Fashion

Oakbank & Clare Races Style Wrap

As the cooler weather sets in, leather, knits, layers and more adorned racegoers at the Clare and Oakbank races during the Easter Long Weekend. Check out who wore what in our style wrap.

Who else was in holiday mode heaven over the long weekend? We were, but the lure of fashion and sunshine was enough to drag us out of our cosy retreats and out to the track. Usually we are a dynamic duo but the racing action was split into two locations on Saturday so Cat ventured up into the Adelaide Hills to the Oakbank Races while Mel set off through wine country to the Clare Races. With plenty of fun, fashion and racing on show here’s what we found on our travels…

Clare Races Recap

On the weekend at Clare we saw the fashion range from Balenciaga to Big W and everything in between. In a sea of floppy felt hats there were a handful of outfits that left very little to the imagination with strapless tops and short skirts a-plenty but this was to be expected as the party atmosphere trackside was buzzing with an energetic ‘younger’ crowd. There were many racegoers dressed in casual outfits along with those who had spent time meticulously planning and putting together their unique outfits.

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‘Fashions at the Races’ best dressed female winner Auburney, was popular with the crowd and turns out the judges loved her look too. The structural draping of her Balenciaga dress was co-ordinated with a pair of very practical Louboutin wedges (a great option for a day on grass) and Myer headband.

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Brad’s Y.D. suit and accessories were a sharp looking combination. The mix of paisley prints and colours shows that it can pay off to take a risk and try something new. “I just went in and got the whole outfit there, the shirt was my addition but she (the assistant) did the rest”. Brad’s lapel pin and pocket square were a nice touch and got him over the line winning the ‘Best Dressed Male’.

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Brooke’s bubbly personality shone through in her bright outfit which was made up of fun little accessories including yellow gloves from Ebay, pretty flower earrings from Lovisa, heels from Novo and a complimenting Olga Berg clutch. Brooke made her season appropriate felt hat (The Great Hatsby) to match the colours in her City Chic skirt.

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Looking very dapper and ‘Ascot’ ready was Matt from Clare who was in a stylish suit topped off with a felt Akubra top hat from Adelaide Hatters.

Oakbank and Clare Race Day Fashion

Penny from Melbourne wore a black Sports Girl hat, Tiger Lilly dress and Cotton on shoes. Ash from Adelaide was wearing an outfit featuring a Finders Keepers print skirt, Mollini shoes and Bardot top. Her on trend boater hat was from General Pants Co and custom made leather clutch, which belonged to her grandmother, pulled the outfit together nicely.

Oakbank and Clare Race Day Fashion

It was clear that Debra had spent time putting her elegant outfit together. She planned everything around the Panama wide brimmed hat and hand bag set which she bought while on holiday with her husband in Ecuador.

Oakbank and Clare Race Day Fashion

Little Noah was too cute in his waistcoat, jacket and top hat. His mum went shopping at the last minute and found his gorgeous little hat at the Central Markets and outfit from Myer.

Oakbank and Clare Race Day Fashion

I bumped into Thomas on the way out and had to stop him so I could get a closer look at his eye catching accessories. His fashion advice for ‘the blokes’ is to get an affordable suit, like his from ASOS, and play around with the accessories such as a printed tie, lapel pin and novelty tie clips (from My Suited Life). A brave choice of pink creates a point of interest against the blue suit. The standout for me was the pistol tie clip on the floral tie which seamlessly pull all the elements of his stylish outfit together.

Oakbank and Clare Race Day Fashion

 

Oakbank Wrap Up

On Saturday I headed up to the beautiful Adelaide hills to Oakbank Racecourse for The Races SA Fashion at the Races heat. Arriving to an overcast outlook, I set out to find some fashionable fillies and fellows. Whilst looking around I was reminded that Oakbank and other country race meets call the attendance of the more casual race goer.

I headed to ‘The Paddock’ where I couldn’t help but see Sarah, from Adelaide, standing out from the crowd. Sarah encompassed everything, hip, vintage and individual, making sure her personal style was present in her raceday outfit. She teamed together a black pleated full skirt from Seed with a cream vintage look lace top from Oxford. Then adding her personal touches with her purse that she purchased on a recent trip to Vietnam, her simplistic jewellery choices of a Larsson and Jennings silver watch, silver bangle and Tiffany and Co necklace. Sarah finished her vintage inspired look with a very sensible pair of black Asos booties and her preloved hat that she picked up from her local Vinni’s.

