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Spring Racing

Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: 2018 Oaks Day

8th November, 2018

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.

Credits: Dress, Dolce & Gabbana; Shoes, Tabitha Simmons (old season); Bag, The Daily Edited; Jewellery, Chaumet; Headpiece, Nerida Winter

Photography: Sophia Athas

This post was produced in collaboration with Net-a-Porter

Fashion

The making of my Melbourne Cup look

6th November, 2018

I love a fashion challenge and I have to say that every year, dressing for Melbourne Cup day is one of them. I have multiple professional commitments throughout the day so I need to ensure that I get my outfit just right. This year, I was lucky enough to once again work with Net-a-Porter to pull together my look which admittedly makes things so much easier. It’s one of my absolute favourite shopping destinations and they are always guaranteed to have multiple pieces for me to fall in love with. I had a busy few weeks leading up to Melbourne Cup so I enlisted the help of one of my favourite stylists, Jess Pecoraro to help me with pulling looks together for a few of the key dates in the Melbourne Cup Carnival, most especially Cup Day.

I knew I wanted to wear something bright and bold as I always like to have fun with my outfit at Melbourne Cup. After trying a few different dresses on, I eventually zeroed in on the floral Miu Miu dress I wore today. I liked the long hemline which is a little different to my other Cup Day looks over the past few years. We were playing around with the dress and actually found that we could adjust the straps to create an off-the-shoulder/bateau neckline so I ended up going with it as it had a really flattering effect.

There were a few heels we were tossing up between that were already in my closet but how could I resist wearing a pair of amazing Salvatore Ferragamo wedges? It had such an interesting shape I thought it added a great element of interest to my overall look. I also liked the gold heel and the strap across the foot echoing the look of a mule. It really grounded the colourful nature of the dress and its bold print.

As for my accessories, we tried a few different bag options and considered working with a few different headpiece styles and colours but I really loved the way my bag and oversized picked up a few of the subtle colours in my dress.

After we had decided on some looks, I did a final fitting in my home with Jess (with my kids providing a great audience!) to ensure that everything worked together — dress, shoes, bag, the lot. I always like doing this as I want to take a final look at what I’m wearing as a whole and make sure there’s cohesion and everything is spot on. And lucky for me, I found a look I loved for yet another year.

One of my super cute style advisors

I adored the vivid and colourful vibe of this dress

Aren’t they so amazing? Such a different silhouette

View from above

Jess helping me try on another dress option

Trying on shoes (and a sneak peek at one of my other looks)

Decisions, decisions…A girl can never have too many shoes, right?

 

 

Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: 2018 Melbourne Cup

6th November, 2018

I cannot believe Melbourne Cup is here again! It’s always one of the most exciting days on the spring racing calendar and I look forward to it every year. When it comes to this particular day the fashion brief is loads of colour and definitely more scope to push the boundaries. I wanted to do something that was vibrant and fun and couldn’t resist this floral Miu Miu dress. The punchy green and oversized flowers and paint splatters work together to create a striking effect. I decided to wear the dress with the straps worn slightly off the shoulder but they can also be worn straight which I love as it offers a little extra versatility with the dress. The ruching at the side is also a big plus as it always gives a really flattering effect.

I saw these Ferragamo wedge mules and instantly knew they would be perfect for the day. The wedge/mule hybrid is a little different and adds an interesting silhouette to my look. Additionally I loved the gold panel on the heel which is a great complementary shade to the green of my dress. Bright and bold really was the main theme throughout this look and the pink Bvlgari Serpenti bag added another pop of colour that further lifted the look.

Adding the final finishing touch to my look were the most beautiful pieces from the jeweller, Chaumet. I was particularly enamoured by the Hortensia Malachite earrings which perfectly complemented my dress and added an elegant and understated element to my outfit. With all the prints and colour in my outfit I wanted to keep my headpiece quite simple and one of my favourite milliners Nerida Winter definitely delivered. The cream oversized bow gave my look a statement feature from behind and was the ideal feature piece to cap off my Melbourne Cup ensemble.

