Talk Derby To Me

 

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Dress: Aje organza

Heels: Kitten D'Amour vegan leather

Bag: Review vinyl

Hinged Bangle: Wallace Bishop silver

Headpiece: Target satin, mesh

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Finally sharing all the pictures from this year's Spring Racing Carnival, starting with the first of the big days on the calendar - Derby Day - where the dress code is all things monochrome. Keeping with tradition, I've donned a black tiered organza rosette mini dress with cut-out at the waistline from Australian designer Aje, styled up with a pair of black & white vegan leather Mary Jane heels from Kitten D'Amour for a modicum of height, a boxy black vinyl handbag with white trim & bow from girly label Review to carry all the essentials, a chunky silver hinged bangle from Wallace Bishop for that touch of daytime shine & finally, an AMAZING black satin & mesh headpiece from my local Target store that I've worn to every single Derby Day for the last ten years... that still looks as good as the very first event... to complete the look.

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Derby Darling

 

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Dress: Anthea Crawford crepe, mesh, guipure lace

Heels: Wittner patent leather, matte leather

Bag: Swinging Chicks Shop via Etsy velvet

Belt: That Shop patent leather, elastic

Bangles: Gift, Dinosaur Designs resin

Rings: Gift, Dinosaur Designs resin

Headpiece: Target satin, mesh, grosgrain ribbon

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So excited to begin sharing with you all of the beautiful ensembles that I styled up to attend events for this year's Spring Racing Carnival, starting with Derby Day. Traditionally the day for a monochrome colour palette, I've "tweaked" tradition just a little bit by adding a pop of light pink colour to the mix to really take the whole look to the next level. I started with this stunning black crepe shift dress with black mesh yoke detailing & white floral guipure lace trim from celebrated Australian designer Anthea Crawford, cinched it with a retro-inspired wide black patent & elastic belt from That Shop & added a pair of white patent heeled slingbacks with black matte lather pointy-toes & a black & pink striped strap across the foot from Wittner & a black velvet knot bag from a little Spanish boutique called Swinging Chicks Shop via online emporium Etsy to carry all the essentials (seriously... this thing is like the TARDIS of handbags). To complete the look, I then added some funky resin jewellery pieces from Dinosaur Designs - a pair of chunky pink bangles & a trio of rings shaped like coral - & finished with a seriously statement-making headpiece made from satin, mesh & grosgrain ribbon that I picked up from my local Target store of all places for under $30 that looks a million bucks... hence why I keep storing the rather cumbersome item year after year...

Derby Day Darling

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Dress: Anthea Crawford stretch lace

Heels: Wittner patent leather, matte lather, grosgrain ribbon

Bag: Review vinyl with silver hardware

Headpiece: Target satin, mesh

Necklace: Witchery silver, agate

Cuffs: Witchery silver, agate

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Another Spring Racing Carnival done & dusted! For the first of the events - Derby Day - I donned the traditional monchrome colour palette in the form of a gorgeous Anthea Crawford butterfly printed stretch lace wiggle dress with ruffled neckline & fluted hem, shiny white heels with black matte pointy-toes & grosgrain ribbon strap with a teeny tiny hint of blush pink (rebel, rebel) from Wittner, boxy black vinyl hardcase handbag with white trim & bow detail from "girly" Aussie label Review (a great alternative to a clutch), oversized black satin & mesh headpiece from my local Target store that I pretty much re-wear every. single. year because it's so darn amazing & looks far more expensive than it actually was to buy & finally, a matching silver & white/grey agate stone necklace & cuffs from Witchery.

Off & Racing: Monochrome Magic

 

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Dress: Lover silk/chiffon

Slip: Taking Shape elastane

Booties: Wittner neoprene

Bag: French Connection suede with silver hardware

Bag Charm: Gift, faux fur

Bracelet: Pandora silver & onyx

Ring: Pandora silver & onyx

Headpiece: Target satin, mesh, hessian, grosgrain ribbon

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Derby Day. Traditionally a time for monochrome ensembles with a more "high fashion" vibe. I'm posing up a storm in a floral printed silk/chiffon smock with high gathered neckline & three-quarter-length balloon sleeves & matching waist tie belt from Aussie label Lover, stretchy black elastane slip from Taking Shape, funky black neoprene peeptoe booties with marbled heels from Wittner & boxy suede handbag with oversized silver hoop handles from French Connection, taken to the "next level" with the addition of a faux fur rabbit charm for good luck. Jewellery was kept simple - a matching silver & onyx charm bracelet & ring set from Pandora - so that the epic, sculptural fascinator (mesh, hessian & grosgrain ribbon on a satin band) from Target (yes, really!) could take centre stage. It really was quite the statement-maker sitting atop my even shorter, newly-chopped bob haircut!

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