Zimmermann is up there as one of my all time favourite Australian designers with their ultra feminine designs. From florals to flirty flounces and intricate finishes, there’s definitely a signature look to the brand that really resonates with the vibe of Oaks Day. As the ladies day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, it’s the day that calls for feminine ensembles, and Zimmermann definitely fits the brief. You can imagine how taken I was by this dress which is just a work of art. It’s a gorgeous lightweight silk linen which drapes beautifully, and is elevated by the doily applique and the crinoline ruffles. With the floaty skirt and flouncy sleeves it has beautiful movement too.
With a high neckline, I opted for an up do for a clean finish. A simple bun with a white bow by Ezara/J provided a sleek contrast to the theatre this dress evokes. I needed to opt for footwear that would ground the look as the dress has such a floaty, whimsical feel to it so simple black Gucci heels were ideal. Plus I always love the colour combination of black and white. A Dior clutch was the final piece of the puzzle, adding a touch of contrast against the clean, pared back ivory hue of the dress.
Oaks Day is traditionally always ladies’ day so the dress code is always quite feminine. I wanted to honour that but also embrace something that wasn’t overly soft, and had a bit more structure so this pink Versace suit fit the brief. I loved the kaleidoscope of pinks and how they provided bold contrast against each other. Also the texture of the tweed allowed the suit to pop. And who doesn’t love a power suit moment? The mini hemline is right on trend, while suiting is definitely one of my go-to event looks.
I opted for a contrasting colour shoe option, so I went with a pair of gold Jimmy Choo heels with a tassel detail. The pointed toe worked well to complement the more structured feel of the suit, while the tassels add a dramatic touch. The crystal top handle bag added another textural element while providing some contrast against the suit. As far as headwear went, I wanted to embrace a hat in this instance so I opted for an oversized black straw hat by Ezara J. As the final finishing touch, a beautiful Jaeger Le Coultre timepiece.
Credits: Blazer and skirt, Versace; Bag (similar here), Bulgari; Heels, Jimmy Choo; Hat (similar here), Ezara J; Watch, Jaeger Le Coultre
Oaks Day is traditionally ladies’ day so the dress code is all about soft feminine looks. It’s the perfect time to embrace my girly side, so I always have a lot of fun with my outfit on the day, favouring pretty prints and accessories.
I saw this Prada dress and thought it was perfect for the occasion. The accordion pleat skirt and the frilled bib detail is classic and polished, but the playful lip print gives it a more modern feel. It’s always fun to work a print into a race day look and I tend to gravitate towards those that are fun and have a vibrant energy.
It’s always great to designate a focal point to any outfit and in this instance it was definitely the dress. Pink and black is always a fun colour combination so I decided to accentuate the touches of pink on the dress with dark accessories. Of course, I couldn’t go past the black textured Maticevski Prometheus clutch with urchin-like beaded detail—it added a fashion forward element to my look and I love accessories that are unique looking. Black heels with knotted detail and an oversized bow worked well with the rest of my outfit. But it’s always fun to incorporate some truly beautiful jewellery into any race day look and the Chaumet bracelets I was wearing added a luxe touch to my ensemble.
There are a few key days in the spring racing carnival calendar that will require you to dress in a certain way. It’s important to respect these dress codes and choose an outfit fitting of the day. One of the key things to remember is that whatever look you go for is that it maintain an element of polish. So leave overly casual things like denim and sneakers at home and instead enjoy this opportunity to get dressed up. Make sure that you’re comfortable in what you’re wearing as a day at the races can be long so you don’t want to constantly be fidgeting or adjusting something or worse having to hobble along in uncomfortable heels for the rest of the day. It’s a big no-no to take your shoes off at the races so be sure to have broken them in beforehand and have put in additional padding to make walking or standing for long periods do-able. Overall take advantage of the fact you get to wear a great outfit and just enjoy the day!
Derby Day
Derby Day has a black and white dress code. You can either go for an all black or all white ensemble with accessories in either colour. Monochrome is a great colour palette to work with as it looks so chic and it’s relatively easy to pull pieces together given the colour scheme.
Melbourne Cup
As far as spring racing carnival go, Melbourne Cup is the day to go bold. It’s all about colour so you can either go for a vibrant shade or print. Don’t be afraid to push the boundaries a little and be sure to have fun with your look —this is the day for it.
Oaks Day
Oaks Day is ladies day so the dress code is quite pretty and feminine. This is the time to embrace florals and soft pastels. Keep this theme going throughout your accessories and go for accoutrements that incorporate a slightly girly touch such as bold flowers or bows.
Stakes Day
There’s no formal dress code for Stakes Day but it is family day so it’s the most casual and relaxed of all the key dates in the spring racing calendar. Whilst there’s no strict colour scheme or stipulations on what should be worn on the day it’s still important that whatever outfit you choose is polished and elegant.
For the most feminine of dress codes it was a no-brainer: I had to wear pink. Oaks Day is ladies’ day which means lots of soft shades and florals and a ladylike silhouette. Whilst the midi length is great for the races the bubblegum pink shade adds a touch of fun and a vibrancy that makes this look stand out. I also love the satin which has a fluidity to it that gives it a glamorous feel. Additionally I was drawn to the strong shoulders which are a little 80s (in a good way!) which gives the the dress a touch of attitude.
