Looking Luxe for Less: Spring Racing Fashions on a Shoestring

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

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.