Credits: Dress, Miu Miu; Shoes, Ferragamo; Bag, Bvlgari; Jewellery, Chaumet; Headpiece, Nerida Winter

Photography: Sophia Athas

This post was produced in collaboration with Net-a-Porter

Fashion, Shop

Stakes Day: your outfit, shoes and headwear sorted

4th November, 2018

Unlike Derby Day and Melbourne Cup there is no formal dress code for Stakes Day so you have a little more creative freedom with what you wear. This particular day in the spring racing calendar is a family-friendly occasion so it is slightly more casual than the other days however the same rules still apply in that you need to look polished. Feel free to experiment with colours, prints and textures—this is your time to have a little fun.

 

Dresses and Jumpsuits

You can afford to be a little more relaxed with your outfit at Stakes Day but make sure that it still has an elegant look and feel. Look for fun details, colours that pop and interesting silhouettes.

Shoes

There’s a neverending range of amazing shoes available at the moment so you’re spoilt for choice. Just make sure you factor in comfort as you’ll likely be on your feet a lot the entire day.

Headwear

A gorgeous hat is always a winner on Stakes Day but if that’s not your style then there are headbands and fascinators aplenty to ensure you nail it in the headwear department.

Fashion, Shop

Oaks Day: your outfit, shoes and headwear sorted

2nd November, 2018

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.

Fashion

How to ensure your look goes the distance at the races

31st October, 2018

Being at the races is great fun but it can also be a long day. This is why it’s key that you ensure your look is able to go the distance and still look as great as it did when you first arrived. There’s nothing worse than looking dishevelled after a few hours when you’ve still got the whole day ahead of you. Having gone to countless racing events over the years, this is what I’ve found will ensure your look still looks fresh throughout the day.

Break in your shoes

I cannot stress this point enough. Wear your shoes a number of times before the actual day so it’s comfortably broken in. You don’t want to be dealing with major blisters from heels right out of the box on a day that you’ll likely be walking and on your feet for hours.

Choose a heel height that you can last in

It’s not compulsory to wear sky high stilettos to the races so don’t force yourself to do it if you’re going to be uncomfortable. There are so many gorgeous shoes available at varying heel heights to choose from so if you think you’ll be hobbling around in agony with a super high heel then opt for one that’s a little shorter. Also wear something with a thicker, sturdier heel as you don’t want to be sinking into the grass throughout the day.

Opt for a bag that has a strap

A clutch is great but it can admittedly become tedious carrying it around for hours, especially when you’re trying to eat something and have a drink but don’t have a hand free to do both. One thing I like doing is bringing a bag with me that has a hidden strap that I can use to go hands-free if I need to.

Keep makeup to a minimum

As the races are a day time event your makeup should be quite subtle and understated anyway but I’ve found that this has an additional benefit: less touch ups. By keeping your makeup quite simple then you won’t risk having it smudge away throughout the course of the day and you won’t have to spend an inordinate amount of time touching up in the bathroom when you could be enjoying yourself.

Choose comfortable headwear

It’s annoying having to constantly adjust your headpiece so I always like to wear pieces that I know will stay put. If you don’t fancy devoting time to fixing a fascinator that’s become askew, then a great hat, a headband or a turban is great for this reason.

Tell me—are you going to any racing events? How do you keep your look fresh?

Fashion, Shop

Melbourne Cup: your outfit, shoes and headwear sorted

30th October, 2018

It’s the race that stops a nation and without a doubt it’s the perfect reason to get dolled up. Melbourne Cup is the biggest day in the spring racing carnival and it’s always a lot of fun to get dressed up for as the dress code is all about colour and having a lot of fun with your look. This is the day to really take a step into bold territory and wear vibrant shades and prints with statement accessories. So if you’ve yet to lock in your outfit, I’ve got you covered.

 

Dresses

Melbourne Cup is the ideal time to embrace a dress that’s got wow factor. Go for lots of colour, interesting prints and embrace texture and striking finishes. Whilst your look still has to be polished it’s also the ideal time to have fun with fashion.

 

Shoes

From sky high stilettos to a 60s style block heel and an architectural mule, it’s time to up your shoe game when it comes to Cup Day. Definitely have fun with statement footwear but also make sure to keep comfort in mind—you need something that will stand up to a long day at the races.

 

Headwear

Headwear is a must but you don’t have to confine yourself to a hat. Think everything from headbands to a gorgeous turban as the perfect adornment to pair with your outfit at Flemington.

Fashion, Shop

Derby Day: your outfit, shoes and headwear sorted

27th October, 2018

One of the big spring racing events on the calendar is Derby Day. The dress code is black and white which lends itself to a sleek and sophisticated ensemble. I’m a huge fan of a monochrome look so always love pulling together outfits for this particular day. It’s also a great exercise in how elevated details and textures can make understated shades pop.