Oakbank and Clare Race Day Fashion

Walking through the member’s area I spotted Arrabella from Adelaide. This outfit really caught my eye and if I’m honest I spotted the back of this amazing visor before anything else! When Arrabella turned around I was pleasantly surprised by her full black-on-black outfit. It isn’t always easy to pull off this look, but she seemed to hold this style with a sense of ease, proving that if you feel comfortable and confident in your outfit you can pull most things off. Arrabella chose a long sleeve leather Scanlan and Theodore dress (perfect of the chillier and overcast day) black peeptoe Sass and Bide boots and a black beaded necklace from local South Australian designer Sally Phillips. She pulled the whole outfit together with this amazing leather visor with silver buckle accents, that she purchased from Scanlan and Theodore aned added a little bit of contrast with her black and white Scanlan and Theodore handbag. It was great to know that Arrabella is shopping local and supporting our local designers and retailers.

Oakbank and Clare Race Day Fashion

Finding the more dapper fellow at Oakbank proved to be a littler harder than normal, but I did find the two Jacks! Jack number 1 (pictured below left) from Woodside was very proud of his raceday outfit, boasting his ability to choose something classy, but still keeping in line with the more casual race day. Jack number 1 visited Tailors of Distinction to purchase his shirt, tie and jacket and then headed to Zara to find his on trend beige chinos. I liked the light blue check in Jack’s jacket and the softer tones of his pink tie with navy spots.

Oakbank and Clare Race Day Fashion

Jack number 2 (pictured above right) from Wayville was also very keen to show off his race day style. Putting together his light blue and white Mulberry check shirt, self embossed navy Peter Shearer Jacket and bright red and white CH HC tie. Jack number 2 continued his classic gentleman’s look with a pair of stone chinos from Gazman.

Both Jacks chose to finish off their looks with brown RM William boots. Although I would have liked to seen a pocket handkerchief, a tie pin or clip or maybe even a hat, I think these two young lads have done a great job. Also a special mention to Jack number 1 for taking home the prize for Best Dressed Male.

I didn’t see a lot of general race goers wearing millinery and I was a little disappointed to see so much denim, making the day feel very casual. In saying that, it did make the people who made a bit of an effort stand out.

I think that Emma from West Beach really nailed the causal raceday outfit. She also proved that you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to look classy. Her white Asilio skirt had beautiful A-symmetrical hemline and she added a simple black singlet top tied into a knot at the front and a cute pair of black and white laced wedges from Cotton On. Her black basket weave clutch was from Kmart and her season appropriate felt hat was from Wittner.

Oakbank and Clare Race Day Fashion

Now onto the Fashion at the Races heat, I was very happy to see a lot of colour!

A lot of the ladies had gone to a lot of effort with many of them designing and making their own outfits and millinery.

I was excited that my top three pick were the same as the judges. Wearing a dress and jacket she made her self, in third place was Shannon Graham. In second place was Melanie Horn, showcasing a headpiece from local South Australian milliner, Millinery by Lou Lou. In first place and now moving onto the finals at Oaks day is Katica Cockshell from Marion.

Katica looked stunning in her light mint green lace dress from Asos and her hand crafted boater hat in the same mint hues that she made to go with her dress. Katina really wanted to follow the classic, lace and minimalistic look that we are currently seeing a lot of in race wear fashions. She also wanted to add an extra element, choosing to go with a white Olga Berg clutch and white Nine West heel. Congratulations Katina, I think you looked fabulous and I look forward to seeing what you wear to the finals.

Oakbank and Clare Race Day Fashion

Oakbank and Clare Race Day Fashion

I wanted to give a little mention to these two little cuties. Poppy (11) from Willunga is a budding fashion designer. She chose her fabric, designed the dress and had it made while she was in Bail on holiday, she also found her cute wedges on the trip. She searched high and low at Marion Shopping Centre to find a headpiece that matched the peachy coral tones in her dress. Poppy told me that she can’t wait to be old enough to compete with the ladies in Fashion.

Also a stand out for the little ones was Wilson (2) from Sydney, who was at Oakbank with his Mum, Dad and extended family for the Easter holidays. Wilson showed that it doesn’t matter how little you are, you can be a little trend setter. Wilson was wearing Country Road pants, a J Crew Shirt, Vest and Jumper from seed and Clerks dessert boots.

Clare Race Day Fashion

The Adelaide Autumn Racing Carnival is next on the calendar so keep an eye out for our season appropriate suggestions of what to wear on Oaks Day, Derby Day and Goodwood Day at Morphettville in May.

 

 

The Racewear Carousel website is launching soon but meanwhile you can check them out on their Instagram or Facebook.

By Racewear Carousel – Melissa Barnes and Cat Southern.

 

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