What to wear to the autumn racing carnivals?

WHAT EVERY WOMAN NEDS: What to wear to the autumn racing carnivals

IT’S time for all fillies to saddle up for the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.

So it’s little wonder that some women take months to plan their racing wardrobes. They have outfits made to match their hats, or hats created to complement their outfits. It’s a serious business. And the really serious often prepare two outfits per race day – one for warmer weather and another if the day turns cold!

Even if you’re planning a less-than-serious outing to your local race course, a hat or head piece is a must for any racegoer – novice or otherwise. But what do you wear to the autumn racing carnivals?

While hats are compulsory for those who wish to enter fashions on the field, celebrated Sydney milliner Nerida Winter believes hats are more than that.

“Hats are also about entertainment; they’re not just a statement of etiquette or conformity,” she says.

 

So don’t be pipped at the post in the style stakes. Before you head to the track, consider these top tips to make your day more memorable or, at the very least, more comfortable.

WHAT TO WEAR TO AUTUMN RACING CARNIVALS?

Due to the cooler weather, the rules of autumn racing dressing are slightly different. Unlike spring, there are particular requirements for hats, heels and outfits.

When it comes to dressing your head a headpiece is ALWAYS required.

Traditionally, a felt or wool hat is required for autumn racing. (Hats or headpieces made or straw are forbidden.) But hats can be expensive and, because of their unique and individual styles, can really only be worn a few times. So less expensive fascinators and simple headpieces are preferred. For autumn racing they should be made of metal or leather. Or for the less adventurous, flowers in the hair are still approved.

If you’re looking for last-minute hat options, try national department stores – Myer and David Jones and look for labels such as Gregory Ladner, the Two Mrs Grevilles, Fiona Powell and Kasmo. In Sydney try Hatmaker,  Jane Lambert or Neil Grigg. In Melbourne seek out Julie Fleming, Louise Macdonald, Serena Lindeman or Kerrie Stanley.

But if you’re on a budget or you can’t find what you want, create something truly individual by adding ribbons, feathers or flowers onto a basic hat. Your local Lincraft, Spotlight or haberdashery stores are brimming with choice. The key is to make sure your hat is comfortable, as you’ll be wearing it all day.

When it comes to your outfit, a level of decorum is required. Avoid anything too tight, revealing, short, strapless or midriff-baring. Also keep in mind that the races are a daytime event, so be wary of materials and shapes that say “evening” such as metallic, sequins or high shine materials.

An outfit with sleeves is preferred as are more structured pieces. Select smartly tailored pieces to wear with heels and save your wispy printed or lace dresses for spring carnival. Because of the cooler temperatures, think carefully about what goes on top as well. A jacket or coat is just as important as your choice of dress or blouse underneath.

And shoes MUST have closed toes, so look for pumps or ankle boots — NEVER open toes or strappy sandals.

WHAT HAT STYLE SUITS WHAT FACE SHAPE?

The following are general rules of thumb regarding head shapes and suitable hat styles.  Ideally, you want a hat that is wider than the broadest part of your face (including glasses). This can be achieved by the width of the crown, brim or trimmings.

Oval face … you can wear most shapes. But be cautious if you are tiny, avoid the over-large hat style.

Round face choose a hat with a tall crown, an uplift brim and off-centre trim will add length to the face.

Square face select a hat with height and irregular outline. An oversized crown is excellent. Since your face is broad your hat should soften your features.

Oblong face (long) you need a hat to widen and soften the facial features.  A mushroom brim hat with a full blown look is ideal.  Avoid the tall narrow hat, as this will make the face appear to thin.

Triangle face (wide) … you should wear a hat that sits on the back of the hairline. The hat should have width as you need to widen your narrow brow and minimise the strong jaw line. A breton or turban draped low and wide will do the trick.

Heart-shaped face … wear your hat deep on the brow, large brims are great.

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HOW TO WEAR YOUR HAT

Think carefully of how your hair sits with your headpiece or hat. Typically, long hair is pinned or pulled into a chignon or ponytail. Remember, you’re trying to achieve an overall effect – the hat should be part of the outfit, not a haphazard add-on.

1: Make sure your hats sits firmly on your head so your hands are free for eating, drinking and talking! If your hat feels a little loose, use a hat pin, or wear a headpiece with a stitched in hair comb.

2: If you plan to make a statement with your hat, keep your outfit simple. However, if your outfit is bright and colourful, keep your hat small and simple.

3: If you have long hair, pull your hair into a chignon – either high on your crown under the hat, or low at the bottom of the hat – which will provide an anchor for a more full-fitting hat. Keep your hat in place with hair pins or use the hair combs stitched inside.

4: If you are tall you can carry off large-brimmed hats in a contrasting shade to your outfit, to break up on strong colour. But don’t wear hats with high crowns if you are very tall and slim – they will only make you look taller.

5: If you are short, wear small-brimmed hats, especially if you have a rounded figure – large brims will make you look shorter and plumper. For extra height, wear hats with tall crowns, and one that co-ordinates rather than contrasts, with your outfit.

6: If you opt for a fascinator or small headpiece, wear slightly to the front to one side above one eye, NOT in the centre.

7: Always try on hats with your outfit to make sure you get a good colour match and a feel for the overall look.

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HOW TO AVOID HAT HAIR

1: If you have long hair and plan on wearing it down, take a small amount of hair near the crown, twirl it around and pin into a chignon (small bun) on the crown before you put your hat on. Not only only will you have a place to put your hatpin (the chignon will provide a good anchor), but when you take the hat off and unpin the chignon, the top layer of your hair will be wavy and full, and voila, no hat hair.

2: On the other hand, if you straighten your hair, a hat can help maintain the straight look.

3: Those with short hair should ruffle your hair after removing the hat and then it leave alone; too much fussing only makes it worse.

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HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR HAT

  • Avoid getting your hat wet.
  • Fix “bruises” by steaming. Place the affected area over a steaming kettle and gently push back into its original shape.
  • Re-align brims that have been knocked out of shape by gently bending the wire back to the original shape.
  • Remove any marks with dry cleaning fluid, such as white spirit. Apply sparingly on a clean cloth or cotton wool, and gently remove the mark with a circular motion. Do not overwork as you could remove some colour from the hat.
  • Remove dust by gently brushing the hat. Always brush with the nap, hold the hat with the brim towards you and brush from left to right.
  • Don’t throw out the hat box that came with your hat. It’s perfect for keeping your hat looking its best, to avoid crushing the hat and trim, and prevent dust and dirt build-up when not in use.

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A FEW MORE POINTS

1: It’s a long day, so if you plan on wearing heels, make sure they are comfortable and broken in.  Nothing worse than seeing a women carrying her shoes as she continues to walk – or should I say stumbling – barefooted around the course!!!! It’s so not ladylike!

2: Not sure how to traverse the lawn areas without damaging your favourite – and expensive – pair of heels? Never fear, there’s a product for that! Starlettos are here. Shaped like a little flower, Starlettos are small discreet attachments that cup the bottom of your heel, increasing the surface area to the ground so that when you wear heels on grass they don’t sink in and get damaged.

3: If you plan on entering the Myer Fashions on the Field competition, the prizes are amazing so it’s well worth taking the time to plan your outfit. Generally, the judging panel will be looking for style, originality, attention to detail, understanding and interpretation of the current fashion trends, grooming and deportment. But at the end of the day it’s about the overall co-ordinating look.


Are you heading out to the track? Or will you be like the rest of the country watching on television in the office? Happy betting and good luck. Ever stylishly yours …

 

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