The Randox Grand National takes place in April over three days – this year 2026, the dates are  Thursday 9th April until Saturday 11th April. 

Official Dress Code – There is no official dress code -it is encouraged to come dressed to feel your best. But please note when choosing your outfit, this event is famous for its glamour and high fashion with most of the ladies pulling out all the ‘stylish’ stops and really going to town on their outfits. Fancy dress is NOT permitted. Sportswear – avoid wearing team colours/sports kits.

The Opening Day usually attracts the seasoned racegoers who come to spot the future champions in the Foxhunters Steeplechase which features amateur jockeys and their horses. This group of racegoers will dress for the weather so no short summer dresses for them. However this does not mean they skimp on style: tweeds and wool can be chic and striking as any more flimsy ensembles. 

Day 2 is Ladies Day where all things style and fashion are in the spotlight. This is also the day of The Style Awards. 

Day 3 is the Grand National Day featuring the ultimate challenge in Jumps racing. This famous race attracts spectators from every spectrum, and sees outfits ranging from tweed to ethereal dresses. The glamour continues from Ladies Day – after all this is a Saturday and many of the spectators have not only come for the famous race but also the after-parties. Their outfits need to look as good in a nightclub or busy bar as they do at the racecourse.

All prices are correct at time of publishing.

Debenhams – Official Style Partner of The Jockey Club

Debenhams is the Official Style Partner of The Jockey Club and offers a great choice of dresses for a day at the races, including the collaboration of Milliner Lisa Tan x Coast providing a winning combination of headwear and dresses – all available via Debenhams

Shine on the day in Lisa Tan x Coast Structured Satin Pleated Peplum Midi Dress £139.00. In fashionably light blue (part of the Colour of the Year 2026 palette) and with on trend peplum detailing. £139.00 Add subtle drama with Lisa Tan x Coast Bow Detail Wide Brim Hat with its statement bow and netting. Made of Abaca £149.00. Go tonal in a darker shade of light blue with Coast’s  Tamara Satin Bow Sling Back Stiletto Court Shoes  £65.00. But don’t feel too blue, grab some sunshine with Coast’s Olivia Satin Bow Detail Grab Bag in a contrasting yellow but keeping the bow theme. Was £45.00 now £40.50. Accessorise with Latelita’s Baroque Pearl Ribbon & Bows Drop Earrings handcrafted in 925 sterling silver dipped in 18ct gold, features Cubic Zirconia in a bow design Were £231.00 now £185.00

Dazzle them on the day in Lisa Tan x Coast  Bow Embellished Long Sleeve Midi Dress with sequin bow embellishments and a pleated skirt. In antique rose. £179.00 Wear with Lisa Tan x Coast Bow Detail Fascinator in a blush shade made from abaca £119.00 Step into the spotlight with Coast Wide Fit Tilly Sling Back Pointed Court Shoes In rose gold with diamante and pearl embellishments. Were £59.00 now £35.40. Pluck Coast’s Ava Flower Detail Grab Bag In blush with large floral satin embellishment.£49.00. Finish off the look with Otis Jaxon London’s Rose Gold Large Rose Quartz Pyramid Earrings sterling silver drop earrings with hand-cut pyramid labradorite gemstones set into a structured brushed silver surround. £87.25

Like Debenhams, most brands are starting to bring out their spring/summer collections. So if you’re looking for a fun day out at the races but prefer to steer your budget away from designer outfits, this is the time to shop and you’ll still come away with a show-stopper. 

The Style Awards 

Held on Ladies day which is Friday 10th April – The Style Awards has tremendous prizes on offer, and attracts fashionistas from all over the country, as well as from Aintree’s home town of Liverpool. It also attracts the world’s media and the Ladies’ Days Competitors know all eyes are on them for a few hours at least. Spectators in this crowd are rarely the horsey type – they are out to impress and they know it is springtime even if the weather doesn’t agree. The awards categories this year are: The Best Dressed, The Best Suited and the Best Hat. All categories are open to any age and gender.

Best Dressed

The Best Dressed – The stakes are high so you need to stylishly stand out from the crowd. Place your bets on relatively new fashion designers or the smaller fashion brands who only create limited quantities of each outfit. This way you have less chance of someone else turning up in the same outfit.

