Trend How-To: Nude Racewear and Accessories

You’ve spent hours researching the latest collections trying to draw inspiration from the best designers to find the most perfect dress for the Spring Racing Carnival. You’ve tried on and tried on and tried on until you can’t try on anymore and finally you have a dress!! It’s beautiful, it’s elegant, it’s the shade of the season….It’s nude?

While nude, soft pastels, dusty pinks, creams and beiges might be one of hottest trends for this Spring/Summer, they’re not the easiest shades to accessorise with and if done incorrectly might have you looking like a mismatched mess rather than a stylish fashionista.

Take the suggestions below to ensure sure you’re looking as classy as ever this carnival season!

Shoes

 
Often the wrong shoe choice can completely ruin an outfit. It doesn’t matter how fabulous your dress is to begin with, if it’s overpowered by your shoe choice, the outfit is ruined.
Suggestion: Avoid black unless you plan to accessorise with black throughout or there’s already some black on the dress. Choose a neutral colour that will complement your dress rather than take away from it.

The platform is this season’s must-have and won’t have your feet sinking in the grass. The very feminine wedge is also a great choice. Keep it simple or slightly embellished and you can’t go wrong. For a bolder look inject a bright colour to contrast; red, purple or pink, then choose your headwear to match!

1. Arrow Platforms AU$149.95 at sirenshoes.com.au 2. Heaven wedges AU$159 at sirenshoes.com.au 3. Caged Heel AU$139.95 at sportsgirl.com.au 4. Miss Alexa Pump AU$299 at peeptoe.com.au 5. Gucci Strappy Contrast Leather Sandals £513 at netaporter.com

Bag

Again, avoid black and keep it small. You don’t need a heavy strapped shoulder bag at the races. A little clutch or purse is perfect for holding the essentials.

1. Pleated Satin Clutch AU$129 at peeptoe.com.au 2. Chain Handle Small Clutch AU$79 at peeptoe.com.au 3. Judy Sling AU$39.95 at sportsgirl.com.au 4. Lanvin Pouchette Oulouette satin bag £592 at netaporter.com

Jewellery

If you plan to wear a necklace and earrings with your dress, first check to see if you really need both-  work out what your feature piece is going to be. If it’s going to be your headwear then maybe choose smaller earrings or just a necklace. If your dress already has lots of beading, or sparkly features, don’t over-do the bling on the rest of your body. Less is best.

1. By Malene Birger Wyomi Lattice Necklace £53 at netaporter.com 2. Pretty Petal Necklace AU$24.95 at  sportsgirl.com.au 3. Lee Angel Martine Gold tangled pearl necklace £260 netaporter.com 4. CC Skye Maze Bracelet AU$264 at designerbydesign.com.au   5. Chel Sea De Luca Amore Vintage Style Cuff AU$275 at frockshop.com.au 6. Mini Rose Earrings AU$7.95 at sportsgirl.com.au  7.  Art Deco Dangles AU$29.95 at sportsgirl.com.au

Headwear

If you’ve done the fascinator thing for a few years now, perhaps it’s time to upgrade to something different. Enter Pillbox style hats with netting that incorporate fabric flowers, and jewelled trimmings. Keep it tonal with only a few bursts of colour for a more stylised look or work in with those brighter coloured shoes for a high-fashion finish.

1. Agent 99 Race Bunny Headband AU$14.95 at generalpants.com.au 2. Coco Hair Clip $14.95 at sheike.com.au 3. Triple Flower Headband AU$14.95 at sportsgirl.com.au 4. Sequin Fabric Headband £8.50 at topshop.com

Do

• Experiment with embellishments
• Choose a fabulous, larger than life headpiece if you want to stand out
• Choose a wedge or platform shoe over a heel to avoid sinking into the grass all day

Don’t

• Mix multiple patterns or colour palettes with your dress, keep it simple
• Wear heavy jewellery if you have a soft feminine dress
• Overmatch: shoes, bag, headwear, lipstick all in the same colour might be a little over-stated

1. Look at me dress AU$47.95 at sportsgirl.com.au 2. Frill Peplum Dress by Topshop Rare £49 at topshop.com 3. Anna Frill Dress by Yuki £55 at topshop.com 4. Quba One Shoulder Ruffle Dress AU$199 at frockaholics.com.au 5. Natasha Drip Tye Dye Tee Dress AU$350 at frockaholics.com.au 6. Nicola Finetti V Neck Pleated Ruffle Dress AU$569 at frockaholics.com.au 7. Thurley Careless Love Tulle Dress AU$559 at frockaholics.com.au 8. Manning Cartell Crimplene Dress AU$599 at frockaholics.com.au