What a week! Derby Day, Melbourne Cup Day and Crown Oaks Day.
I’ve attended all three days for the past two years and, although it is a lot of fun, Spring Carnival is a full on week. And I don’t travel light either. So, with two big suitcases, 40kg of luggage and 5 hats, off to Melbourne I flew for Spring Carnival.
A Tour of the New Flemington Park
The Grounds
The Park is the newest addition to Flemington Racecourse. The area is at the back of Flemington and entry is free to all ticket holders. I’m grateful to the marketing genius who came up with the idea!
In terms of visual appeal, it’s gorgeous. From the moment you walk through the gold and green leafy arches, it’s as if you’ve stepped into a mini carnival!
It was wonderful to have somewhere for all the ladies to gather and socialize during Spring Carnival – and there are a lot of us!
Usually we are allocated a few small tables in the fashions enclosure, which is trackside, but if you don’t have a table you stand around awkwardly wondering where to put yourself.
In the new park there are lots more tables, and activities to do together during the down time.
Activities like …
The Ferris Wheel (!)
They’ve really gone all out on the attractions… what carnival isn’t complete without a Ferris Wheel?
If I wasn’t so scared of heights, I would have gone for a spin- it looked so cute with its little red carriages.
But there is something for everyone at Flemington Racecourse, and I thought it only appropriate I ride a horse- on the Merry Go Round that is.
The Karaoke Stage
I’ve always wanted to be a Japanese Pop Star. The only problem is I can’t sing to save my life.
So when a group of us fashion ladies discovered the Karaoke enclosure, there were no problems getting me on stage! I enjoyed having a boogie, others played blow up balloon instruments and we all sang along to Aretha Franklin’s Respect.
I’m not sure if it was the inner Japanese-popstar-diva in me, or the champagne, but it was so fun! And even if you can’t sing, you still get a $30 TAB voucher for trying. Hooray!
The Food Stands
Although Flemington Racecourse does have some decent meals for hungry punters, Flemington Park only has, well, treats!! FREE pink fairy floss, donuts and (almost as if they knew I was coming) messina gelato!
Some finger food like hot chips and mini spring rolls were also available (yes, I indulged) and next door to me was a Greek tent, complete with dancing men in overalls- hubba hubba.
The Stunning Backdrops
There are so many great locations for photo’s inside The Park. My favourite being The Pink Room, which had this incredible grey horse statue with balloons for a head!!
If you get to the enclosure between 10 and 11am, there are a lot of photographers hanging around too, so it’s a great opportunity to get pap’d!!
What I Wore at Spring Carnival
Derby Day
Derby Day is always a lot of fun and, being on a Saturday, Flemington is packed with racegoers.
The sea of black and white is a beautiful sight and people-watching is at its peak. The fashions competition in Melbourne is always tough though, with over 300 women entering each day, so outfit choices get quite serious!
This year I decided to wear an outfit I wore earlier in the year, to Stradbroke Cup. I did change my millinery though, choosing a beautiful, black, wide-brim boater by @marilynvandenberg.
Melbourne Cup
Usually there’s at least one rainy, cold day during Spring Carnival and this year, it was Melbourne Cup Day. The morning started out a little chilly, but the sun was out and I thought things were looking good.
I wore a navy and gold lace dress with fabric I purchased earlier in the year whilst on my holiday in China. My friend Andrew and I collaborated on the design and ended up with a beautiful pencil dress with flared sleeves.
@peacockmillinery made me the most beautiful hat (ever) out of vintage Swiss braid, with coral and navy flowers and gold leafing.
The actual Fashions on the Field comp succeeded in beating the incoming rain, but it was definitely windy and cold!! Despite the blustery conditions, we all plastered on a smile and hit the catwalk.
There was no shortage of beautiful outfits on show and I made it to the top ten! Thrilled.
Oaks Day
Another beautiful day at The Park for Oaks Day. This time it was sunny and hot (typical Melbourne?) and I was glad to be wearing a sleeveless number and wide brimmed hat.
Image credit: @richshawphoto
I wore my night garden dress again (the fourth time wearing it!!), but added new embellishments.
I re-wore my Derby Day hat, but sewed on some flowers I pinched from another hat, to tie in the colours. Again I made it to top 10!
Back Stage – an Insider’s View
My favourite thing about being backstage is… the free alcohol! What? It’s been an expensive week!
