Pippa O'Connor.

The personal shopper at Harvey Nichols store in Dundrum Town Centre has advice for ladies aiming for the top prize at Ladies' Day at Kilbeggan Races this Friday. "Pay great attention to the cut, colour and texture of the outfit you're wearing. Be aware of colour trends and textures - there's a lovely brocade texture coming through at the moment," says Elizabeth Moore.

"And accessories are hugely important: they stamp your personality on the outfit," adds Elizabeth, who hopes to be at Kilbeggan on Friday to see Pippa O'Connor head the team of judges who will choose the Ladies' Day winner.

For the winner, there's a fantastic prize, thanks to sponsors Dundrum Town Centre and Wineport Lodge. Worth more than €2,500, the prize will see the winner receive a €1,000 shopping spree at the Dundrum Town Centre plus the services of a Style Counsel stylist and a Woman of Style weekend at Wineport Lodge, which includes a weekend in the Captain's Suite with dinner, lunch in the Bollinger Lounge, a culinary class, powerboat trip to Athlone and toe to toe pampering. If you want to win, there's one essential you should not be without, advises Elizabeth.

"I don't recollect anyone ever winning a best dressed lady competition without a hat, or at least a fascinator, or without having their hair dressed with flowers. Having something like that really adds to an outfit," says Elizabeth.

The savvy contestant will have factored in the possibility of bad weather. "Fashion and style are two different things. Your outfit also has to have practicality. For example, if you wear heels, they're going to sink in the grass, and you won't enjoy yourself.

"The judges will look at whether your outfit is appropriate, and there is a huge trend at the moment for block heels and, if you can, carry a little parasol as opposed to having to have an umbrella in your bag. A parasol looks elegant. It's about being appropriate for the occasion, it's about enjoying it, and letting your confidence through."

Elizabeth predicts there will be a lot of Irish designers represented at Kilbeggan on Friday, and advises to watch out for the creations of milliner Edel Ramberg.