Desire Avenue’s Corset Dress in Cotton Jacquard Boucle  is a corset inspired shape with moulded cups and boning. The sweetheart neckline frames the décolletage while the skirt creates the romantic feeling. It’s detachable sleeves help you to create different styles. Was £380.00 NOW £190.00 If the day is a bit nippy you can always remove the sleeves and wear the matching Cotton jacquard boucle Jacket . Was £200.00 NOW £120.00. Bring out the baby blue in the dress with Leblon London’s Viva bag in sky blue. £240.00 and the lime green with Merve Bayinder’s Gecko Florescent Green Headband £550.00. In fluorescent green, this eye catching headband is embroidered with multi colour flower sequins, decorated with two multi colour crystal embellished frog brooches and a multi-colour crystal decorated chameleon. Go big and bold with Multi Drop Necklace by Lucy Quartermaine  in silver £1135.00. This standout piece features flowing silver drops for a striking molten effect. Complement with their Single Drop Earrings £125.00. Make a bold step forward in Meenu Graziani Rio Pump £225.00. A classic pump style in black satin with a statement buckle of black, white and pearl gems.

Best Suited

This category is brand new for 2026 and recognises impeccable tailoring.

Add a touch of subtle sparkle to your tailored trouser suit with Leblon London’s Lui Blazer £755.00 and matching Lui Trousers £350.00. Both feature an all-over sequin design that adds just the right amount of shimmer and the sequins give a modern take to the classic houndstooth pattern. The trousers are wide legged for a tailored feminine look. Complete with Leblon’s Linda Pussy Bow Shirt in black silk £320.00 and Universe Blade Pump by| Casadei®  in black suede embellished with metallic stones to catch the light. Was £580.00 now £290.00 Pair with Elena Shvab’s classic Lorraine White Brim Hat Handcrafted in textured white paper straw, trimmed with a silver headband and a shimmering silver pompom with hand twisted leaves.  £425.00  Add a pop of colour with Leblon London’s  Viva Leather Bag in bright red £240.00 Accessorise with Lucy Quartermaine’s art deco inspired Chrysler Earrings £145.00 and  Art Deco Armour Ring – a true statement piece. £460.00 Both are handcrafted from 925 sterling silver with a rhodium overlay for lasting shine, inset with white topaz gemstones.

Best Hat

Another new category for 2026, the Best Hat category was created to honour the bold and showstopping headpieces usually worn at Aintree’s Ladies Day. Although the weather is still unpredictable at this time of year, it is all about the glamour so many GN hats/fascinators will be adorned with feathers and blooms. For an investment piece at the start of the spring/summer race season (and the summer wedding season) ,milliner Merve Bayindir offers luxurious fascinators and hats you will want to wear time and time again. L-R Midnight Whisper Blue Wide Brim Hat £3300.00 Respondeo Lemon Yellow Disc Fascinator £1750.00 Fuchsia Flame Fascinator £1500.00 RIVANE WIDE BRIM HAT £3100.00

The Foldable Shoes

For the ladies who like to socialise in the bars on the ground floor, high heels are the favourite to show off those tanned legs. If anyone can wear high heels all day at the races it is the Grand National lady! Luckily Aintree is mainly concrete with no grass to get the heels stuck in or muddied. However Aintree is a massive racecourse and potentially racegoers could be doing a lot of walking. If you are more inclined to move around and explore the racecourse then comfier shoes would be a better choice. And in order to get the best views there are a lot of steps to climb up to the top of the stands. So bringing along a pair of foldable flats to change into would be wise.  Cocorose London specialises in Foldable Shoes | Folding Ballet Flats for this purpose. Pop them in your handbag or their own travel purse and when your feet do need a break from your high heels you have them to hand. Cocorose London offer both soft leather and faux leather ballet style flats.

Top L-R Leopard Print Ballet Flats Pink Leather Loafers   Leather Ballet Flat Pewter Silver Bottom L-R Navy Blue Leather Ballet Flats Pink Leather Ballet Flat with Glitter Toe Woven Leather Loafers in Dusky Pink

Debenhams images courtesy of Debenhams PR team

Leblon London images provided by Leblon London

Desire Avenue images courtesy of Desire Avenue

Merve Bayinder images courtesy of pr agency Black PR

Meenu Graziani and Lucy Quartermaine courtesy of Amanda Ferrari at We Are PR UK

Elena Shvab images courtesy of Elena Shvab

Casadei images courtesy of pr agency Purple PR

Cocorose London images courtesy of Cocorose London