Ireland · 5 outfits
What to wear to Laytown Races
Outfits built to the dress code as the racecourse states it, with the reason each one passes.
where you are standing
General admission (beach)
Women
The dress code
Laytown publishes no dress code. It is a one-day meeting run on the beach, the only one of its kind in Ireland or Britain, so the ground is sand and grass bank. A Best Dressed Lady prize has been awarded (last verified 2019).
Outfit 1
Beach-smart
- Dresses
- midi dress in a fabric with weight
- Outerwear
- trench or tailored jacket
- Shoes
- flat leather boots, wedges or smart trainers
- Headwear
- small pinned hat or headband
- Bags
- cross-body bag
Why it passes. No rules; dressed up but practical for sand.
On the day. Mid-September by the Irish Sea: wind, soft sand, possible rain.
Outfit 2
Tailored and windproof
- Suiting
- wide trousers with a blazer
- Accessories
- silk scarf
- Shoes
- loafers or ankle boots
- Headwear
- felt fedora
Why it passes. No rules; trousers make sense on a beach.
On the day. Nothing to blow about.
What regulars wear. Sophie Hunter Millinery in nearby Drogheda has a races range.
Outfit 3
Seaside colour
- Dresses
- knit or shirt dress in a bright colour
- Outerwear
- packable mac
- Shoes
- espadrille wedges
- Accessories
- sunglasses
Why it passes. No rules; easy and cheerful for a novelty day.
On the day. Wedges do not sink in sand.
What regulars wear. Many locals dress as for a smart day out, not a Ladies Day.
Common mistakes
- Stilettos on a beach
- A big-brim hat in sea wind
- No jacket
Men
The dress code
Laytown publishes no dress code. It is a one-day meeting run on the beach, the only one of its kind in Ireland or Britain, so the ground is sand and grass bank. A Best Dressed Lady prize has been awarded (last verified 2019).
Outfit 1
Casual tailoring
- Suiting
- blazer with chinos
- Shoes
- desert boots or deck shoes
- Accessories
- open collar, flat cap
- Outerwear
- light waterproof
Why it passes. No rules; smart casual in the Irish sense.
On the day. Sand and wind.
What regulars wear. Dubarry deck shoes or boots are at home here.
Outfit 2
Country layers
Why it passes. No rules; practical.
On the day. Ready for a shower.
Common mistakes
- Fine leather-soled shoes on wet sand
Race days this covers
- Laytown Races · Mon 13 Sept 2027
Dress codes change. Check the racecourse's own page before you go: laytownstrandraces.ie