Category: Horse Racing Fashion

Syncing Your Handbag and Headwear for Spring Racing Carnival

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WHETHER it’s a straw boater with grosgrain ribbon, simple metallic headband or elaborate floral crown created from fresh blooms, millinery is a must trackside.

It’s a chance to embrace tradition, express yourself and take your inner show pony for a trot. Melbourne racegoers don’t hold back when it comes to millinery.

In 2015 we bought 75, 000 hats and fascinators for Cup week alone. A further 30,000 handbags were sold in Victoria to women planning to debut their new accessory at the races last year.

David Jones head millinery buyer Sarah Clancy told News Corp that crown-style headbands in metallics and leather, bohemian style florals and veiling are popular this year. Navy is also having a moment.

“Black has always been our strongest colour and people are looking for something a little softer,” she said.

She said the preferred order of shopping is dress, hat, bag, and shoes.

Floral dresses work well with a headpiece in one colour picked from the print that is then replicated through the bag and other accessories.

“Tonal always looks beautiful. It’s always a classy, chic look.”

Traditionalists often advised against buying your hat first. But Clancy said if you find a headpiece that fits well, suits your face and makes you feel amazing don’t let the fact you don’t have a thing to wear with it put you off!

This strategy works particularly well if the headpiece has bold colours, she said.

When matching a dress to a hat the silhouette is key.

“If they have chosen a hat in a dark colour, they would choose a more classic silhouette, something geometric, maybe not floral, elements of suiting,” Clancy said.

“Headbands work better with a softer flowing frock.”

There are some rules that should never be broken.

Clancy said fascinators are always worn over the left eye and hair should always be worn up to allow the piece to sit properly.

Most stylists agree that when it comes to pulling an outfit together the most obvious choice is to go with the same colour for your shoes, hat and bag.

This works especially well for Derby Day’s black and white dress code.

A white dress paired with black shoes and accessories looks polished and is easy to pull together – we all have at least one pair of black heels and a decent black bag in the wardrobe.

The other days on the spring racing calendar usually call for colour, but that doesn’t mean you have to have a rainbow of accessories at hand.

A nude shoe and bag work with just about any shade and can be paired with headwear in neutral tones.

Until recently the “matchy matchy” look was considered pretty old school, especially on the runway.

But the fashion wheel has come full circle and the recent spring fashion shows featured a lot of matching accessories, bags and shoes.

Perfectionists also consider the hardware on their bags and ensure that it doesn’t clash with their jewellery or buckles on their shoes.

If you decide to buy a new bag for the races a small shoulder strap bag is your best bet.

It will hold your essentials – lippie, phone, wallet, keys, band-aids and sunnies – and leave your hands free for champagne and race book. Opting for a neutral tone in beige, grey or black will increase its versatility.

Looking Luxe for Less: Spring Racing Fashions on a Shoestring

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Racegoers are tipped to fork out more than AUD $53 million on fashion and beauty across the Spring Racing Carnival with an average punter spending about AUD $1200 on a single day at the track. But there are plenty of ways to defray the cost without compromising on style and to survive Spring Racing Carnival on a budget.

Fast Fashion

Global retailers H&M, Zara and Topshop now have brick and mortar outlets in Melbourne, and their collaborations with high-end designers make it possible to be both fashion and budget conscious. Homegrown retailers such as Kmart and Target are also offering on-trend race-wear for less than the price of general admission on Derby Day. Most also sell headwear with prices starting at just $10.

Style with a conscience

If you have the time to do a little legwork your Caulfield Cup outfit can boost the community coffers as well as your confidence. Op shops are renowned fashion treasure troves with designer bargains just waiting to be found.

Some, like the Brotherhood of St Laurence specifically cater to the Spring Carnival with shopping tips and examples of racing outfits on the organisation’s website. The advice includes frequent visits to check out new stock and being prepared to try on styles you might not usually consider. Paying close attention to accessories – from retro sunnies and vintage bags for the ladies and fedoras and bow ties for the gents – is also recommended. At least one racing club has embraced the second-hand trend, hosting a Fashions On The Field competition devoted to op shop outfits. Muswellbrook Racing Club in country New South Wales holds an annual Op Shop Fashions on the Field in February. Entrants must provide a receipt to prove that their outfit was purchased at a charity shop.

Hats for hire

Millinery is often the most expensive element of a race day outfit. A frock can easily be worn again, but the cost per wear ratio on hats and fascinators is usually high (unless you’re a Brit with a lot of wedding invitations).

