Here in Melbourne, spring has finally arrived and with it comes the famous
Spring Racing Festival. This is a time when fillies and their fellas dress up to the nines at Flemington and Caulfield racecourses.
While race seasons can vary in size and importance around the world, Melbourne racing season is continuing to mark its prominence on a worldwide scale due to it’s enormous popularity and reputation for style.
This year, Flemington also celebrates it’s 150th year of the Melbourne Cup, 'the race that stops a nation'. So, in dedication to this famous day and all who flock to it, we have put together a style guide for concurring the other famous event at the races - Fashions on the Field.
When putting together an outfit for the races it is extremely important that you fulfill the objective of the day - elegant, stylish and most of all, ladylike fashion and behavior. It is all too common to see the drowned rats leaving the racecourse as the sun sets, fascinators drooping, shoes in hand and stumbling to a taxi. Remember this look every time you take a sip of your champagne throughout the day. Not luscious, nor ladylike at all!
It is spring racing after all, so splash on some colour. Spring is all about flowers blooming and try to adapt that into your outfit. Chose strong colours which suit your complexion.
See our Spring racing fashion photo gallery for more inspiration.
Additional photos of divine hats here.
As they are daytime events, do try to avoid fabrics and colours better suited to the night, such as heavy fabrics, shiny satins, leather and velvets (they will just look wrong in the spring sunshine).
Tailored and ladylike shapes are very much in form for this year’s carnival. Think
Mad Men’s styling (see the story on our
homepage), cinched waists, flattering necklines and tailors skirts. These look also means you won’t have to be holding your skirt at the slightest spring breeze.
Try to find a balance between your dress and your headwear. While we are all for extravagant hats and fascinators, it is best to choose either your dress or accessories to be the ‘stand-out’ feature of your outfit.
As a rule, avoid dressing head-to-toe in one colour, nobody likes a matching outfit, ‘coordinated’ is the preferred style.
If you are going with your own Mr Luscious, it is perfectly acceptable to be matching. Think wedding attire for him, a nice suit (preferably in a grey for daytime) and matching tie to your dress. Just think how elegantly fabulous you will look in photos together.
Where ladies lose their footing on race days almost always comes down to their… well, footwear. Sky high heels will always make your legs look impressive, but be sure that you can last standing in them all day without sinking into the grass.
Luckily chunky and kitten heels are making a return to the fashion stakes this year, so jump on board. Another option to look into is opting for a summer wedge - they’re comfortable, give you height and won’t get lost in the grass.
Whatever your look this spring carnival, be sure that it suits your personality and that you are comfortable in your second skin. Keep your lines tailored to your shape, colours suited to your skin and be sure your accessories don’t steal attention away from your pretty face.
Alternatively, you can jump onto our
Facebook page for a photo album of our favourite looks.
Best of luck with the fashions on the field, Luscious Ladies, and we hope you back a winner!