The thundering of hooves, pouring of champagne and fancy attire appears far-fetched compared to the lifestyle Victorian’s have been living for the last seven months. I can’t even remember the last time I wore a pair of jeans. But while the jury’s still out on what lies ahead for the rest of the year as our fate lies in the hands of the pandemic, the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) is determined to nonetheless hold the annual Spring Racing Carnival at Flemington Racecourse.
While we’ll most likely be celebrating from our front yards rather than on the trackside, who’s to say that we can’t celebrate the day by dressing up? With the start of the Spring Racing Carnival fast approaching, here’s your Spring Racing outfit guide if you decide to host your own front yard and socially-distanced version of Myer’s Fashion on the Field.
Dresses
While we don’t have access to physical retail therapy, we have one of three options when it comes to choosing a dress for this year’s carnival.
1. Risk it all and buy something online.
2. Go sustainable and give new life to a dress in your wardrobe.
3. Get creative by designing and making your own dress.
Whichever option you choose, follow the black and white dress code on Derby Day, go for prints, florals and bright colours for the Lexus Melbourne Cup and be pretty in pastels for Oaks day.
Pants Suits
Times are changing with pants suits making their way into the fashion field. While it’s totally acceptable for you to go for pants rather than a dress, you need to ensure that you’re still following the VRC’s dress regulations. That means no short jumpsuits, no untailored pants and keeping your pants untucked from your socks and footwear.
Shoes
Don’t be that person who’s stumbling in the grass because your six-inch high stilettos are digging into the dirt. Trust me, this year you’ll want to be comfortable. With that said, go for block heels or wedges with either an open or closed toe. Nude works well with any outfit otherwise go with a colour that compliments your dress opposed to one that is bold and stands out too much.
Fascinators
That’s the fancy term they use for hats. Like our dress situation, there’s not going to be a huge opportunity to shop around for your headpiece. Instead you can look online – which is a little riskier than dress shopping – or you can create your own like many do every other year.
Accessories
Despite still being at home, the accessory trend for 2020 is constantly changing. It looks like you’ll be holding a soft clutch at this year’s races while big chunky earrings dangle from your ears. But don’t let them get caught on your Fascinator or the next thing I’m about to mention!
And of course…Masks
An uncanny addition to race day attire that one never would have expected. Perhaps masks will make the new hat. We’re expecting to see creative, reusable masks that are colour-coded to match the outfit.
It’s an understatement to say that this year is one far unlike any other and I can guarantee you that the Spring Racing Carnival is likely to follow that trend. The fashion scene could be quite the same as last year given the lack in opportunity we’ve had to make a wardrobe change. Maybe we’ll see a whole new style with many becoming their own trend setters and wearing whatever they wish. We’ll just have to wait and see.