OAKS Day is all about the ladies, both on and off the track. The racing highlight is the Group One Crown Oaks – a classic for three-year-old fillies over 2500m with a $1 million purse. The competition is just as fierce in the style stakes with Melbourne’s best dressed eyeing a National Fashions on the Field title and more than $90,000 in prizes.
The Myer Fashions on the Field at Flemington is Australia’s largest and most prestigious outdoor fashion event.
The competition was first staged in 1962 in a bid to attract more women to the races, with the object of ‘finding the smartest dressed women at the Carnival within economic restraints’. There were initially three categories for ladies – for outfits that had cost £30 and under, £50 and over, and a category for Most Elegant Hat.
Today the competition includes race wear categories for women and men and an invitation only millinery section.
State finals are held across the country with the winner of each winning a trip to the Melbourne Cup Carnival, and the chance to take part in the national final at Flemington on Crown Oaks Day.
The Victorian State final is a showdown of the daily winners of the Women’s Race Wear competitions at Flemington on AAMI Victoria Derby Day, Emirates Melbourne Cup Day and Crown Oaks Day.
The winner goes onto compete against State finalists from SA, NSW, WA, Tasmania and Queensland, for the coveted national title and prizes including an $83,000 Lexus RC 200t F Sport and a $6000 Myer shopping spree.
Gunita Kenina, 28, will be there on Thursday in the hope of taking her Derby Day Fashions on the Field win to the next level.
The South Yarra resident is a newcomer to racing, having just arrived in Australia from Latvia in February.
She attended Derby Day in a lace dress by local label Vezzano Couture.
“This is the first time I’ve been able to afford a designer piece,” Kenina said.
“ I called my mum in Latvia earlier and she has never seen and experienced anything like this and she just said I would look good in a paper bag. I’m sure my mum would be so proud when she finds out I won,” she said.
You don’t have to don a label to impress the judges.
Emily Hunter took out the 2015 national final in a dress her mother made from Italian fabric, a $3 clutch and earrings she borrowed from her sister.
But dressing for the weather is important, and finding out who the judges are and researching their personal style can also help get you over the line.
Head wear that complements the outfit is also essential, so splurge on a visit to a good milliner.
Oaks Day style is all about elegant glamour, whether you’re a contestant or a spectator. Floral prints, soft pastels, lace detailing and even ruffles will be popular this year. The versatile boater is also a standout.
It’s not as expensive as highly structured millinery that has been all the rage for the past few years, and it lends itself to reinvention.
The ribbon that wraps around the hat can be colour coordinated with colourful heels or accessories, and a jaunty feather can be added for extra flair.
