Step up your race-day style with four chic fashion trends to nail this summer
If you thought the racing season finished with the Melbourne Cup, think again. In fact, it’s just getting started! This summer, the Aquis Park Gold Coast Turf Club is rolling out a series of high-fashion events at its ultra-exclusive pop-up The Beach Club by Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial. The theme for the luxe experience is French Riviera so whilst spring racing is all about pastels and florals, summer is all about chic Mediterranean vibes like you’ve just stepped off a plane from Côte d’Azur. Here are four trends to nail the summer racing theme, for guys and girls.
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Turn up the volume
While it’s hard to look past a classic silhouette on race day, make this your season to sail away from the safe harbour – it’s time to really turn up the volume and embrace floaty structures and bold lines for yourself. Puffed shoulders and fuller, more exaggerated balloon sleeves are a feminine and fun way to make a statement and flirt with the boundaries of shape. Create that voluminous look while adding an element of texture with Zimmerman’s embroidered silk-linen maxi skirt and cut-out blouse combination. This double-belted midi dress (pictured above) from Aje. combines statement puff sleeves with a more fitted bodice and touches of gold hardware, while the cropped cocoon blouse and matching linen skirt from Australian resortwear label Matteau imbues effortlessly elegance. If you don’t want to step away from form-fitting frocks entirely, this fun and bold cocktail-style dress from Sheike is a little more subtle with a billowing sleeve to create just a touch of flow.
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You com-pleat me
The French are known for many things – baked goods, cheese (did you know that 350 kinds of cheese are made in France?), wine, perfume and the Eiffel Tower, but for most, French fashion is the pinnacle of sophistication and style – and nothing embodies these characteristics quite like pleats. Sashay through the crowd in this striking ocean-coloured pleated maxi from Country Road or invoke Sunday picnic vibes in this perfectly pretty polka-dot creation from Zimmermann. Inject a feminine sensibility with this micro-pleat maxi from Seed or be bold and turn heads for all the right reasons in a black pleated jumpsuit from Dissh. Looking to up the race-day stakes even more? This red silk pleated dress from Leo & Lin (pictured above), complete with raglan sleeves, a captivating plunging neckline and pleated asymmetrical bottom is all kinds of stunning.
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Light and bright
Things are heating up, so it’s time for gents to tailor their racing wardrobe to incorporate lightweight materials and brighter hues – it is summer on the Gold Coast after all! This season comes with a welcome invitation for the lads to embrace pastels and creams, while the benefits of linen are sure to shine bright on those balmy summer days spent trackside. Keep it light and bright with a head-turning pink double-breasted linen jacket and pants from Sydney’s AERE or tone it down with a plain white linen shirt like this one from Bassike, paired with a timeless and breezy linen pant and jacket from SABA. Tim Robards (pictured above) creates the look with this summer-friendly suit – then add another layer and have some fun with accessories to add pops of colour with hued shirts, bold ties and a patterned pocket square.
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Throw some shade
Whilst it might be controversial among racing’s purists, we think a French Riviera theme is the perfect time to ditch the fascinator in favour of a seasonally appropriate straw hat like this one from Lack of Color or the pearl-draped boater from Heather McDowall (pictured above). The simple black bow of this Forever New boater oozes Saint-Tropez chic, while this vibrant red Morgan & Taylor piece will add a pop of colour to an elegant monochrome ensemble. Gents, you can get in on this one too with an eternally dapper panama hat from Samual Windsor. You’ll be there as cool as a cucumber beneath your personal shade source. Complete your summer look with some neutral coastal-inspired accessories such as this Feather Drum straw basket from Assembly Label or this eye-catching cane shoulder bag from Zimmermann.
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An affair to remember
Dressing to a theme is both a challenge and an opportunity but if you feel like you’ve just jetted in from a sojourn in the South of France, it’s safe to say you’ve nailed the brief and you are all set to sip champagne in the sunshine at the city’s most palatial pop-up party. The Beach Club by Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial on January 4 and Magic Millions at The Beach Club by Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial on January 11 offers distinguished guests an all-inclusive dining package complete with free-flowing Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial and a deluxe seafood buffet, racecourse entry, reserved seating and trackside views of the home straight. If you’re keen to head along, jump over to the Aquis Park Gold Coast Turf Club website.
This article was created with our friends at Aquis Park Gold Coast Turf Club.