Hiring your headwear is an economical way to look the part without having to invest a lot of money, and you won’t need to find anywhere to store that hatbox when the carnival is over. Online sites such as designerhathire.com and themelbournehatco.com.au specialise in renting designer headwear. Prices start from $60 for a headband or fascinator at Designer Hat Hire, and the site operates a pop-up shop during the Spring Carnival.

The Melbourne Hat Company is even more affordable with a range of crowns and headbands starting at just $30. The business does not charge a deposit and all headwear comes with a plastic hooded poncho to protect it (and you!) from the rain. The Melbourne Hat Company also allows you to hire two pieces at once, perfect for those with invitations to multiple race days. You can also arrange to try on the headpiece before borrowing to ensure it suits you and your outfit. Standard loan times for both sites are three or four days providing ample time to return the piece.

You’ll be All White with the A-List at Caulfield Cup Carnival

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WITH the nation’s big name designers on speed dial, front row seats at fashion shows and plenty of cash to splash, whipping up a Caulfield Cup Carnival outfit is hardly a stretch for most celebrities.

Luckily for the rest of us following in their fashionable footsteps is relatively easy with many of Melbourne’s most recognised ladies happy to share their style via social media.

This year the Melbourne Racing Club and David Jones have invited some of our most followed style mavens to share their take on Spring racing fashion.

Nadia Bartel is leading the charge as the 2016 BMW Caulfield Cup Carnival Style Ambassador. She is joined by Face of the BMW Caulfield Cup Carnival Elyse Knowles.

Bartel is known for her fashion blog Chronicles of Nadia and appearances on the Brownlow red carpet with husband AFL footballer Jimmy Bartel.

Her blog, which has more than 200,000 followers, covers new trends, shopping finds, and beauty tips.

Bartel will be using that know-how as a judge on the panel of Caulfield’s new fashion competition.

Instead of a traditional runway, racegoers are invited to take part in a professional photo shoot, complete with hair and makeup artists, photographers and an editing suite, before entering their top three pictures via social media.

“The new Westfield Style Stakes competition will connect with a wider group of racegoers and will encourage new entrants to get involved as there are no daunting runways – it’s just a fun photograph!” Bartel said.

Prior to the start of the carnival, she predicted racegoers would be ditching the frock in favour of suits and separates with lace in light blue, pink and lilac also popular.

Her own favourite colour – white – is also likely to be a key trend.

“There is something about wearing all white that makes me feel a million,” she blogged earlier this Spring.

“Wearing white from head to toe may not suit everyone, but I always feel effortless and fresh when I wear it.”

Her fellow celebs clearly all got the memo in time for last weekend’s Caulfield Guineas.

All white ensembles were the runaway winners with Elyse Knowles, stylist Lana Wilkinson, WAG Brit Davis and fashion blogger Chloe Kermeci all donning the hue.

Bartel has even included tips on nailing the all-white look on Chronicles of Nadia.

They include adding different textures such as lace, linen or sheer panels and mixing shades of white together.

She also recommends a natural beauty look to complement the all white ensemble with a red or orange lip to avoid looking “too pretty”.

Bartel also favours black accessories to complete the package.

She also has an answer to the age old question – What comes first? The frock or the hat?

“Always choose your outfit first and coordinate your millinery with your outfit.”

David Jones fashion ambassador for the carnival Olympia Valance was a lone wolf at the Guineas in the celebrity pack with a bold red lace dress paired with a gold headpiece at Guineas.

Seasoned Mares Unhappy With New Fashion Stable

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FASHIONISTAS will swap the catwalk for photo booths at Melbourne Racing Club’s new look Fashions on the Field, kicking off at the new Caulfield Guineas Fashion Stable.

Instead of clutching a number and showing off their style on the runway, entrants in this year’s competition will have a mini-styling session before having their photos taken, with their three favourites put to the judges.

A new people’s choice award will also be run on social media in the days following the event.

A “squad” category for groups of two to eight has also been introduced.

The action will all take place in the Fashion Stable, a new trackside fashion and lifestyle precinct sponsored by David Jones.

The Fashion Stable will also house a spacious lounge area and trackside bar, flowing with Chandon and Catalina Sounds as well as premium food.

Those who love a stylish accessory will be able to buy a unique Chandon champagne flute to take home.

The changes were announced not long after the major sponsor for Fashions on the Field – Chadstone – bowed out after more than 10 years of bank rolling the event.

The naming rights for the new format – the Style Stakes – is now held by Westfield.

The MRC says the reformatted event aimed to appeal to a broader audience.

