Butterfly effect as chic Carol wins race in fashion stakes

IT WAS the sort of day when timid souls might have reached for the wellies, but that was certainly not the case for the brave women who turned out in style for Ladies Day at Listowel races.

All the usual superlatives were being trotted out to describe the haute couture that was on display in the bustling enclosure, but it was Tralee’s Carol Kennelly who really caught the eye and was crowned the undisputed winner of the fashion competition.

According to the experts in such matters, she looked just the picture in a beautiful ensemble, including a mustard short coat worn over a simple black dress.

However, it was her matching butterfly headpiece, which she made herself the night before, that turned many heads and momentarily distracted punters from the serious business in the betting ring.

“I’m totally surprised to have won because the style and colours here are just unbelievable,” she said.

“The day started miserably with showers and a friend went off to buy a pair of wellies, but everything turned out great with sunshine and blue skies for the afternoon.”

She received a e1,000 shopping voucher for Chic Boutique in Listowel and a personalised Louise Kennedy Tipperary Crystal vase as her prizes.

Sponsor Mary O’Flaherty of Chic Boutique said Ms Kennelly’s colours and style matched current trends.

“She’s very well up with what’s happening in fashion at the moment. Overall, standards were extremely high at the races today, the last festival meeting of the year,” Ms O’Flaherty said.

“What impressed me most was that people made such an effort.”

The judge was Marietta Doran, the celebrity stylist who has a regular slot on RTÉ’s Off The Rails programme.

She said the style was getting better each year, making it more difficult for her to pick a winner.