Being invited to judge is always an honour. One of my favourite parts about judging is being able to experience a new race track and the atmosphere it encompasses.

The Weetwood Toowoomba Laser Clinics Australia FOTF invited me to judge its competition this year. I had never been to Toowoomba before and was excited to check it out! Toowoomba is a 2-and-a-half-hour drive from home.

Joining me on the judging panel was Amanda Thurbin; owner of Laser Clinics Toowoomba, Constance Bailey; face of Weetwood, Apollo Jackson from The Bachelorette (2017) and Abraham Lewis, The Suit Guy.

L-R: @amanda_t_lcatwba, @constancebaileyx, @apollojacksonofficial, @abraham_lewis

My Outfit

As a gal on a budget, it’s important to keep costs down when attending multiple race days a year. Judging brings a little relief in that you can wear something simple and elegant, so it’s not as stressful planning an outfit. Still, I managed to leave it till the week before to do.

I decided to hire a dress for the first time. I was very pleasantly surprised by how easy the whole process was to hire the dress! I really liked the look of this Thurley Bouquet dress as it was a great length and made from a pretty pink lace with a cold shoulder.

Regarding millinery, I wanted to wear something light weight. I had a big day ahead of me and the 3-hour drive required something that would fit easily in the car.

I made my own millinery out of cream felt- appropriate Autumn/Winter fabric

I managed to find well-suited accessories in my collection (over time, all on sale). My clutch was from Adorne $7, earrings Colette $3 and heels $10 from Big W and super comfortable.

All my accessories for $20! Bloody bargain!

I thought about wearing my hair out, but I find that having a lovely up-style really polishes off a look.

I had my go-to hair stylist on the Gold Coast, Kirsten, do me a feminine up-style. I love that I can go to Kirsten and she just knows what to do, meaning I can sit back and wait for the finished product.

On the Day

The drive took 3 hours due to some nasty road works. I arrived at the track and made my way to the Fashions. Clifford Park is lovely, very green. You can see the horses in the parading yard right next to the Fashions and it was bustling with locals all out to have a fun day!

I was invited to The Birdcage, which I managed to check out before the Fashions began and enjoyed a sneaky wine. It was lovely inside, hosted on a deck with a balcony over looking the track… and the most important part of my day… a snack table <3

I was very impressed with the standard of entrants in FOTF. Everyone looked beautiful in their Autumn racing attire.

There were 4 heats of around 10 ladies in each heat, and we selected 3 or 4 from each heat to go through to the finals.

The Winners

There was quite a bit of deliberation choosing the winners as everyone looked amazing!! All of the finalists deserved a sash! But of course, there can only be three.

Our winner was Emma Clarke in a beautiful Alex Perry dress which she styled with a fitted burgundy leather jacket and nude and burgundy leather boater by Allport Millinery. Emma wore this dress back in January to Magic Millions and I love how she restyled it to make it Autumn appropriate.

First runner up was Karen Wade in a striking orange and blue Veronika Maine dress paired with a gold turban also by Allport Millinery. Such a fun outfit, I love how she highlighted the blue in her shoes and neck ribbon.