I’m not really one for Spring Racing fashion. I’d back away from something first worn to a school formal; matched with a dead bird for headwear. Here’s what we WOULD wear to the Melbourne Cup…
I’m not really one for Spring Racing fashion.
I guess I’m more on the understated side.
Something about the races conjour up images of overly fake-tanned flesh and dresses covered in diamantes. Which just isn’t for me.
I’m always one to back away from something if it looks like it was first worn to a high school formal; matched with a dead bird for headwear.
So I decided to have a look at what Melbourne designers someone like myself would wear to the races; I came up with these.
This is from the Spring/Summer collection by the Melbourne designer Dhini, and would be a fantastic alternative (without being TOO different) to a lot of the traditional racing dresses out there. The cut and colour of the whole collection is just stunning and I am completely in love with the tattoo hosiery.
Some more local designers that are of this tradition are Livia Arena and Willow. All three designers are known for their unique, subtle and elegant designs.
This Livia Arena number would be fantastic for Spring Carnival because I think black would actually stand out (for once in Melbourne) against the sea of block colours and patterns.
If you do want a bit of block colouring then these designs from the Willow Industrial-Artisan collection would be a superb choice. The orange jumpsuit on the left would be my ultimate choice for the day.
Now for the headwear: I have a bit of a bone to pick with the traditional look of the fascinators; they often look tacky and stale. The idea is to add a touch of class and femininity to the outfit; NOT to make the wearer look like she threw some gauze on her Nan’s doily and slapped some plastic flowers on top.
When it comes to headwear I would check out the up and coming Melbourne label Her Pony.
They also do amazing one off garments, but what really caught my eye were the absolutely beautiful head pieces. They make me want to go to the races just so to parade around with one of these atop my crown.
If you are going to the races and have yet to buy that perfect outfit, remember to try and shop locally. That way you will be supporting the economy, non sweat-shop produced clothes (if the tag says ‘made in China’ back away) and you won’t have the awkwardness of someone in the same dress as you.
By Robecca Leyden 30 October 2011
You can read more of Robecca’s favourite local designers on her blog: www.haemeandrobecca.blogspot.com
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