Melbourne Cup Day Styling Tips

Traditionally Melbourne Cup Day fashion is associated with a whole lot of colour. Derby Day, on the other hand, is all Black and White and Pastels are also a winning look at the Fashion on the Field this year.

2. Plan your outfit starting with the dress then the hat. This is much easier than the other way around. You might fall in love with a colourful hat or fascinator only to find you cannot find anything to team it up with. It’s spring so your outfit should reflect that.

So far this racing season what has been seen in the fashion stakes, lots of graphic prints, full midi skirts have been very popular along side the ever popular pencil skirt. Peplums are in for yet another season and Flounce skirts add a flirty touch.

3. Headwear is a must, a hat, fascinator or headpiece …. really it’s not a race day outfit without one. If it is an indoor function best stick with something on the smaller side so as not to poke the person sitting next to you eye out with your feathers. If you are trackside the go to town on the size factor and make a statement with it.

The classic large hat has gone into hibernation, what’s trending are crowns, perchers, veils and silk flowers.

If you want more wear out of your head piece or hat? Opt for a design in a neutral base but with coloured adornments you can change or add to for a different race day outfit.

4. Match but don’t match. You want all the elements in your outfit to complement each other but no need for everything to match. These days your bag doesn’t have to match your shoes and your hat. Your bag might pick up a colour from your dress and your shoe colour might feature in your hat but they don’t all have to be the same hue.

5. And of course, choose your footwear wisely. It’s never a good look to leave a Melbourne Cup Day function, or the races, barefoot and carrying your shoes in your hand. Wear shoes you know you can go the distance in. This isn’t so much of a consideration if you’re just going out to lunch and then doing the school pick-up but it most definitely is if you are trackside.

6. If buying a new frock, buy something that you know you’ll wear again. Ideally, you already have an event or occasion coming up during the party season where you know you’ll be able to wear it out minus the headwear. And if you work in an office, maybe it’s something that could take to the office as part work wardrobe. When thinking of a dress purchase if it initially costs more than you would normally spend. Its value will be in the distance it goes in your wardrobe.

Some of last years winners

7. Hair. In NSW it’s Hairdressers Picnic Day so they won’t be open,  maybe get some tips from them prior to the day. Your headwear needs to be secured to your head so it lasts all day. Particularly if you are outdoors and the wind picks up, as most of us know it never looks the same on the way out of the function as to how it looked on the way in.

8. Ideally, your makeup should go the distance, not just the first race. Primer is your friend, as is a long-lasting foundation. Smudge-proof mascara and either a gloss you can easily re-apply or a long-wear lippy. Get it right at home and all you’ll need in your purse is a lip colour and maybe some pressed powder. For touch-ups in case it’s a warm day and you tend to be a bit oily. Oh and if you’re at the track or spending the day partly outdoors, don’t forget your biggest anti aging cream, sunscreen.

9. Most importantly wear a smile it will cost you nothing but give you everything!

On trend with Stripes

Keeping it Simple