Spring racing fashion: Sharp silhouettes are firm favourites

Spring racing delivers an annual changing of the guard in fashion trends.

Often getting the outfit right comes down to knowing how to modernise the classic raceday themes, and wearing it like it was meant just for you.

Women’s style

Strong silhouettes are predicted to dominate for women this year and power suiting is back, along with palazzo pants and cropped blazers.

Structure is the ticket to a winning look. However, Victorian Racing Club’s official stylist Elliot Garnaut says suiting does not mean corporate.

“Go for a strong pant suit, but wear it with a fitted blazer and show off your decolletage a little,” he says.

Stella Artois Caulfield Cup Day (October 2o) and Ladbrokes Cox Plate Day (October 27) are less formal and the days to opt for  contemporary labels and edgy street-style inspired looks.

Why not give a nod to pastel (complemented by bell sleeves and frills on dresses and blouses); go for separate suiting (think the ’90s look, kept chic with slick millinery and block heels or stilettos); or try patterns – floral, animal print and stripes for an eclecticism that is perfect for the fashion thrill-seeker.

When it comes to millinery, The Eternal Headonist has daring, artisan pieces, Matcho Suba delivers on sweeping bold statements, and modern crowns and perspex creations rule the collections of Danica Erard Millinery.

Ted Baker racing ambassador Brooke Meredith’s tip is to aim for understated.

However, she says: “It’s more relaxed at Caulfield, so it’s an opportunity to express your own style and wear something that makes you feel good.

“Prints are a great option, pastels are a big hit, but tonal dressing done well is also another way to look on-trend – go for pops of colour with accessories to keep it fresh.”

The dress code is more classic on Flemington’s big days.

Traditionally, the AAMI Victoria Derby (November 3) is black and white, but if you must do a print, consider a contemporary point of view with polka dots, plaid, tweed or Prince of Wales checks – a nod to British royalty.

Although Kennedy Oaks Day (November 8) is always about feminine style, Lexus Melbourne Cup Day (November 6) is where racegoers can modernise the bright colour theme of the occasion with baby pinks, lilac or blues, instead.

Men’s style

Pastels, chic three-piece suits and tonal dressing is the key to a winning menswear look at the races this season.

But there’s a fine art to curating an outfit and, according to Miles Wharton of The Bespoke Corner Tailors, men must take note of a few rules before they walk out the door.

“A three-piece suit will always turn heads,” says Wharton, who specialises in custom-made premium fabric suits from Europe. “Leave your business suit and corporate shirt behind, this is not the day.’’

Pinstripe and wide chalk-stripe suits and checks are a hot favourite for this year. Linen blends and mohair are best for breathability. And you’ll win extra points if you can strut like a dandy straight from an Italian piazza for a day at the track.

It’s the season to think tonal, the time for tobacco and sandy tones, and pops of pastel, but always muted and nothing bold.

Tell your sartorial story of 50 shades with a single colour in mind.

Slim-fitting suits are still king, but a slightly more relaxed silhouette is winning precedence – just make sure your pants aren’t too tight, because nothing looks worse than ill-fitting trousers.

And if you’re doing the cropped length, be wary of nothing too short; you don’t want anything above your ankle.

As the head of menswear for The Iconic, Tom Simpson travels the world several times a year looking out for the best in men’s fashion trends.

He says the spring racing season will see a renaissance of the neutral suit, and pale linens will reign supreme.

Simpson urges punters to think tonally – go all white or all black – but the look must be worn with confidence. “Match your cream linen suit with a pastel colour tie and some brown leather loafers,” Simpson says. “And for the more daring gentleman, my suit colour suggestion of the season is khaki.”

When it comes to footwear, the loafer is not going anywhere, while brogues and double monk straps are also highly recommended. “Designers like Gucci have made sure that the loafer will never die,” Simpson says.

“Slimmer shapes and horse-bit details have been key loafer trends the past few seasons. If you’re confident and stylish, you can go that one step further and wear the latest rebellious ‘son-of’ trend – the open-back loafer.”

Simpson’s tip to look the part on the more casual days – such as Caulfield’s carnival and Flemington’s Seppelt Wines Stakes Day – is to ditch the collared shirt. “Shirtless suiting looks dominated the catwalks in Paris and Milan,” Simpson says. ‘‘I’ve tried it and it has definitely made me stand out from the regular suited crowd.”