Take a cue from the nation’s most elite designers and renew your racewear wardrobe with key themes to take you from winter to spring/summer. This year’s rendition of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia projected a symphony of options to take trackside, from power suiting to slip dresses. Fashion At The Races has curated a collection of our top 10 pieces from the nation’s most relevant runway.
AJE
Projecting the look of our Derby Day dreams, Aje’s monochrome midi dress fuses a delicate damsel with a fierce fashionista by the edge of the double leather belt. This race day is all about the details, rendering the textured polka dot fabric, metallic buttons and seam detail ultra-relevant.
ALICE MCCALL
Looking back at the history of racewear, the two-piece featured heavily from the mid 1960s. The decade of swing has finally made a comeback to the track in Alice McCall’s mod two-piece. Featuring a metallic woven fabric reminiscent of Glomesh, a paired gold brooch and that very extra gold fringe, this ensemble is made for a sultry sartorial throwback.
BEC + BRIDGE
A serious mood for a stormy season, this burgundy Bec + Bridge midi dress appropriates your slip dress cravings for a carnival. The bias-cut sleeve dress features a ¾ split with an asymmetrical hem, Rouleau waist tie belt and a low round back fit for a true street style maven.
CARLA ZAMPATTI
Could there be a better match than classic Carla Zampatti contouring and an updated tuxedo dress? This marigold mini is screaming for a Melbourne Cup debut. A nod to spring, the cheeky shoulder cut-out and contrasting lapel join forces with the sleek double-breasted structure for a mega street style moment.
JONATHAN SIMKHAI
Conjuring visions of polo and Pol Roger, Jonathan Simkhai’s scarf dress is earmarked for a sunny spring day. The wrap effect of the flowing streams of baby pink, burnt orange and navy linked together with leather impressions make this floating asymmetrical dress as wonderful barefoot on a beach as it is on grass.
LEO & LIN
Nothing says race-ready like a hint of lace and a healthy dose of frills. Leo & Lin’s flora and fauna patterned fabric creates intrigue with its clash of bustier structure and bohemian ruching. This mini dress’s cherry blossom hues inspire an endless wardrobe of blushing beauty looks.
MARIAM SEDDIQ
Mariam Seddiq’s floral brocade suit is for the woman avoiding the ordinary. The plunging neckline can be easily adapted to racewear with the addition of the right undergarment and is the embodiment of a silver lining on a cloudy race day. The vixen vibes can be turned up or down with edgy accessories.
MICHAEL LO SORDO
Derby Day but make it Gatsby. Add some flapper feelings to your monochrome look in this layered slip that defies all expectations. While fascinators have been firmly out for a while, the feather details in this Michael Lo Sordo piece are most welcome on any field.
THURLEY
Racing favourite Thurley presented the paisley print of our Oaks Day reveries. Carried on from 2018, the trending ultra-voluminous cuff sleeve provides a structured contrast against the feminine fabric and fluttering hemline. Pictured here with pearls, the colour palette is an ideal match for this season’s millinery move towards pearl-adorned clips.
WE ARE KINDRED
Embrace your inner goddess in We are Kindred’s billowing white gown from their Boheme Heart Resort ’20 collection. The cold shoulder dress works as beautifully with a casual pair of ankle boots as it would with a stiletto, while the frills and peplum balance the sleeve drama. For the free spirit at the track, this white moment is best matched with millinery fit for a seventies siren.
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