Ladies, the seasons are changing and we know that means one thing – Spring Racing fashion! Yes, that’s right. It’s time to pack away the heavy coats and sedate winter wardrobe essentials. Start by clearing your cupboards and making space for some fabulous new season looks. And once you have that space ready, you can start planning your show-stopping Melbourne Cup outfits.
Ready for Spring Racing 101? Here are the basic expectations for each of the events.
This is usually all about airy, feminine glamour with ruffles, floaty dresses, soft pastels, and elegant florals. Don’t be afraid to add a bit of bright colour though if it fits with the overall theme. And adorn your head with something fabulous, too - because eye-catching headpieces are what it’s all about.
This more muted fashion affair ranks highly on the scale of important events, so if you’re attending, make the most of the chance to play with the monochromatic theme. Get creative as you layer blacks, white and greys to create an unmissable expression of fashion magic.
This the day for your boldest self. Ditch the demure, the pastel and the monochromatic elements, and let your inner diva free. Remember, you’ll still need to wear formal racewear, but that’s the only rule there is! So just like a child who’s been given a picture to colour in however they choose, Melbourne Cup Day fashion gives you a framework and the permission to go crazy with colour, texture, and pattern to your heart’s content. Not to mention a fabulous headpiece – these are the talk of the town so it’s worth having fun and getting this right.
Spring Racing is a BIG deal.
You may notice your colleagues getting a little crazy around this time, talking horses, bets, and fashion. Your workplace may even decide to get the team together for an office Melbourne Cup event, and these are a great chance to let your hair down and have a little fun celebrating this iconic event.
Remember, even though this is an event with your workmates, it’s also a chance to dress up in something fabulous.
Here’s how to make the most of the fun:
Two events in one day? It has been known to happen, especially during racing season, when the city is abuzz with excitement. If you love dressing up and trying different outfits, this could be a great opportunity to switch dresses and leave ‘work you’ at home for the night.
However, if your timelines are too pushed or you just want to avoid the hassle of redoing your whole look, here’s how to transform your daytime Melbourne Cup office partywear into a showstopping evening outfit:
Select your fabric carefully. Linen, for example, can begin to look tired after a few hours.
The flurry of excitement and activity around the Melbourne Cup will include the race day itself, celebratory events before and after, and may even include a Spring Racing themed office party. And if your workplace goes all-out for the Cup, it’s a safe bet that they’d love you to join in the fun! Getting into the spirit of the races is a great way to build team connections and morale, so don’t be afraid to bring your boldest, most spectacular self to the celebrations. That’s what it’s all about, after all!
Whether you’re new to the hype around the Spring Racing and its accompanying events, or you’d just like to brush up on the latest fashion insights, we’ve got you covered. When dressing for this racing season, there are three key principles to adhere to: Dress Bold, Dress Comfortable, and Dress Practical.
Here’s how.
Dress bold? Yes, please!
Spring Racing fashions are all about getting attention. This isn’t the time or the place to rock your wallflower look. And while this may feel a little terrifying, it’s also very liberating.
Gone are the days where you had to look like Barbie to deserve to dress up. Fashion is for every beautiful body! We started a revolution and now it’s time to bring it home. Because no matter your age, colour, ability, or size, you should know that you are beautiful. You are fabulous. And you DESERVE to take up space, be seen and dress however you want!
This season, bring your boldest self to Spring Racing.
With all this talk of being bold and fabulous, you may be wondering where comfort fits in.
Well, darling, comfort fits in perfectly. This is because when you put appearance too far over comfort, you end up looking outwardly great (for a while) until people start to notice your body language. Holding yourself so awkwardly surely can’t be your boldest self?
Choose something that makes you look and FEEL your best.
Dress practical? That doesn’t sound very glitzy! But this is one piece of advice you don’t want to ignore. It is the final piece of the Melbourne Cup fashion puzzle.
Think about what your day will entail. If you’ll be outdoors, consider:
And wine! Remember the wine. Don’t match your outfit with sky-high heels when you may have to go strolling over grass after a few cheeky drinks.