A Guide to Spring Racing Style with Wanted Shoes

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Spring racing season; arguably the only time of the year where I can completely embrace anything that's bright, floral or a painstakingly attention-grabbing colour other than pink.

I love it.

When Wanted Shoes asked me to style and creatively direct a photoshoot for 5 of their key Spring Racing styles I had to refrain from responding with an over-enthusiastic 'heck yes!' to their modest email (not professional Rochelle).

5 inspiring pairs of shoes paired with lace, florals, block colours and outfits that were way too luxe for the middle of the day. Ok, I can see why they chose me for the job.

The brief was clear, I was to style 5 different looks for the different race days during Spring. You know, Derby Day, Melbourne Cup Day, Oaks Day...

No, I didn't know. To be honest, I had to do a bit of research to figure out the fashion faux pas of racing season. What you can where when and on which day, there's so many rules!

If you're as clueless as me, don't worry, I've put together a guide you can bet on for nailing your look.


O N E : O A K S  D A Y

Also known as 'ladies day', this one is all about embracing your feminine side, however you express it! As soon as I read that Oaks Day was all about frills, volume, pastels and florals, I knew I'd have something perfect, but not even I thought I'd be able to get all those things into one look!

Floral and pastel, I knew this MVN The Label playsuit was the most perfect thing in my wardrobe. It even has bell sleeves and frills, tick!

I went all out on the accessories too with a pastel pink Abbott Lyon clutch and a floral fascinator.
With all that going on, I opted for some simple Alias Mae block heels from Wanted Shoes. With a bold buckle and premium tan leather they were the perfect heels to round out the look.


T W O : D E R B Y  D A Y

Ok, you guys know I love a little white dress, especially when it involves lace. So this MVN The Label dress was the obvious choice when I heard that Derby Day is strictly a monochrome affair!

Keeping things sophisticated and simple, I went for some thin strapped, Mollini black heels, available at Wanted Shoes.

I couldn't resist adding something a little extra to my black & white style, so chose a gold Morgan & Taylor fascinator and statement gold earrings from The 604. I thought my go-to Tony Bianco bag with it's striped strap added the perfect edge, toning down what would normally be your typical feminine style.

With colours absolutely forbidden, Derby Day seems to evoke the least traditional 'Spring racing' style, so that's why I set out to do something a little different with this look. No florals here!



T H R E E : M E L B O U R N E  C U P

Being the headliner of race season, Melbourne Cup day is the day when you should pull out all the stops. Bright, bold colours are encouraged and striking headpieces are almost essential.

I went with a form-fitting dress from Beginning Boutique that's bold in both it's colour (blush of course!) and it's cut-outs in all the right places (just look at that leg split!).
I dug out my most extreme fascinator from Morgan & Taylor and complimented the look with layered gold accessories and a trending rattan bag.

As for the shoes? Strappy, nude, Alias Mae heels from Wanted Shoes completed the outfit, because this day is all about bringing out the best of the best!


F O U R : S T A K E S   D A Y

When I read that stakes day was a more casual race I revelled in the idea of putting together an outfit that said it all, without saying too much.

It was the perfect opportunity to style these khaki block heels by Mollini from  Wanted Shoes. I picked these ones because they were both comfortable and casual, but definitely nothing short of ah-ma-zing!

As for the outfit, I couldn't go past this striking playsuit from Delphine The Label. With it's shorter hemline and v-neckline it definitely passed as a more casual style, well, at least to me it did! But those dramatic sleeves and darling details still made it super races appropriate!


F I V E : U P  T O  Y O U !

Yep, they let me go rouge on this one! As long as I stuck to a Spring racing style I could put together my final look, without the rules.

I went for something much less traditional, no colours, no prints and definitely not as feminine. Instead I opted for a black leather Sabo Skirt dress and a thick black belt with a gold buckle. Granted, the dress does have some frills so I'd say it meets the criteria!

The strapy, striped and buckled Alias Mae heels from Wanted Shoes definitely stole the show and that's exactly how I planned it to be. I mean, how could you not let these shoes take all the credit?

With this look, I wanted to prove that despite the rules and traditions of racing season, you don't have to go for the typical spring looks that first come to mind. In fact, I'm a big believer in wearing whatever makes you feel fierce, wether it's black leather or pastel florals. Or in my case, a bit of each!


Post a Comment

FOLLOW @JUSTANOTHERMANNEQUIN

© JUST ANOTHER MANNEQUIN. Design by FCD.