Andrea Roche, judge: "I like a woman who looks comfortable and is dressed to suit her figure. Black can be a bit predictable so maybe go for colours that you wouldn't normally put together. I wouldn't necessarily go for somebody whose outfit cost thousands of pounds. I could go for someone with a bag from Dunnes, a suit from the high street and an expensive hat. And I tend to choose somebody who looks like they are wearing the outfit, rather than the other way around. There are some amazing hats out there. When you look back, it's always the women with the hats that have won. A lot of women buy their outfit around the hat so I would say find your hat and don't be afraid to try it on."

Celia Holman Lee, judge: "I don't go with a look in mind; I go looking for somebody who can teach me a look. I never say, 'This is what you should be doing, that's what you should be doing' . . . it's up to the individuality of the person who's going to put themselves forward. It's important that you walk around the house the night before. You think you have a fantastic hat but then it's blowing off you and you're fidgeting all day. We all know heels kill us but make sure you can walk in them.

There are women whose shoes are killing them, the hats falling off and the straps on the dress are coming down. Because there are so many people, it's a little bit this way and a little bit that way with the judging, so it's one slight thing that can throw you."

Eva Hayes, Best Dressed Lady regular:

"The don'ts are not to wear high heels that you can't walk in because the pain will come out through your face. Don't strip off . . . dress very elegantly; sometimes people wear too little and it looks a bit nightclubby. Have your fake tan perfect . . . no orange elbows or heels . . . and have your make-up nice and fresh, not too plastery. If you have a headpiece, make sure it's clipped on and that it's not falling down all day; and if you're too small, don't wear a hat. Don't have everything coordinated . . . mixing and matching is nice. And a wrap is always a good idea."

Faith Almond, Best Dressed Lady regular: "The girls who don't go racing are in a bit of a quandary with what to wear but these days it's more relaxed and the younger girls will just go out in what they're comfortable in. I have outfits from five years ago: a black suit is a black suit but you can put it together well. It doesn't have to be expensive. If you're going racing all the time you can't be keeping up that expense. I think if you go down that road and hope to win something, you're under a lot of pressure and you can't enjoy it."