Dresses and Jumpsuits

Whether it’s classic and elegant, a subtle print or floaty and feminine, a dress or jumpsuit in monochrome makes for a striking look.

Shoes

Elevate a subdued colour palette of black and white with luxe finishing touches and fashion forward silhouettes.

Headwear

Keep your headwear understated and chic. An oversized bow, a crisp white boater or a fine veil will make the ideal finishing touch to your outfit.

Fashion

Spring racing shoes at every heel height

26th October, 2018

A great shoe is a must for a winning spring racing look, and zeroing in on the perfect pair every year is high on my list of things to do. I always take into account what will work with my outfit but also how long I’ll be able to wear them. The latter is probably the most important as per proper racing etiquette you should always keep your shoes on till the very end! And this year, we’ve never been more spoilt for shoe options. There are so many designs around now incorporating everything from jaw-dropping embellishments, intricate detailing and all the colours of the rainbow. If you’re on the hunt for the perfect heel to match with your outfit, whether it be something vibrant for Melbourne Cup or elegant and monochrome for Derby Day, you’ve come to the right place.

Shop my shoe picks below

High heel

There’s no denying the impact of a statement heel. Plus let’s not forget the fact they gives you legs for days. If you’re going to rock a high heel make sure you break them in a few days beforehand to avoid any blister disasters.

 

Midi Heel

This is the comfortable option for those times when you want to wear a heel but can’t face a day in something sky high. You’ll still get all the benefits of a little extra height but it might be a little easier to manoeuvre your way around the track.

 

Flats

In times gone by flats may have been considered to be a little too practical to wear to an event, especially the races but that’s all changed. These days you can now find a flat that’s as much of a showstopper as its heeled counterpart. And the best bit? You’ll be ridiculously comfortable the entire day.

 

Beauty

The key to a great spring racing beauty look

25th October, 2018

Along with my outfits I like to plan my beauty looks whenever I’m off to a big spring racing event. Hair and makeup is often the final finishing touch that can make or break a look so generally I like to have an idea of what I’m going to do ahead of time. And this is often based on the colour or colours I’m wearing and also the cut and neckline of my dress—the bolder the look, the less I do in terms of hair and makeup and vice versa.

I think the one thing that’s important to remember about any racing event is that it takes place during the day. This means that whilst you should look polished you should also leave the heavy, ultra glam makeup at home and instead opt for an understated, fresh faced approach. Less is more should be your motto. I always start with a healthy base so I like to treat my skin in the lead up to big events like Derby Day and Melbourne Cup. This means scheduling in a facial (or a few if my skin needs some extra TLC) and really taking care of my skin in the lead up to the event by being religious with my skincare routine and making sure I wear sunscreen to avoid any pigmentation or damage. I’ve always been of the frame of mind that having good skin is the best base you can have.

When it comes to my makeup I tend to wear it quite sparingly. This means I choose one feature to highlight whether it be my eyes or lips. Usually I’ll find myself going for a bold smoky eye and a neutral lip but if I find the outfit I’m wearing needs a little punch then I might go for a colourful lip instead. I  stick to neutral tones most of the time as I find it’s a guaranteed way to stop my makeup from competing with my outfit and I tend to favour a lot of mascara to play up my eyes and give them a dramatic effect. Along with my makeup I always ensure that I factor in a mani and pedi in the lead up to a racing event. I always go for either a dark burgundy/wine colour or a light white/pink for a neutral finish, it just depends on the colour I am wearing and what I think will complement it the most. A perfect mani is always a guaranteed shortcut to looking polished so I do this religiously.

I’ve always been quite low maintenance with my hair and generally I don’t stray far from this for racing events. If I’m wearing something with a dramatic neckline that needs to remain the focal point such as a high neck, you’ll either find me with my hair in a sleek low bun or slightly more relaxed bun with a bit more volume at the top. It’s honestly one of the easiest styles I’ve found I can do and it’s always guaranteed to work. If my look is quite simple then I might go for a little more drama with my hair, in which case I’ll wear it down with a slight beachy wave and a little volume. Most of the time I prefer to keep things low key on the beauty front and just let my outfit take centre stage.

What’s your approach to spring racing beauty?