It’s not spring racing carnival time here in sunny Australia…but it is in the US and England. Or at least it will be soon enough.
In the US you have the Kentucky Derby (pronounced der-bee). When I moved to Australia, I quickly found out that there is Derby Day (pronounced dar-bee). Even though the Kentucky Derby is part of the US’s Triple Crown of Racing and huge racing event for the country, I’m afraid it can not compare to the spectacle of the Spring Racing Carnival here in Victoria and one of the big racing days is the traditional Derby Day, where the focus is on Black and White.
And if you aren’t familiar with horse racing in Australia, can I tell you it is a big, BIG deal! I’m sure I’ll go in to it more at sometime as I love horse racing but part of what I love about it here in Oz is how they get the women involved by making fashion such a focus at the races. That was some smart marketing!
So Derby Day, it’s the first race day in the week-long carnival and as I said, it’s all about the black and white. Which means that I can’t help but think of the scene from “My Fair Lady” when Audrey Hepburn was heading off to the races in her black and white attire trying to impress everyone with her manners and style. Kind of the same thing happens here! Myer, one of the large retail stores here sponsors the Fashions on the Field competition at each race day and let me tell you it is taken seriously! Women spend big money on outfits hoping to win the car, the tens of thousands of dollars in prize money and all the other goodies and perks that come with.
Obviously some things have changed since Eliza Doolittle went to the races. As seen here hats are still a must have item for race day but size varies dramatically. Even though styles are of each contestant are different on Derby Day it is best to play off the classics. Each of these looks is lovely and ladylike. The big surprise was seeing the fabulous #197 do as well as she did in the comp wearing slacks! I thought that was fantastic! She looked great and would still be comfortable heading down to the stables to get a good look at her horse before the race! Keep in mind, these are the regular girls getting frocked up, not a bunch of celebrities.
On the right, we have some celebrity looks from Derby day. Over the past couple of years some of the ladies have been putting a bigger influence on white, but the LBD remains a race day staple. Although stilettos are beautiful and most of the ladies will wear them, because I do like to get closer to the racing and be down on the lawn for some of the races, I tend to work with either chunkier heels or wedges so I don’t sink into the grass! If you are a celebrity spending the day in the birdcage you don’t need to worry about being on the lawn so stilettos are fine.
Unfortunately, Derby Day is one of the race days I have not yet attended but hope to remedy soon. It won’t be this year because we will be in Spain but maybe next year. By then I should come up with something amazing to wear! Not that I would ever dream of going in the Fashions on the Field competition, I just want to fully embrace the spirit of being dressed in proper race day attire.
Have any of you attended Derby Day? What would you go with the LBD, LWD or some variation?
Related articles
- Kentucky Derby 2012: Horses That Can Win the Derby (bleacherreport.com)
- My Version of the “Derby Fascinator”! (babyjill7.wordpress.com)
- Kentucky Derby Turquoise Hat of the Day (blogher.com)
- Another Kentucky Derby Hat (whatagreathat.wordpress.com)
April 29th, 2012 at 02:07
C’mon Dover, move your bloomin’ arse!
I love the nags, me. The first ‘Ladies Day’ I went to was in Oz, and it was just amazing.
Bug @ Bugwear
April 29th, 2012 at 08:44
Yea, it’s pretty amazing to see everyone all frocked up and half the crowd is more into the fashion than the horses!
It’s like if they don’t get you one way, they’ll get you the other!
Something about the thrill of hearing the horses run past the winning post is just as good as finding that amazing piece of clothing you have been desperately wanting…on sale!
Go you good thing!!
Cheers,
Laura
July 25th, 2012 at 12:42
@Bug
Me too
Black and white is always the classic (esp. on Derby day) but I love last year’s colour block trend!
I reckon we’ll still see the colourblocking trend this year… have a look at Stefano Pilati for YSL LBD
i love them but expensive
July 25th, 2012 at 16:06
Design Ninja!
I agree! I do think at Spring Carnival this year colour blocking will be it and a bit!
There are so many fantastic options with colour blocking and it’s a great way to really get into the fun of the Carnival and get excited by Spring. I’m also thinking we’ll see a few more structured pieces with peplums. Spring Racing here in Victoria is absolutely one of my favourite times of the year. The only down side is wondering how “going-out” clothes became appropriate for race day and watching women wlking home in their bare feet…sad. However the thrill of the thundering hooves and all the amazing race day fashions make a perfect day out for any fashionista.
Cheers,
Laura
April 29th, 2012 at 17:25
mix thrill and color. love it my dear!
April 29th, 2012 at 18:30
Exactly!
Love the thrill and flash of it all.
Thanks for stopping by!
Cheers,
Laura
April 29th, 2012 at 23:32
Thanks for the like! Think what you’re doing is a great idea. Would love to mention you in a post if it’s ok with you? Alicea at http://www.girlvstheworld.com
April 29th, 2012 at 23:36
That would be great!
Please feel free…as long as you say nice things of course
I’m really loving your clothes swap invites – they are motivating me to organise an event!
I’ll have to let you know how it goes when I finally get around to it!
April 29th, 2012 at 23:45
Haha of course! Think a shopping-fast is a stroke of genius, although not sure I’d have the willpower to go through with it. Definitely keep me updated x
April 30th, 2012 at 00:39
About 10 days in, it didn’t seem so genius! But it’s much easier now. I’m already planning the next 90 days!
Cheers,
Laura
May 3rd, 2012 at 00:38
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