Off & Racing

Finally posting all of my outfit photographs from the 2016 Spring Racing Carnival!

While it's true, I didn't fly down to Melbourne for the occasion, I styled up four gorgeous ensembles for events in my hometown of Brisbane that wouldn't have been out-of-place in the celebrated "Birdcage." Scroll down to see each look in detail; they just might provide you wish some inspiration for festive season outfitting... omitting the rather outre headpieces, of course!

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Dress: Certif Vintage via That Shop satin, tulle

Heels: Forever New vinyl with silver buckles

Bag: Forever New vinyl with silver hardware

Hinged Bangle: Heathergems silver & dyed heather (from Scotland)

Bracelets: Lovisa faux pearls

Headpiece: Lovisa satin, netting, feather

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For a luncheon celebrating the years of sartorial savoir faire & intrinsic elegance associated with the racing scene, it just had to be something ladylike & reminiscent of a by-gone era... Cue this stunning blue & white striped satin fit-to-flare "prom" dress with flower & flamingo print hemline & wide cummerbund-style belt from Certif Vintage (a lucky find from That Shop in Coolangatta), sky-high white vinyl heels with silver buckles & matching bag from Forever New (for that modern touch), an armful of faux pearl bracelets from Lovisa, silver & pink Heathergems hinged bangle (made from real, harvested heather that is then dried & dyed in a little town called Pitlochry in the Scottish Highlands) & finally, an oversized white satin headpiece with mesh netting & large feather to complete the look while adhering to accepted convention.

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Dress: Wayne Cooper mesh, elastane, embroidery

Belt: That Shop patent, elastic

Heels: Emerson @ Big W patent

Clutch: Taking Shape mesh, resin

Cuff: Gian Paolo Maria via Lannah Dunn silver, semi-precious stones, crystal

Ring: Swarovski silver, crystal

Headpiece: Target wire, mesh, satin

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Decked out for Derby Day celebrations in a monochrome ensemble comprising of a white mesh & embroidered floral mullet-hem dress with black lining & exposed back zipper from Wayne Cooper (exclusive to Myer) with a patent cinch belt from That Shop for added shape, black patent platform heels from Emerson at Big W for height, chrome hard-mesh clutch with black resin clasp from Taking Shape for edge & an oversized black satin, mesh & wire fascinator from Target. 

Jewellery was minimal yet full of impact: a Gian Paolo Maria pewter cuff, handmade in Paris and studded with semi-precious stones & Swarovski crystals, given to me as a birthday present when I turned thirty & sourced from Lannah Dunn in Brisbane City & a matching Swarovski crystal ring.

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Dress: Anthea Crawford jacquard

Wrap: Gift, silk (from Laos)

Heels: Emerson @ Big W patent

Clutch: Wittner vinyl

Bangles: Gift, rose gold

Ring: Gift, rose gold

Headpiece: Tree of Life rose gold

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Rather than a traditional Melbourne Cup Day celebration, this year I attended a charity event called "Empty Cup" where all the money that would have been spent on gambling & purchasing alcoholic beverages goes to eradicating poverty both in Australia & developing countries around the world. For such a wonderful occasion - for a worthy cause - I donned a stunning jacquard v-neck dress with mullet hemline from Anthea Crawford. 

Scroll down to check it out in all its unencumbered glory:

When it came to accessories, I chose a pair of black patent platform heels from Emerson at Big W (for height, obviously) and a shiny silver envelope clutch with black leather strap from Wittner, both playing "second fiddle" (as they say) to this gorgeous woven silk wrap that my brother brought back from a recent trip to Laos.

 Rose gold accessories completed the look - a pair of dragon-headed bangles with matching ring (gifted by a dear friend) & a rose gold tribal headpiece from Tree of Life.

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Dress: Portmans Signature silk

Wrap: Gift, silk (from Laos)

Heels: Novo patent

Clutch: Anthea Crawford vinyl with gold hardware & pearl

Cuff: Gift, vintage rose gold & diamante

Watch: Guess rose gold & silver

Hat: Gift, vintage satin

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Crown Oaks Day is traditionally known as "Ladies Day" & is a time for delicate fabrics & prints as well as prim & proper details. It was the perfect time to wear this divine embroidered floral silk dress in blush tones from Portmans Signature with its deep v-neckline, exposed back zipper & mullet hem... replete with tulle! The subdued shade meant that I could introduce colour with this beautiful burgundy woven silk wrap that my brother brought home from a recent trip to Laos. Check out the workmanship in detail below:

When it came to accessories, I decided to "mix it up" a little - a pair of patent blush heeled sandals with an Art Deco t-bar feature from Novo, blush vinyl hard-case clutch with rose gold hardware & a faux pearl clasp from Anthea Crawford to carry all the essentials (well, pretty much only lipstick, a coin purse & a comb would fit in there, truth be told...), silver & rose gold watch with diamantes around the face from Guess & a vintage rose gold aluminum cuff with rainbow diamantes that a dear friend gifted me for Christmas one year.

And the final flourish? An absolutely stunning turban-style vintage 1950s hat in sumptuous thick red satin with "flower" shaped beading detail that I was given by a friend who lives overseas to wear to the Melbourne Cup last year. I was very happy to be able to give it another outing in 2016! That's the magic of vintage - it never goes out of style!

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