Frocks and fillies

Brittany Pooley
Brittany Pooley

With Wingatui Melbourne Cup Day fast approaching, you’ll have a field day with Brittany Pooley’s latest piece on cup day fashion.

 

Wingatui Melbourne Cup Day is one of Otago's most prestigious social events. This year, it falls on Tuesday, November 7. Attendance has been a decade-long tradition at this Otago racecourse.

It attracts people from all over New Zealand in observance of horse racing and fashion. This year is expected to be no different, with upwards of 7000 people attending.

For every fashion-loving local, cup day is a must-attend for the Fashion in the Field competition alone. This year's sponsor is fashion boutique Refined Rig. It is known for its professional styling services, so planning and styling your outfit is essential.

In anticipation for the event, let's talk cup day fashion styles and inspirations.

Colour block your look this race day. Photo: Getty Images
Colour block your look this race day. Photo: Getty Images

BLOCK YOUR COLOURS

Make a statement with this year's block colour trend. Style pieces of opposing hues on the colour wheel to create cool and complementary colour combinations. This fashion trend originated from paintings by Dutch painter Piet Mondrian, who continues to inspire colour palettes of designers and stylists alike. The art of block colouring is in the styling. The colour staples for this year are bright red, yellow, green and blue or alternatively opt for pastels and white. Try a tri-coloured outfit or stick with one hyper-saturated colour throughout for a monochromatic ensemble. For a fun, cohesive look for you and your friends - pick a colour each and colour block as a group.

Adam Tomlinson and Amy Pejkovic attend the Moet and Chandon Spring Champion Stakes Day at Royal...
Adam Tomlinson and Amy Pejkovic attend the Moet and Chandon Spring Champion Stakes Day at Royal Ranwick Racecourse in Sydney earlier this month.PHOTO: REUTERS

POLISH YOUR ACCESSORIES

For a polished look this cup day, seek out metallic accessories. This autumn/winter trend is carrying through to summer, and emerging in fashions throughout Australia and New Zealand. Start with your headpiece, and work your way down. Carry this lustrous fashion through your outfit with matching statement earrings or clutch and shoes. Look for golds, rose golds, metallic lilacs and silvers. Laser cut metallic crowns have become an increasingly popular cup day staple. I took a shine to this gold laser cut leather crown worn with a simple little black dress.

Photo: Reuters
Photo: Reuters
SHADE THE COMPETITION

Opt for this accessory to shade your Fashion in the Field competition. Sunglasses are a necessity for styling your cup day look, and protecting yourself from the glare over the track. Coloured lenses or and heavily-jewelled frames are a must-have. Have fun with your styling by swatching colours and patterns from your other accessories. Keep your eye make-up minimal and pair your shades with a bold lip and highlight for maximum appeal.

Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images

ROMANTICISE YOUR LOOK

Crowds will fall for a romantic impression on cup day fashion next month. After the appearance of many beautiful Zimmerman pieces at Fashion in the Field last year, we can expect to see a re-emergence with tiers of ruffles at this year's event. Adopt this aesthetic with feminine silhouettes ornamented with ribbons, frills and lace in shades of dusky pinks, purples, blues and yellows. Flirt with romantic florals for a refined look. Take inspiration from this idyllic Bohemian piece offset with a bold clutch for a modern take on tradition, perfect for a cup day setting.

Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images

MAXIMISE YOUR SLEEVES

Big sleeves are a sure way to maximise your look. Accentuated sleeves add dimension and balance to your outfit. Whether it be long, short, off the shoulder, one shoulder or with accented cuffs, you'll look larger than life. Play with shape, silhouette and embellishments, the bigger the better. I love the softer look of this sheer white tulle sleeve on this gold dress with beading, showing how sleeves can add scale and interest to a minimal, feminine silhouette.

Photo: Supplied
Photo: Supplied
BOW DOWN TO THE BOW TREND

Bows are the perfect accent to embellish a minimal look. Adopt this trend through pussy-bow dresses, bow-topped shoes, bow sleeves and low bow hair styles. If fascinators aren't your thing, soften your look with the low bow trend this cup day. Tie a silk bandeau around your head or a low bun and drape down your back for a delicate, romantic look. Opt for white or navy and adorn your attire with a statement earring, or select a print to liven your look. Shop around or visit your local fabric store for an affordable piece of silk to compliment your cup day outfit.

Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images

REFRESH YOUR HEADPIECE

Last year, saw a boom in botanicals, and this trend hasn't dried out. Fresh flowers make for a beautiful, refreshing take on the traditional cup millenary. Wear your blooms as a crown for full impact, tucked into your styled up-do or attached to a barrette for a subtle touch. Fresh flowers headpieces make for a conversation piece for the event. I love florist Ayla Hawkins' botanical designs using local blooms shown at this year's iD Fashion Week. Pay her a visit for more inspiration on how to cascade yourself springtime blooms this cup day.

 

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