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An ICU nurse from County Mayo living in Galway has been named Best Dressed Lady at The Lodge at Ashford Castle Ladies Day, held at Ballinrobe Racecourse on Monday evening. Her carefully styled outfit won over judges and earned her a luxury stay and a cash prize.
Style that caught the judges’ eye
Michelle Manning impressed judge Marietta Doran with a creative two-piece ensemble that blended classic elegance and thoughtful detailing. The panel singled out the balance of proportion and finish that set her look apart from strong competition.
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Prizes and runners-up
For her victory Michelle received a getaway to The Lodge at Ashford Castle and €1,000 in cash. The event organisers also awarded dinner for two at Wilde’s Restaurant to each of the four other finalists.
Mixing high street, second-hand finds and personal touches
Her outfit combined a gingham top bought on Vinted days earlier with a cream midi skirt from Poca & Poca. A statement hat came from Not Just Hats by Caron Hogan in Galway, while her bag and shoes were from Zara.
Michelle added a homemade element: she fashioned earrings from spare buttons taken from the gingham top and finished the look with a gold brooch she borrowed from her mother, Phil. Her husband, Niall, an engineer, helped with the final construction.
Recycling and a lucky skirt
Michelle said she first wore the cream skirt when she won a competition in Naas in 2019, and deliberately brought it back for Ballinrobe. “I’m thrilled. It is so exciting because it is really stiff competition,” she told EVOKE, calling the skirt “a very lucky skirt.”
Life beyond the races
The 44-year-old, a mother of four, said she faces a busy, emotional week at home as her youngest and oldest daughters finish pre-school and secondary school respectively. The win added a welcome celebratory note to that schedule.
Reflecting on her husband’s small role in the victory she laughed that she will likely bring him to The Lodge after he helped glue and sew the button earrings. “He deserves it,” she said.
