WINTER RACING CARNIVAL
Back a winner on and off the track
The Winter racing carnival is nearly upon us and sees it kick off late April in Brisbane.
It includes races such as the Doomben cup, Kingsford Smith Cup, Oaks day and the Stradbroke Handicap.
Melbourne also welcomes the Memsie stakes day whilst Sydney has the Winx stakes in August.
The horses don't have to be the only thing winning, we'll help you to be trackside ready in the perfect winter racing ensemble every time.
WINTER RACING GUIDELINES
When selecting the style of your outfit, check for an appropriate length, not more than a few inches above the knee. For winter it is also recommended to have covered shoulders.
Choose a colour theme that you want to wear which will help the outfit to come together. Match your hat, bag, and accessories to your colour scheme to co coordinate your look and make sure it complements each other.
This years racing colours are bronze, copper and rose golds which also match back beautifully with Burgundys and creams. All black is generally considered too somber for the race wear category and should be avoided.
A hat or headwear is a must and completes your racing look. Winter options include pillbox styles, fascinators made with felt and berets. It doesn’t need to be huge but should match in with the colour scheme that you have chosen for your outfit.
Closed shoes are great for winter racing as they can be worn with stockings to help keep you warm on colder days. Leather gloves
are also welcomed and add a finishing touch to your winter racing outfit.
DOOMBEN CUP
It’s all about the bold and the beautiful for this race day. We love this theme for the frivolity and fun we can incorporate into our winter styling. Although we
love deep and moody tones, shaking things up with bright colours will be a feast for the eyes at the racetrack.
Co-ordinating pant suit styles are great for this day with a fedora to add a pop of colour. We love the Sartorial Diplomacy Dress for its jewel tones with with a pop of colour.
OAKS DAY
Celebrate your girly side for this race day with florals, soft tones and elegant silhouettes. Embrace those traditional feminine styles and romantic more suble colours for this day.
We’re loving the subtle yet striking colours in the Grandiflora Wrap dress, adding a wintery edge to the theme.
Stradbroke and Stakes Day
STRADBROKE CUP
As the finale to the racing carnival, Stradbroke Day is your time to go out with a bang! Black and white is an inherently classic and glamourous theme, and the
pops of red add to that old Hollywood style.
STAKES DAY
Incorporating some glitz and glam is perfect for this embellishment themed day. Sequins, beading, lace or embossed fabrics are great options. It’s all about embracing the finer details for this day, so make sure you pay particular attention to your fabrics and embellishments whether it be in your garments or accessories. We love the Emporium Dress (emerald) as pictured for it's flexible fit and textured lurex fabric.
Shop Racewear ready styles
FAQ
Dress Styling and Fit
For work, minimal styling lets the print or cut do the talking. Block heels, a structured bag and simple jewellery are all you need. For events, add strappy heels, a statement earring and a clutch to shift the mood entirely. SACHA DRAKE's online stylists are available via chat for personalised recommendations if you want a second opinion.
The wrap silhouette works across most body shapes because the adjustable tie allows you to manipulate the dress to your body. It is particularly flattering on Hourglass and Pear shapes as it defines the waist and skims the hips.
For a formal event, keep accessories elevated with heeled sandals, a clutch and statement jewellery. For a weekend or travel setting, flat sandals and a sun hat bring the formality down without the dress losing its impact. The SACHA DRAKE maxi is designed to transition between settings, so the same dress works across multiple occasions with a simple accessory swap.
The midi sits roughly at mid-calf and works across a broader range of occasions including workwear, cocktail events and weddings. The maxi runs to the ankle or floor and leans more toward formal occasions and warm-weather events. Both silhouettes are available in wrap and structured styles across the SACHA DRAKE range, and both are categorised by body shape to help you find the most flattering option.
Every SACHA DRAKE garment is categorised by one of five body shapes: Hourglass, Column, Pear, Apple and Maternity. The brand designs specifically to flatter each shape rather than applying a single block pattern across all sizes. Wrap and reverse-wrap styles in particular are engineered to define the waist, balance proportions and move well on the body rather than just fitting around it.
Wrap and reverse-wrap midi styles are the strongest options for a pear shape. The wrap tie allows you to define the waist while the skirt skims over the hips rather than clinging. A-line midi silhouettes also work well for the same reason.
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