Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival: 3 Looks, 3 Budgets
It’s arrived!
We are smack bang in the middle of Melbourne’s Spring Racing Carnival with Melbourne Cup only a week away.
This week I’ve scouted the floors of Chadstone – The Fashion Capital (my second home) to bring you some racewear fashion inspiration. I’ve included three different price points and I’ve also covered the dress code etiquette of each primary race day: Derby Day, Melbourne Cup and Oaks Day.
So whether you still haven’t locked down a frock or headpiece for the event or even if you are looking for something for the upcoming festive season, here are some outfits for your consideration.
Oh, and these photos were taken on the run so be kind to any bad lighting or strange angles!
1. Derby Day
Derby Day is a day to showcase classic elegance and race-goers traditionally wear black and white. This is great because the monochromatic trend is absolutely everywhere at the moment so you shouldn’t be short on choices.
This outfit is from Review and they have 25% off storewide at the moment. This dress is also high on my “to purchase” list.
The dress is perfect for all body shapes excluding a triangle as it needs to be very “filled”. Also, it’s very important to select the right foundation garments under this dress as the fabric is quite shapely.
The capped sleeves are nice if you’re looking for a touch of coverage on your shoulders and this dress is particularly suitable if you have longer legs as it sits just below the knee.
The lace instantly exudes elegance and the white palette background really brings out the delicate floral/baroque print.
With black and white, keep your accessories and headpiece clean and simple in the same palette.
Dress: Was $279, Now $209.
Clutch: Was $69, Now $52
Fascinator: Was $69, Now $52
Shoes: My own by Nine West $149
Total Spend: $462
2. Melbourne Cup
Melbourne Cup is a day to showcase your personality where colour and bold outfit designs are customary.
This next dress was from Portmans and would suit an hourglass or rectangle body shape. Inverted triangles need to be careful of the neckline as it will draw attention to your shoulders.
I personally chose the dress because it is beautifully fitted and combines two colours that I love together: hot pink and orange.
The geometric print of the dress is very flattering and captures most of the attention leaving little work for your accessories to do so be sure to keep them simple.
Dress: $129
Clutch: $29
Shoes: $59
Fascinator: $69
Total spend: $286
3. Oaks Day
The final outfit is for Oaks Day – also known as ladies day where the dress code invites ladies to showcase their femininity.
So off to Alannah Hill I went and found this divine dress that I had to try on. Although most of you know that I have a love (Melbourne) affair with the colour black, I also love cream and white ensembles.
The dream dress is constructed from soft feathers and delicate lace that you literally feel as light as a cloud when wearing it.
The intricate detail on the dress instantly exudes femininity and the dress also exercises this season’s white on white trend.
Cream accessories will complete this look but I’ve added a few ladylike features to complement the dress including small bows on the shoes, a floral headpiece and floral embellishment on the clutch.
Dress: $429
Clutch $139
Fascinator: $79
Shoes: $269
Total Spend: $916
Now ladies, if you are on a budget, don’t fret, there are an abundance of options for you so try Target and Forever New for the frock while Equip, Diva and Lovisa are great for jewellery and headwear.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this racewear fashion edition and for further inspiration and ideas, check out my Q&A video with Caulfield cup race-goers and see what they were wearing.
Oh, and one last thing: shoes! If shoes are uncomfortable when you first try them on, chances are you won’t make it through the day without them spending some time in your hand. It would take a whole other blog post to let you know what I think about that look 🙂
Enjoy the carnival!
Love Cindy x
You look amazing! I especially LOVE the Darby Day look…in fact, I am just about to go Review to purchase it….here’s hoping they still have it in store.
I hope you have luck getting it Kristie, it’s such a gorgeous dress, let me know!
back and white is just georgous… + great news about Megan in Brisbane. 🙂
Thanks Karen, I love black and white, so timeless and elegant, plus I am also lucky that they suit my colouring 🙂
Yes it is great news about Meagan now working for Style with Cindy as a stylist in Qld, now those in Qld have someone they can call on at anytime and not have to wait for my next trip 🙂
Hi Cindy,
Looking gorgeous as always. Would love some tips on the best “undergarments” when you have a moment.
Loving your book. Bye, Sharon x
Thanks Sharon, that’s a good idea for a blog post, especially coming into summer, I will do one next week, anything particular on the type of undergarments? Are you wanting tips on shape wear, or general tips on normal underwear?
That is soooooo good to hear you loving my book Sharon 🙂
Cindy x
The black and white outfit is beautiful
Thanks Elle……it is the most popular by far! I love black and white 🙂
Hi Cindy,
All of these outfits are simply stunning. My favourite on you is the Derby Day and the Oaks Day. The Derby Day one because it really cinches in your waist. Although I am curious you say that it excludes a triangle. I thought (and correct me if I am wrong) that the capped sleeves would balance out the thighs and the high neck would suit also a smaller bust.? (Not a strong triangle). I guess this is what you mean by being ‘filled’ lol. The cream lace is just gorgeous on you. Can’t wait for my book to arrive!
Thanks Anita! Yes, a thin triangle could possibly wear the dress but it as it is VERY fitted, it would cling to a triangles problem area!!! I just brought the Alannah Hill cream dress today and want the Review one also!!! I hope you enjoy reading the book.
Looking good cinds, just wanted to thankyou i bought a beautifull dress the oother day and a beaut pair of heels wich i wouldn.t have had the courage to go into the shops let alone buy and wear without your workshop and blogs. So thank you.
Thanks Sonja…….glad I am helping to keep the economy moving 🙂 I really am so pleased I’ve made a difference for you Sonja! xo
Hi Cindy,
I absolutely love the The Derby Day dress from Review, I am a huge fan of this label and seeing how great you look in this dress reminds me why. It was also very interesting to read the dress code etiquette for each race day.
Thankyou
Thanks Annette, I am pleased you enjoyed the blog. It was an on the run thing to do!!! x
Thanks Cindy! great post. Is that black nail polish you are wearing or a very dark other colour? Looks great, and works well with each piece. I always think of dark nail polish as being a bit too strong.
It is black as I have a slight addiction to it! 🙂 In Summer I will wear pink…….black does go with everything though!
Great outfits. Though have you ever tried shopping at local boutiques and not just Chadstone. You can find labels and unique items that are not stocked in larger centers. Just a thought.
I shop in local boutiques when I can Ilona, its just that I am based at Chadstone and do so many shops a week that as my afternoon client said today, that I know where to go quickly to pull outfits together. This comes from shop knowledge. Years ago I did strip shopping, so deliberately targeting smaller boutiques, but this was so much harder and not time friendly when someone is paying an hourly rate. I have my local boutique that I personally support whenever I’m around. 🙂 If I was a stylist with only a couple of shops a week, things could be different!! x