Friday no longer has the same “yay” feel as it did a few weeks ago before the coronavirus outbreak turned our world – and social lives – upside down.
But for those of us who are starting to pine for an excuse to put on something which doesn’t sport fleecy lining or an elasticated waistband, this Saturday’s The Star Championships Day 1 race day could be just what we need.
While racegoers can no longer cheer trackside at Royal Randwick in their fanciest finery, the Australian Turf Club has announced its popular racewear competition – The Fashion Chute – will still go ahead virtually.
It’s great news for the scores of fillies who usually spend weeks curating and, in some instances, making their own elaborate racewear looks but have now found themselves with nowhere to wear them.
It’s also opened the contest to every fashionably-minded Aussie around the country, many of whom would not have been able to attend the Sydney event and compete for a share of its $5000 prize pool which includes Spring Carnival hospitality packages, bubbly, cold hard cash and some very covetable Paula’s Choice Skincare and Charlotte Tilbury makeup, a Prada L’Homme Watersplash men’s fragrance and digital subscriptions to InStyle and Men’s Health magazine.
ATC official stylist Jess Pecoraro says confidence, artful styling and great lighting are essential for those planning to enter the Group One race day’s Fashion Chute.
“Natural light on your face and outfit is something to aim for, of course, while observing social distancing measures if you plan on taking a picture outside of your home,” she tells marie claire.
While traditionally a day for black and white dressing, organisers this year have relaxed the rules to allow entrants to incorporate colour.
“Pulling a winning look is all about how confident you feel in what you are wearing and having a bit of fun with it all,” the Sydney-based stylist adds. “Dressing to your personality also plays a bit part in that.’
For Pecoraro, whose client list includes Jesinta Campbell, Pia Miller and Georgia Fowler, texture, layering, strong shapes and moody hues are odds-on favourites for autumn racing.
“We are also seeing different textures being mixed within a look, for example, lace and silks as well as more masculine silhouettes in pantsuits,” she explains.
“When it comes to millinery anything goes; from traditional headpieces to more fashion-forward pieces and striking headbands along with accessories.”
Pecoraro will judge the competition alongside official ATC beauty expert Michael Brown and milliner Ann Shoebridge, with entrants required to post a photo of themselves in their autumn racewear ensembles on Instagram tagging @atc_races and @7racingstyle with the hashtags #FashionChute and #FunOffTrack.
For more information on how to enter visit here.
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