Choosing an outfit for the races can be tricky and will often depend on the season, the race day and the weather, however there are a few do’s and don’ts that apply whatever the situation.

Dressing for the races is unlike any other event and you can keep it simple or use it as an excuse to frock it up and dress in your finest. Ideally, you want to look as fabulous when leaving as when you arrived. One of the most hilarious things to watch is all the young women leaving the track, heels in hand, make up smeared, fascinator falling off or in hand with their heels, stumbling all over the place, yelling at people to stop laughing or my not-so personal favourite is throwing up all over themselves and others.

Remember it’s daytime, dress appropriately.  Check your ticket and follow the dress code for the section of the racecourse you will be in.

When choosing an outfit think sophistication, class, feminine styles.

General tips:

Outfit

• Well cut dresses, skirts and pants suited to daytime – this is not the nightclub.
• Leave the midriffs, sequins and shorts for evenings or lunch with friends.
• Do not show bra straps at any time. There are plenty of products out there on the market to keep the girls in place so there’s really no excuse. Showing bra straps looks tacky and cheap.
• Be careful not to show any VPL’s, particularly if you’re wearing a fitted outfit.
• Dress to your size, not the season. Just because it’s hot and you can squeeze into that little number, doesn’t mean you should.
• Remember to bring a jacket or wrap – if you are indoors the A/C may be quite cold or it may get cool when the sun sets.
• Short skirts might look great if you’re going out clubbing, but not the races. The old adage, less is more, is not relevant for the races, especially when we’re talking about skirt length. Just above the knees is about as short you want to have them.
• Don’t, under any circumstances, wear a skirt so short that you can’t even bend over. No one likes to see your girly bits, not other women and certainly not the guys and you don’t want it plastered all over the net.

Accessories

• Make sure your headpiece or fascinator can stand up to a long day. We’ve seen a number of young ladies in particular who look fabulous when they arrive but their head piece just doesn’t stand up to wearing it all day. Remember to visit the ladies regularly or word up your friends to tell you when your hairs starting to stick up or your piece is slipping.
• Natural makeup will enhance your best features, don’t be too heavy handed with the makeup, you don’t want it dripping down your face if it’s warm.

Shoes

• Always carry a pair of fold out ballet flats if you’re wearing heels and know you are going to have a big day, nothing is more hilarious than watching some poor young lady struggling to stay upright in a pair of shoes that are way too high or uncomfortable, especially at the end of the day. These are also great for those little shoe malfunctions which I’ve had happen to me before. I was wearing a pair of hot, purple strappy heels and half an hour after arriving the only strap that kept the shoe to my foot, broke. Thankfully I’d brought my fold outs otherwise I’d have been walking around the Director’s Lounge all day without any shoes. For me they are up there with making sure I’ve got my phone and purse.
• Always carry spares – if you are using tape, heel grips, Band-Aids, strap grips etc, always make sure you have some spares in your purse.
• We know this sounds silly but Crocs and socks and sandals  are not acceptable under any circumstances.
• Don’t wear boots when wearing summer frocks, winter fashion mixed with summer fashion just looks all kind of wrong.

And lastly and possibly most importantly

• Social media – like any event, consider what you post after a few drinks. You can save yourself some embarrassment the next day.  Whatever you do, don’t give people a reason to talk and laugh at you for the wrong reasons, if you do, then there’s a fair chance you’ll end up seeing yourself on social media and not for the right reasons. Make sure you and your friends stick together and look out for each other.