Given the time of the year I thought a “Race Day Style Edit Series” was in order…
With summer comes a many a horse racing event, and working out what to wear can be tricky. It’s daunting trying to work through all the ins and outs of race day outfits – what to wear, finding an alternate to wearing a fascinator, ensuring you are appropriately dressed, yet comfortable, and at the same time – wanting something that’s a little more ‘standout’ than the average outfit – it is the races after all, and that means its time to go all out!
Kicking off The Race Day Series is “finding an alternative to the fascinator”. Perhaps you are quite happy donning a fascinator. If so, you might want to skip this and tune in for the 2nd post in this series. I personally am NOT a fan of the average fascinator! So when I was invited by The Sofitel to attend the Melbourne Cup Race Day, held in the Sabrage Suite at the Ellerslie Racecourse, what first began as excitement for an amazing day out with media friends in tow, quickly turned to dread at the thought of donning a fascinator, never mind the ‘what to wear’ factor!
I can’t quite put my finger on what it is exactly that I dislike about the average fascinator. Perhaps it’s that most fascinators all look somewhat the same to me, no matter where you get them from. They really do look like several variations of the same thing with the addition of extra random frills, bows, lace and lattice-work here and there. Or perhaps it’s that they look like something exploded out of your head, but froze mid explosion. Or perhaps (and I think this is probably where the underlying dislike comes from) no matter who dons a fascinator, I am instantly transported to the ‘clusterbeep’ that was Fergie’s daughters at Kate and Will’s wedding. Now, this is clearly just my opinion, but does everyone not somewhat resemble Beatrice or Eugenie when wearing a fascinator? No? Just me? Ok, well that’s all I see anyway. And so that’s why I wanted something a little different to wear to Melbourne cup, whilst still keeping in Race Day themed garb.
The bejewelled head chain – I am completely obsessed and in love with bejewelled headwear and am also quite keen on a floral headpiece. And so this is exactly what I wore, as an alternate to the fascinator, for Melbourne Cup race day….
Pictured below: Colin Mathura-Jeffree, Angie Fredatovich (that’s me), Brendon Urlich and Reno Verikakis
Now I aint gonna lie – I did not do my own hair! I highly recommend going to get your hair done professionally (if the purse strings allow). I got mine done by the fabulous Kurt at Dry & Tea – City Works. It seriously takes a large chunk of the stress out of your day when you don’t have to worry about creating a fabulous up-do. I asked Kurt to create a hairstyle that would work in with my chosen bejewelled headband/chain/headdress (whichever you prefer) and said I would like something Gatsby-esque. And this is what Kurt created (isn’t he amazing?!).
The head-piece that I’m wearing is from Diva and it was less than $30. Total bargain! I loved it so much I actually went back to Diva and bought 2 more slightly different variations so that I had something to wear to future summer race days.
Another fabulous alternative to the fascinator is a large floral headpiece. Floral headpieces look fab with race day garb and they are so easy to make. I actually whipped one up in less than 10 minutes, before heading out the door to see Ginny Blackmore at the Belvedere Red Party last Saturday night, where we had to wear something red (I wore all black and made my red floral headpiece was the ‘red feature piece’. If you’d like a DIY Post on how to make your own floral headpiece, leave a comment below and let me know.
Hopefully this has given you a little Race Day inspiration.
Keep and eye out for this weeks VIVA in the NZ Herald this Wednesday – I believe this lil number might just be making an appearance. And stay tuned for my next Race Day post, where I’ll go into Race Day accessories, followed by a complete Race Day style edit.
Gatsby kisses xx
Ange
Gurlinterrupted
A Girl Interrupted By Fashion, Beauty & Anything Pretty That Catches My Eye
YES, floral headpiece DIY please.