It’s time to embrace the best of Spring with Stakes Day! Whether it’s just around the corner, or 6 months away, the best advice we can give ourselves is to prep and plan. Instead of crafting a New Year’s Eve resolution, why not plan a race wear strategy?
From Spring carnivals eclectic first day back with Royal Randwick’s Colgate Optic White Stakes to the VRC Stakes (Emirates Stakes Day) being Melbourne Cup’s final instalment – the perfect family outing for all to enjoy the Fashions on the Field. Raise the stakes of style and sophistication as you dress to impress and find your style within this racing carnival’s sartorial melting pot.
Being the first AND last occasion to occur, we say it’s going to be BIG. If we were to break it down further into two couplings:
Opening brief: trust your instincts and forget the rules (just a little bit)
Closing brief: last of the season; it’s time to kick back and relax
With the bandwidth for dress codes nowadays opening up more into the field of customisation and personalisation, we see a free-spirited change in what to wear. With a relaxed and casual atmosphere, the options are endless when it comes to putting together a head-to-toe perfect outfit, fit for racing royalty (that’s you, by the way). What more can we say… Stakes Day is going to be one for the books. Take a walk with us through the keys to success in perfecting your next race day outfit look.
Kickin’ it old school glamour
There’s something to be said for old school glamour. Take ankle sweeping hemlines to blooming skirts that are our modern day romance. From an ode to Old Hollywood with style classicism in billowing full skirts to Dior circa 1950 for those iconic hourglass silhouettes with cinched waists and bell-shaped figures, are perfect to flatter for those ranging from pear to narrow body shapes. Pare it back with stylised curls, fine gold accessories and slingback pumps for a classic, archetypical finish.
Keep the hemline modest, and play up the top with some cheeky cut outs. Fashion’s new mood of emotion lends itself to a sweet new direction in embracing the familiar and new. Modernise this style with asymmetrical waist cuts, scooping necklines or a gorgeous backless detail. Finish it off in an imperial stance with a heavenly crown-like headband (that are so on-trend right now), block heeled mules and a structured box bag for a universally-flattering comeback silhouette that are about to trend-set everywhere.
Route to comfort city
Take casual silhouettes for a spin with a high sheen. Whether it be a subtle touch of embellished straps on a dress, to a liquid gold feel of pure satin drape, take to this fabric choice that’s super comfortable to wear all day AND all night long. ‘Relaxed’ is the keyword here. From slinky slips to grecian wrap dresses, enhance any look with a high class lustre that is oh-so irresistible and comfortable. Grab a PVC transparent clutch for an effortless finish and endless shine.
Style with chandelier earrings, barely there heels or glistening baubles and pearlescent crown fascinators for that added touch of whimsy to an otherwise practical look. Customise these languid draped styles even more with oversized ruffles or ruched detailing and high neck ties for a modern Parisian feel, or add a chunky gold chain to take on a resolutely modern air and elevate even the loveliest of satins with a streetwear vibe.
Prints Charming
Swap those feminine florals for playful polka dots this season. The safest of the prints family, take light-hearted prints like these and other abstract, ditsy prints to provide a fun and flirty, statement show to dressing. Whether you supersize or scale down these lady-like dots, put your own sartorial spin on a classic print with a patchwork remix or try a sequinned monochrome number. You never know, these 80’s inspired prints may be the new cherry on top for you!
With a relaxed sensibility, they are great to wear as a really versatile basic or are the perfect mix with floral prints and top it off with an oversized floral fascinator – the bigger the better. For a quintessentially fairytale edge, team tulle and evening wear styles with a dainty scattering of embroidered dots. After a more retro twist? Go for dynamic, graphic styles or a pixelated finish that mean business with a pencil skirt style and shoulder bag in a contrasting colour.
Not just for the guys
Pant suits. Sophisticated separates. Pants aren’t just for the guys! After all, anything they can wear, we can wear better – am I right? This racing carnival, look for jumpsuits, to playsuits to two piece sets! Sport something of the sort for the final addition to Melbourne Cup Racing as you consider Stakes Day the perfect time to test something you wouldn’t normally wear.
Combine strict with chic in a pant suit set that speaks of comfort, powers individualism and also looks perfect side-by-side with a top hat and tie. Or take the opportunity to walk down this style in dark denim sets with sweeping fringing for a vintage calling. Style with small-scale headpieces to not overwhelm a look, or complement with a modern headband or hair slides will also work a treat.
Regardless of whether your taking a more feminine approach with pastel tones and strappy heels, or eccentric route with fiery oranges and reds to complement the warmer weather, it’s all in the unexpected details to match for maximum effect. Simply add a slick of red lipstick for a ‘zero-effort’ cool finish.
Friends, fun and finale
Celebrate the grandeur of Stakes day with a laidback ease. Do a little reno on these easy to emulate dress codes to key in your next race day look. Your closet (and maybe wallet) will thank you for what you’ve done to prepare leading up to this event. Whilst the bones of classic styles remain intact, take to updated details and fresh, forward styling for a noteworthy finish to stunning new heights.
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