If you make it past the first heat, you get to go backstage. There is a little waiting room there, which gets very squishy.
Imagine, oh, between 50 to 90 women all in big frocks made with layers and layers of fabric. On top of that is the headwear, some of which could poke an eye out if left unawares.
It should have an ENTER AT OWN RISK sign parked at the door.
This video shows just how crowded it can get back stage.
The little squishy room does provide a great opportunity to make new race friends, help someone re-align a skewwhiff skirt or tuck in a top, point out some lippy on teeth, discuss cat walk tips and, most importantly, compliment each other on their efforts.
This video was taken backstage on Oak’s Day and captures the excitement and anticipation of all the competition entrants.
Then there’s the free alcohol. Did I already mention that?
You get a free flute of champagne or beer and if you are nice to the young lads who run the bar, it’s possible to sweet talk your way into having, let’s say, 4 glasses.
If you’re thinking about entering Fashions on the Field, click here to learn more about the competition format and what to expect.
This Year’s Fashion Trends
As always, when it comes to Spring Carnival, ladies bring their A game to Flemington whether they’re competing or not.
My favourite thing to do is sit down with a beer (classy I know) and indulge in some serious people watching. And if I’m feeling a little more energetic, walking around and doing some outfit spotting like in this video…
In September, I released my Spring Trends Report, so it was fun to look around and observe how well I did with my predictions.
Full Skirts and Midi Length
Image credit: @ontrackontrend
Midi length full skirts dominated most heats, as well as midi length pencils. I think midi is the “it” length for racing fashion as it always looks elegant and ensures you are looking your lady-like best.
Image credit: @ontrackontrend
All the finalists who placed had midi length skirts, except for the Derby Day winner, who opted for a dress just below the knee.
Colour Pops!
Last year I thought the colours throughout Fashions felt a little dull. There were a lot of pastels mixed with monochrome and dove grey.
I was hoping this year would be the opposite and Flemington did not disappoint.
Everywhere I looked, women were in groups looking like brightly coloured skittles. Different hues of red, orange, yellow, teal and greens were popular, with pink being the colour of choice for many on Oaks Day.
Angela Menz in her own design for Oaks Day wearing the colour of the day- PINK <3
Image credit: @ontrackontrend
There was a lot of blue, with four state finalists wearing blue ensembles and, coincidentally, Chrissy, Dee and I all wore navy on Cup Day!
Photo credit: @flemingtonvrc
Printed Fabrics
There were a lot of printed fabrics and print clashing, which is always popular with race outfits.
Embellishments
Tassels, embellishments and textured fabrics were also popular choices.
Pant Suits
There were a couple of pant suits, most famously on Jennifer Hawkins, but not as many as I expected.
Image credit: @katieflett
Image credit: @myer
Millinery Trends
Millinery trends are always hard to pick, as the possibilities of what you can wear or do with a hat are endless. Hats can be made from just about anything and I mean anything…
I spoke to Ali Moor who makes her daughters outfits and millinery- Charlotte came third on Cup Day and second on Oaks Day, and Olivia placed first on Cup Day.
I assumed she was a milliner as her daughters always have amazing headwear, but found out she isn’t!
She said she taught herself and even blocked Charlotte’s hat off a pool noodle (genius!!) and Olivia’s off a small pan! What a creative woman, hats off to you!
Image credit: @ali_moor_millinery
As always there was a wide variety of millinery styles; some beautiful crowns, boaters, perchers and new intricate shapes and even some 3D printing.
This 3D printed horse was amazing!!
Homemade/Custom Made Outfits
It was great to see a lot of women making their own hats and there was no shortage of self-made outfits either. I don’t think I saw anyone in the same outfit!!
Kelli and Amanda always stand out in the crowd.
Image credit: @wendellt
Image credit: @wendellt
Stacie (@stacie_galeano) had two beautiful outfits I couldn’t help but swoon over.
Crystal’s (@crystalkimber) mum whipped this white and gold number up for her the night before Oaks Day!
Sarah (@fashionable_free_me) is always a breath of fresh air!! I LOVED these looks she created, she always looks so cute!
She even created her bestie’s (@thelittlegeorge) frock – also one of my favourite dresses!
All in all, a fabulous time in Melbourne was had by all and I’m already looking forward to next year!!
Did you attend Melbourne Cup? Share your outfit photos in the Field Fashion Community Facebook Group. We’d love to see what you wore! There’s a post for all 3 days :)