MRC chief commercial officer told News Corp that it would be more inclusive with people who didn’t want to get on stage to compete able to take part.

Not everyone is looking forward to the new format.

Seasoned competitors have flooded social media with concerns about the changes at Caulfield with some threatening to boycott this year’s Fashions on the Field (FOTF).

Many have voiced their disappointment via Facebook page It’s All About the Sash, set up by Em Scodellaro for the fashions on the field community.

After writing to the MRC and presenting them with a survey conducted via the Facebook page Ms Scodellaro was given a thorough briefing about the new precinct.

In a recent post to her followers Ms Scodellaro said the precinct boasted a “huge catwalk” that would feature parades showcasing fashion available at David Jones.

The parades would be similar to those run at Melbourne Spring Fashion Week and would “bring fashion to the racegoer”, she said.

Ms Scodellaro said she was told by the MRC that their statistics showed a decline in entries to FOTF.

“I did mention that this could be partly due to the decline in prize money over the years attracting less participants,” she said.

She also pointed out that the over 40s category had been overlooked in the new format.

“They had their own category in the past… this was a major draw card for entrants who had entered previously,” Ms Scodellaro said.

She said the MRC agreed to take those concerns on board when planning future events.

DJ’s biggest fashion rival Myer is also shaking things up for the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Myer has scratched its traditional marquee in the Birdcage for Oaks Day, with an exclusive ladies lunch to be held in its place.

The country’s most celebrated and dynamic women, including politicians, philanthropists, actors, artists, business leaders and entrepreneurs have been invited to the event.

Fillies In The Stalls For First Spring Start

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Tradition is always in style at the races, and the spring racing carnival fashions are no exception. Lady-like dresses in modest silhouettes are long-time favourites and this year’s racegoers will be spoiled for choice with the current trend towards feminine frocks. Lace, soft pastels and sheer detailing will be out in force along with pretty pleats in mid length skirts and drop waisted dresses.

Turn back the clock

The decade of hippie chic is being revisited on the catwalks and that same vibe will be reflected trackside with ladies wearing the 70s on their bell, ruched or flared sleeves. Pantsuits and wide leg trousers also ruled the runway at the David Jones Spring Racewear launch, and the look will be emulated at the races, while fringe detailing is also enjoying a moment and may get a run.

No thorns in these roses

Fresh floral headpieces will be the pick of the millinery bunch this year. The crown-style fascinators embraced so enthusiastically in 2015 (Game of Thrones anyone?) are being taken to the next level with Melbourne florists working around the clock creating bespoke pieces for clients.

From simple and sweet garlands to bold and regal high crowns there are options to suit all styles. And there’s no danger of being caught wearing the same headpiece twice.

The fashion-forward will be stepping out in a brim. From preppy boater styles with jaunty ribbons to more eclectic downturned “lampshade” styles, proper hats are enjoying a return to favour.

Less is always more

Some trends are best left for the after party. If we’re lucky we won’t be seeing any bold cut outs, underwear as outerwear and latex couture (thanks Kim K) trackside.

No mean ‘feet’

It doesn’t matter if you are sipping Moet in a marquee or knocking back a Savvy B on the public lawn, a day at the races involves a lot of standing around and walking. Ladies who don’t want to be hobbling, or worse yet barefoot, by the main race will still be on trend in chunky block heels, mules, metallic loafers or quirky flats.

Suits are odds on

Unless you’re aiming for an appearance in that zany montage of racegoers at the end of the nightly TV news, the suit is the only real option for the guys. A well-tailored classic two piece in charcoal, grey or navy with crisp shirt in white, powder blue or pale pink and tie with a traditional pattern is always a winner, but race days also offer a chance to flirt with bold colour and mix-up the accessories.

Check out the blokes

This year’s best dressed punters will be sporting checks, with the window check favoured in classic two pieces or mismatched separates. The British style will be taken up a notch with the return of the waistcoat in single and double-breasted options. The boys used to have access to a cupboard full of ties but workplaces are far more casual than two decades ago. The skinny tie is on the way out for the races, but not quite back to kipper-size just yet.

Making a statement

In terms of spring racing carnival fashions, block colours are not just for the girls. The gents will shine this year in jewel tones such as emerald, ruby, sapphire and amethyst. If you really can’t stomach a suit, a sports jacket paired with a lighter coloured pair of trousers is also acceptable trackside attire. The gents are also giving the ladies a run for their money in the hat department. Panamas and fedoras were the titfer of choice in 2015, and this year the boater will join them.