Racing Fashion: 2015 Racing Fashion Trends

There are going to be a couple of major trends coming through for Spring Racing Carnival for 2015 but one of the most touched on subjects is that often with Street wear fashion we are following the United States, with Racing Fashion, United States is working on the Fashion at the track, but still remains the only place you can legally place a bet on the horses, thus you have not a higher echelon of clientele coming through the turnstiles.
United Kingdom is 'Hat Central' for leading Milliners although Australia is on par with talent, but looking at the fashion we are slowly being lead into the direction of what is correct attire. We may shun away and look to other directions and I love playing with fashion and going on magical whims to dance with unicorns on my head, but if we are talking about 'Fashion Elite' we are looking at Royalty and Aristocracy.
If you are not aware, there are about 200,000 people that attend on Derby Day during Spring Racing Carnival in Melbourne and allot of the traditional racegoers are in the Members Stands and dining and not in the 'Fashions on the Field' and 'Birdcage' enclosure. In saying that, we are also looking at demographics of ladies that are not just the young and gorgeous, but the fabulous forty plus and still want to stay in style and fashionable.
In Australia, I do believe this is an untapped market that ladies are currently having to look in after 5 attire, MOB (Mother of the Bride) or go to a couturier. Australia is one of the most expensive places in the world to live at present and in case you have not noticed we are not living in a economic time where we can constantly splurge. Recently I have seen many young ladies from Fashions on the Field trying to build up their Kitty for new season through selling re-cycled dresses. This is a great idea, but can lead others at the track knowing exactly who purchased what from whom for how much. This is where you have to become smart about your purchases. If you are going to sell them after a couple of wears, you don't love it that much. You have to look for longevity in your fabric and design. EG, if you are purchasing a dress for $1000 and you wear it 20 times with different hats and accessories I consider that dress $50. If I purchase a $300 dress and really don't love it and only wear it a couple of times, it really costs $150. Allot of ladies are wearing disposable fashion, which is cheap, nasty fabric, zips breaking and really only one wear. For the young 20 something, you cannot see yourself into you 30s and 40s and I accept that you want to show off your figure and why not, I would if I still could. But start to look for Invest Dressing. The most important Racewear item I have is a coat. No matter what season excluding Magic Millions, if you are not taking a full length or very warm coat along you are crazy. This is the one item, that will last you for years and will be your go to on the hood for a good 15 years if you purchase well. Look for the wool mark or cashmere if you are really going to invest.
I prefer not to purchase 'New Fur', but I will purchase and wear Vintage and that includes op shops. The best places are often where ladies estates of clothes have been thrown out and really better a fur goes on someones back than an animal goes on the trash heap. If you are going to throw in the fur card, be careful too as many people wear leather shoes and belts etc. Even feathers in your headpiece may be shun, but it is all personal choice.
2015, is the year that we will be taking allot from Royal Ascot and bringing back to Australia. In Australia the races and prize money are allot higher calibre although the prestige and novelty of Royal Ascot is always fun to see and experience International racing at its most glorious.
With the wait of royal baby, all eyes are on the Royal Family right now and if anyone has the money to dress well it is the Royal Family and Aristocracy. I have been meeting with a couple of Milliners and designers to the Royal Family and Aristocracy and they have been telling me, not about the people personally, but about the style of keeping it classic and modest. 2015 will be the year apart from gorgeous D & G florals etc, to go all one tone. Hues of tones will be featured and is a known classic. In saying this there will be exceptions to the rule and I will point this out in later blogs, but right now it is all about elegance and class. It is time for Pearls and stunning heirlooms that have been in the family to be dusted off. In having mainly one tone, you need a classic hat, hence, the BRIM BEING IN! everything must come up to the face. Don't get too heavy with the accessories, such as belts, bags and bangles. KISS, Keep it simple stupid, one of my favourite and and old Coco Chanel saying.
2015 is bringing back deportment, class, grace and knowing how to converse with others. Everyone is so busy with social media that really allot of common courtesy has been thrown out the window. There is nothing more low class than when talking to someone, they are constantly checking their phone and alerts to see who has been watching them. Let it go until the conversation has finished, there will be more etiquette on social media at the track soon. Meanwhile, go through your wardrobe and see what you can up-cycle. I don't care if we have seen you in the same outfit, it is the way you wear and style it that matters.