I wanted to avoid going too girly with this particular look so I needed a shoe that had a bit more edge. These Tabitha Simmons leopard print heels were an obvious choice — they’re playful and fun with a touch of sexiness. When it came to my bag I wanted to go for something a little more structured and couldn’t pass up the new vertical clutch from The Daily Edited. It has an optional strap which I always really like for racing events as it gives me the option to go hands free if I need to and I’m the first to admit that I have a soft spot for anything personalised.
As for the final finishing touches I went with some gorgeous pieces from jeweller Chaumet – a beautiful ring and earrings which completed my look. Wearing such a bold colour I wanted to keep my headwear quite simple and once again opted for a Nerida Winter piece, this time around a simple, understated number incorporating elegant pink netting with subtle black accents. It was the ideal ladylike look with a modern edge throughout.
Oaks Day is ladies’ day in the spring racing carnival calendar and this means that it’s the ideal time to embrace all things feminine and pretty. It’s the occasion to adopt a colour palette incorporating pastels, especially pink and also prints and accoutrements incorporating florals. If you’re attending this day keep your look soft and ladylike.
Dresses
No matter the silhouette the most important thing about your attire is that it incorporate softer tones and feminine finishing touches — think florals, ribbons and ruffles.
Shoes
The brief for footwear should be much the same as your attire. This is the time to embrace embellishments such as frills and pom poms and every colour pink imaginable.
Headwear
From pearls, to jewels to animal print and florals, unleash your girly side and keep headwear ladylike and pretty.
When it comes to your spring racing look your accessories should definitely be a key consideration – don’t relegate it to a last minute choice as you dash out the door! Each of the key days in the racing calendar will allow you to explore some great accessories options and as bags are always one of the first things I think about, I’ve teamed up with The Daily Edited to showcase the right bag and accessories to help you pull together a wining race day look.
The event: Derby Day
The monochrome dress code of Derby Day is generally really easy to follow when it comes to accessories because virtually every woman has a black clutch in her wardrobe. It’s like the LBD of the accessories world. If you want to opt for something different though a nice alternative is a cream bag.
As everyone will be wearing black and white it can become easy to get lost in the crowd so to stand out, attention to detail and beautiful craftsmanship with your accessories is important. One of the reasons I love the bags from The Daily Edited is because little touches like personalisation and being able to monogram your bag allows you to differentiate your accessories from the rest.
The thing with accessories is to make sure you’re comfortable and that you won’t constantly be fussing with them throughout the day. If you’re fine to put your clutch under your arm then great but otherwise opt for a shoulder strapso you can juggle champagne and a pen for writing down tips.
The event: Melbourne Cup
For Melbourne Cup Day you can afford to go a little more bold with your look. You can inject a little bit of colour in your outfit but I think that if you’re going to opt for a striking headpiece try and tone it down a bit with the rest of your accessories because you have to have one standout item. I’ve always liked rich burgundy or a classic navy for a bag that will look classic but still make a statement. Also don’t forget about texture. For example something like a faux ostrich fabricationmakes for a really nice and interesting alternative if you want to be a little more daring.
The event: Oaks Day
Traditionally known as ladies’ day, this particular event is all about super feminine dressing. Think floral prints and really soft, pretty hues. With your accessories, go for a soft approach. I think gorgeous pastels are a great option when it comes to choosing a shade of handbag to bring with you on the day. It’s classic with just a touch of girliness so it’s the perfect finishing touch to your outfit on the day.
The event: Stakes Day
Stakes Day is family day so don’t be afraid to have a bit of fun with colour. Also instead of a clutch why not try something different and opt for ashoulder baginstead? It makes for an effortless look and when you go for a bag in an interesting shade such as grey, it’s one way to ensure that you set yourself apart from other racegoers. As for the rest of your look don’t be afraid to be quite playful in your other accessories and try a unique headpiece or bold jewellery.
For more Spring Racing looks check out my other blog post
Oaks Day is all about feminine silhouettes and styling so it’s the perfect opportunity to embrace your girlie side. Pastels are a great go-to colour for Oaks Day as not only is it quite pretty and soft, it also acts as a neutral and is a great blank canvas for different accessories. I paired this dress by Karen Millen with a bold headband to help give the outfit a touch of drama.
Oaks Day is Ladies’ Day so it’s all about soft, feminine colours and styling. You can’t go wrong with pastels and florals for Oaks Day however this season I’m loving a structured dress with touches of bold colours and a simple, elegant headband. It’s still quite girlie but with an added edge.
Racegoers: If you are looking for a races outfit then make sure you check out this exclusive Spring Racing competition with CAMILLA AND MARC! They are giving away 1 x $1500 gift certificate to put towards your own look for the Spring Racing Carnival. All you have to do is choose your favourite from my three CAMILLA AND MARC Spring Racing looks and explain why in 25 words or less. Click HERE to enter. Good luck!
Another big day in the spring racing calendar is Oaks Day. As it’s ladies day I went with a softer, more feminine approach to my outfit. Here’s what I got up to this morning as I was getting ready for today’s event.
A peek at the shoe options for today. A girl can never have too many shoes, right?
A beauty addict’s dream come true! A little mother daughter time today. Love getting ready with mum.
Adore the beautiful floral print on this dress. What do you think?
Make up all done and almost ready to go… See you there!
