Spring Racing... What you should be wearing this spring racing carnival...

Melbourne Cup is only a couple months away and for milliners it is all steam ahead to plan and execute their creations. I have been busy putting together my outfit for the all important Spring Fashions on the Field. This year I have put all my design and sewing skills to the test to produce, what I hope will be an award wining outfit. There are no sneak peeks, I'm afraid you will have to wait until the day before I reveal the finished look. All I can say is I have taken a leaf out of Audrey's book and gone for structured elegance. Kept you guessing I hope!?!

What I can give you are my tips on how to dress in style this spring racing season...

Colour

Chloe Printed silk-twill dress

Available at net-a-porter

You can't go wrong with monochrome. Black and white is everywhere this Spring and is very suitable for race wear.

Antonio Berardi Woven-paneled crepe dress

 Available at net-a-porter

Floral prints are also an excellent choice for those that prefer a brighter look.

Erdem Ivy silk-blend jacquard dress

 Available at net-a-porter

Style

Race wear shouldn't be too reveiling. Skirts at knee length, no bustiers, strapless tops or plunging necklines. It isn't a night club, in fact Ascot in the UK has banded women from wearing strapless or spaghetti strap tops in the Royal Marquee.

RED Valentino Embroidered silk dress

 Available at net-a-porter

Something elegant and sophisticated is the order of the day. Why don't you try some of the new 60's inspired dresses, or a midi skirt with a chiffon blouse? Just make sure you have a cami on underneath.

Roksanda Ilincic Hunter silk-blend crepe top

 Available at net-a-porter

Accessories

If you go to the races you must wear a hat, a flower or headband won't pass muster. It doesn't need to provide shade, it just has to be a knock out!

I favour hats made of fabric (preferably in the same fabric as your outfit) or raffia this Spring, I tend to find that sinimay hats look quite cheap, especially if the hat is mass produced. If you do tend toward a sinimay hat, try and add a personal touch to customise your look.

Shoes and bag should match in either colour or texture, as long as it goes with the rest or the look. Jewellery is also a consideration, minimal is best for a fusy outfit and a statement piece for something plainer. Think gold this season as your metal of choice.

I hope you feel armed and ready to embrace spring racing fashion this season! Have a little flutter and maybe you could win $800 like I did last year on a $10 mystery bet!

Spring is on its way... Gorman style...

Gorman Double trouble anorak and Bindi dress

Gorman Third eye dress

I think we can all agree that Spring is the season for colour. We can pack away the black and the brown and put on something with a bit more livelyness. I breathe a sigh of relief after the abysmal fashion that we experienced over Winter, is it any wonder that most of it still sits on the store shelf. After long shopping trips (I actually don't like shopping that much. I like to get in and out.) coming home with nothing, I concluded that the designers (or buyers, you can choose which) had lost their way.

Gorman Born to run tank

Gorman Blind ambition skirt

So it is nice to see that at least for Spring they seem to have gotten back into the groove. But lets face it we live in Australia where sun shines for most of the year, so of course Spring is going to be above and beyond anything they produce for Winter.

My rant aside as you know I love Gorman and this Spring looks very promising, fingers crossed that they have some more artist collaborations, the prints last Spring/Summer were amazing.

From your,

Gorman Girl xxx

Winter is a time for... the trench coat

It has been a while between blogs, for which I have no excuse. Perhaps a lack of inspiration is the culprit. Summer fashion this year left me cold. However Winter has brought a fresh take on old favourites like the trench coat, with Burberry releasing a range of trenches using latext with great aplomb.

Burberry Gabardine Rubber Trench

At this years Red Cross Bindaring Sale (for those that haven't heard of it, the Bindaring Sale was started by a group of Red Cross volunteers in a garage on Bindaring road and has grown into a massive   annual warehouse fund raiser. Selling old, new and vintage clothing including boutique brands.) I was lucky enough to pick up a Burberry trench coat from the 1990's in almost perfect condition for $70. It has been my Winter staple ever since.

If you have been reading my blog for a while you are probably aware I am a milliner and a trained pattern maker with the sewing skills to match. These come in handy when you want create something different.

Latest on my sewing list is making pocket squares for my boyfriend. These small squares of fabric are so easy to make and dress up any suit. Stay tuned and I can show you how simple it is!

For now here are some more images from the Ricarda parade to wet the appetite...

Hat Affair Loves...Ricarda: the distinctive style powerhouse

On a cold Wednesday night Perth's stylish elite were out in force for an evening of fashion at Perth's ultimate style destination, Ricarda. In the surrounds of their Subiaco store, models walked amongst guests as they sipped on champagne and nibbled at bite sizes delicacies.

This winter's collections were all about celebrating colour and individual style. With an eye for detail Ricarda has pulled together a collection of looks further defining their distinctive style and high place in Perth's fashion scene. The parade featured designs from; Comme Des Garcons, Isabel Marant, Josh Goot, Proenza Schouler, Golden Goose, Zambesi and more.

It was hard to pick a favourite outfit on the night, they were all so different, oozing edge style. I also couldn't walk past their fabulous home-wares, there are definitely a few items that have caught my eye and I know just where they should go...

Ricarda

399 Hay St, Subiaco

Western Australia

Ph 9381 5446