The Melbourne spring racing carnival is upon us again, where we see that the true winners are not in fact the horses, but women’s racing fashion. I attended Derby Day with my girls and I was stunned by not only the wonderful weather, but by how gorgeous all the women and men looked dressed in traditional black and white. The colour combination was flattering on everyone and the creativity involved in assembling outfits was marvellous.

Full lace dresses were a hit, alongside off-the-shoulder dresses and capes for the more adventurous types. Gladiator heels have made a tremendous comeback this season, matched with crown headpieces that are gaining more momentum with every racing carnival. Many women wore tailored pants or jumpsuits, which looked chic and fresh, especially when paired with killer heels. There are not too many rules involved in races fashion, but the main one I stick to is to keep it elegant, and to avoid looking like you are going to the clubs. This is a classy day for classy ladies and gents (unless one too many cocktails have been consumed).

I opted for a classic look featuring a pencil dress with lacing by Runaway, a flower fascinator, a Napoleon Perdis clutch and simple black heels. The fascinator was the main element of my outfit, and I bought it years ago at a stall at the South Melbourne market. The entire outfit was inexpensive and comprised of items I already had in my wardrobe. Fortunately, it was very easy to put together and I didn’t have to spend a cent.

Happy Races!

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