The period of the Melbourne spring racing carnival has ended, but I wasn’t going to let it go without discussing it. Sorry it’s been a while; I have just been released from the chains of the exam period. I was freed for a short duration of time however to attend Stakes day, because how could I not resist the chance to celebrate the majestic creatures that own the track and to observe the lads and ladies donning their finest to watch from the stands? A fashion blogger cannot surpass this opportunity, I am pleased to report that the fashion is getting better and better.
This year it was clear that tradition has taken a back step in order to pave the way for welcome unconventionality. Pants, culottes and jumpsuits were fabulously displayed by fashion-forward women to show that style and comfort can marry well together, even for a formality like the races. In a more traditional sense, modest skirt lengths were the norm this season, which created an elegant silhouette on every woman who chose to wear it. Essentially, it was clear that every man and woman had exerted at least some effort as the fashion showcased was beautiful.

Crowns, wreathes and bejewelled headbands were the new fascinators this season. Some complimented their outfits perfectly (as exhibited above), while others had a Statue of Liberty feel to it. Generally there were some lovely pieces, but I couldn’t help but feel that they were slightly underwhelming because I prefer the traditional flair of a loud fascinator or an over-sized hat.





As for the boys, blue suits and brown shoes were the winning combination.



I opted for a more traditional races style with a blue dress, white accessories and orange lippy.
The hat unfortunately continued to fly off despite my best efforts, and although I couldn’t help the wind, I was grateful that I brought my red coat with me. Having a warm and stylish coat that can be worn with formal/cocktail wear is one of the best investments. I was so pleased because I didn’t need to purchase anything new, as I just flung together various pieces from my closet. Every piece I was wearing was under $80, so it’s quite achievable to throw a relatively cheap outfit together for the races, as long as the colour scheme is established and the quality of the brand is of no concern!
Dress: Forever New
Bag: Forever New
Shoes: Novo
Hat: Vintage
Coat:?
Belt: Cotton On
Earrings: Mouche
Lipstick: Koko
I hope everyone enjoyed the racing season! Follow me here and on Instagram @ilikeyourshirt_blog for more fashion news and updates! x