WHAT TO WEAR TO THE SPRING RACES
What to Wear to the Spring Races
Four race days, four looks: a touch of blue for Everest, black and white for Derby Day, a decisive red for Cup Day and soft florals for Ladies Day.
Spring racing is as much about the clothes as it is about the horses, and the Sydney carnival gives a wardrobe plenty to do. This guide takes four of the biggest days, Everest Day, Derby Day, Melbourne Cup Day and Ladies Day, and pairs each one with a look from Riada Concept in Woollahra, drawing on Alberta Ferretti, Ulla Johnson, Sara Roka, Plan C, Pierre-Louis Mascia, Henry Beguelin and Thierry Lasry. Each look is built around one idea, whether that is tonal neutrals, a single colour or a strict palette, so that the hat and the finishing pieces can do the rest.
A Touch of Blue
The theme for Everest Day at Royal Randwick on 17 October is A Touch of Blue, which makes the Sara Roka Margie Midi Shirt Dress in Navy and White Horse Print an obvious choice. A crisp white bodice sits above a full midi skirt painted with horses in navy and blue, and the navy ribbon sash belt is included. It is a dress that reads as tailored and artful at once.
For something with more colour, the Hortense Pleated Midi Shirt Dress in Flamingo Sky Print brings pink flamingos and tropical foliage in aqua, blue and green to a soleil-pleated skirt. Either dress works with the same cream finishing: the Block Heel Cross Strap Sandal in Gesso and the New Imbuto M Top Handle Bag in Gesso from Henry Beguelin, the Delicacy Sun 51 Sunglasses in Green Tortoiseshell and a pair of Gas Bijoux Ecume Earrings in Bicolor Gold.
The Classic Monochrome Edit
Derby Day, held on the Saturday before Melbourne Cup Day, is traditionally the black and white day at Flemington, and the palette translates well to any race day that calls for polish. Start with the Alberta Ferretti Double-Breasted Linen Blend Jacket in White over the Pierre-Louis Mascia Ranat Velvet Pencil Skirt in Black Ikat Diamond, a sharp, graphic pairing that needs nothing else. For something softer, wear the Camicia Shirt in Stretch Poplin, Dripping Roses in White, with its black and white floral, with the Plan C Stretch Cotton Poplin Skirt in Black.
The Ulla Johnson Marcelena Eyelet Knit Top in Noir is the quieter option, textured enough to sit under the white jacket or stand on its own. Finish with the Society x Faena Soft Cat-Eye Sunglasses in White and keep the rest of the accessories simple so the contrast does the work.
Statement Red
Melbourne Cup Day on 3 November is the day for colour, and red is the most decisive way to wear it. The Sara Roka Elodie Cotton Poplin Maxi Shirt Dress in Red Tulip Print puts oversized red and burgundy tulips on an ivory ground, with cap sleeves, side pockets and a coordinating red belt included. For a tonal take, the Vesna Sleeveless Jersey Top in Claret and Heloise Jersey Skirt in Claret from Ulla Johnson work as a matching set, with ruffle detailing across the bodice and hem.
Accessories can stay in the same family. The Plan C Patent Leather Slingback Heels in Fire Red add a glossy T-bar finish, the Plan C Paper Pearl Necklace in Vermilion Red hangs as a single teardrop on a silver-tone chain, and the Henry Beguelin Box S Catena Raffia Bag in Artico, in soft mint, is the unexpected counterpoint. Add a hat in a neutral or matching tone and let the red lead.
Ivory, Florals and Soft Elegance
Five Diamonds Ladies Day at Rosehill Gardens on 7 November is the most fashion-led day of the Sydney carnival, and ivory is the quiet way to get it right. Start with the Alberta Ferretti Sleeveless Ruffled Linen Blouse in Ivory and the Linen Thistle Print Midi Skirt in Ivory, a pairing in which the hand-drawn thistle gives an all-white look its point of difference. Warm neutrals do the rest: the ENVY Oversized Oval Sunglasses in Peanut Beige from Thierry Lasry, the Opaco Block Heel Mule Sandals in Camel and the Secchiello Catena Raffia Bag in Camel from Henry Beguelin, all in one tonal family.
For a more classic floral, the Ulla Johnson Elowen Sleeveless Silk Dress in Summer Garden needs very little added. Keep the shoes and bag in the same soft camel, choose a hat in a quiet shade, and the outfit holds from the first race to the last.
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