quickly, that I did wear a dress underneath...but it was such a cold day, I didn't take the coat off until that evening! My black patent clutch is an LK Bennett Avon Clutch (last seen here)
Here I am with the gorgeous Gemma-Louise who wore a fab monochrome dress from River Island.
and here is the lovely Sara Neill in her stunning one-shoulder dress and Katrina Doran in Clements Ribeiro & Grainne Maher Millinery. Katrina encouraged us all to get betting on horses with pointy hips (or something like that!) so I had great hopes for Number 8 but he lost me my £5...
Here is a close-up of my head-piece, which my wonderful mother in law bought me in Debenhams. Despite the extremely windy afternoon, it stayed put and was so comfortable to wear. 
Didn't win a penny but had a fun afternoon with the girls....followed by a great night out with another special girl who just got engaged and who kindly took this picture of the dress that was hiding beneath my coat..a stone coloured River Island number (last seen here)
Cue a very tired mummy on Saturday but the kiddies were kind to me and I got through the day in one piece. Hope you had a lovely weekend girls...do check out the blog this week for a few great posts, including the Styled By You - School Gate Special ... coming later in the week. Can't wait!

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26 comments

  1. Have to say that is a fabulous coat for the event. Does all the work for you as it's an outfit in itself. Looks like you had a fabulous time and all the other ladies look lovely too - will be popping along to have a nosey at their blogs.

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    1. Thanks Sue - I'm so glad I got it out last week as it was when I saw it lying close to where the hat was that the idea was sparked. Avril x

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  2. Looks like you had a great day Avril! Cold is one thing you cannot be at the races...I remember a bad day we had at Punchestown one year. Made a beeline for the indoor bar to get heat!! Lovely headpiece:) Have a brilliant week:)
    ~Anne xx

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    1. Thanks Anne - as a childhood regular at Punchestown, I was ready for the biting wind you get at the races! Thank goodness for indoor bars :) Avril x

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  3. I adore that Trench Coat, its gorgeous! Shame you didn't get to take it off though as your dress is so pretty and I love the headpiece, how nice of MIL to buy it for you xxx

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    1. Thank you Sharron...I'm looking forward to wearing that dress a bit over the winter. It's so comfy to wear and makes a nice change from black. Avril x

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  4. Whoo sounds like a great day,I've always wanted to go and get dresses up,I bet it was fab.You all look great loving your hats too :)maybe I will get there one day he he ...

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    1. Thanks...you should totally go...it was great fun and the betting was quite addictive! Avril x

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  5. Looking good! If you have a look at today's post on my blog, you'll see that you and your Karen Millen mac get a special mention!!

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    1. Aw...thank you for the mention! Loved the post and the trench coats you linked to! Avril x

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  6. You look so chic and appropiate for a day at the races!! ;-)
    Patricia

    http://misstoptenimage.blogspot.com

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  7. I love horse races and you look great with that head-piece and your trench coat is gorgeous!

    Don't Call Me Fashion Blogger
    Bloglovin'
    Facebook

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  8. Glad you took the coat off at night, looking fab tho with it on. You'd look good in a black sack! Xx

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  9. Glad to have found your blog.....you all look so regal & princess like in these looks!!

    REBECCA
    www.redtagchiclosangeles.com

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  10. amazing hats!
    http://coffeebeansandbobbypins.blogspot.com/

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  11. You look SO beautiful! I love your dress, your trench, and your hat!

    xo, Yi-chia
    Always Maylee

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  12. love the coat, a well-fitted trench needs so little else as it's such a stand-alone piece, looks great!!
    do love the dress underneath though too :-)
    x

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    1. Thanks Pippa - I was sorry not to have shown the dress off more during the day. It's a really nice fit. Thanks for dropping by! Avril x

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  13. You look fab! Wish I had seen you. I was there braving the cold in a blue dress, nude patent shoes and bag and a pashmina in the same colour. 'twas a great old day out!

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    1. Aw Lorraine...shame to miss you. Your outfit sounds lovely. Was a great day...and night! Avril x

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  14. I have never been to the races because I feel the cold so much. Your lovely coat has made me rethink.

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  15. you & your friends looked so cute together! love the little hats & your trench coat is fab. very jealous you can wear that kind of thing right now. It's been about 100 degs here in Cali!

    www.theShopaholic247.com

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  16. I wish head pieces and fascinators were the norm in North America. Though I would be broke.

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