Shoes For The Day
One of the things that makes racewear so special is the attention to detail in everyone's outfit. Every single detail is considered from head to toe. Earlier this year we couldn't help but notice in the SA state finals the 2nd Runner Up, Jen Marsh. What caught our eye was the fabulous print of her dress that had crept down to the toes of her shoes.
One of our readers Ruth Connor has let us know her secret as the woman behind the shoes. As well as selling her millinery, Ruth also offers a shoe covering service called Shoes For The Day under the banner of Just For You by Ruth Connor Millinery. Based in Silvan, Victoria- Ruth works from her home studio with clients around Australia. She tells us shoes can be covered in almost any fabric (apart from fine silk and chiffon) including fine leathers and gilt flakes. Customers post Ruth their shoes, then she works with either supplied materials, or for an extra cost can source materials for you. Prices range from $60-$100 (excluding postage) and all work is done by hand to ensure maximum comfort.The turn around is approximately 2 weeks, which takes into account the postage back and forth but in the lead up to spring carnival extra time should be allowed. Ruth also advised us that most shoes can be covered up to three timesRuth can be contacted at 03 9737 9939 or via her Facebook page HEREBy Angela MenzPlease note- I haven't used this service and posted because I thought it may be of interest to some of our readers.
One of our readers Ruth Connor has let us know her secret as the woman behind the shoes. As well as selling her millinery, Ruth also offers a shoe covering service called Shoes For The Day under the banner of Just For You by Ruth Connor Millinery. Based in Silvan, Victoria- Ruth works from her home studio with clients around Australia. She tells us shoes can be covered in almost any fabric (apart from fine silk and chiffon) including fine leathers and gilt flakes. Customers post Ruth their shoes, then she works with either supplied materials, or for an extra cost can source materials for you. Prices range from $60-$100 (excluding postage) and all work is done by hand to ensure maximum comfort.The turn around is approximately 2 weeks, which takes into account the postage back and forth but in the lead up to spring carnival extra time should be allowed. Ruth also advised us that most shoes can be covered up to three timesRuth can be contacted at 03 9737 9939 or via her Facebook page HEREBy Angela MenzPlease note- I haven't used this service and posted because I thought it may be of interest to some of our readers.
Once you've decided which day you'll be attending the races to enter Fashions on the Field, it's a good idea to see what categories will be open on the day. Check if there are any rules you must adhere to for entry. Millinery for ladies is always a requirement, and sometimes there might be more specific rules about hem lengths or colour themes for example. I'm all for breaking the the unwritten rules of Fashion on the Field but if there's specific rules of entry you must follow them, or you might find yourself turned away at the registration desk. Check any judging criteria listed, because that's what the judges will refer to when trying to decide on their winners. I also find it good to see if there's any extra details in the local newspapers about Fashions on the Field competitions.
If you can, prior to the event check out how the competition will run. Not all Fashions on the Field competitions involve lining up on stage in heats, although the majority do. Some competitions may require you to pose for a photograph, or be selected by spotters. For the bigger competitions you might be required to return for the finals at a later date. On the day details that might be handy to know include if you will need to line up for a long time to enter the heats? Or if you make the final will it be held much later in the day? Also will you need to collect votes if you make the final? This isn't about how to Win Fashions on the Field, but important if you want to place bets on the horses and try your luck punting. It also means you can plan out your day at the track. Knowing how the competition works might help you to relax if you're feeling nervous.
Check the registration times and give yourself plenty of time to arrive on course and make your way to the Fashions on the Field desk. If there is pre-registration, sign up prior to the event so you have one less thing to worry about on the day. I also plan out all my travel times to and from the track and allow a buffer just in case something goes wrong. This year I had a taxi not show up and another time there was rail works so my trip to the races took much longer than expected. Lisa and I both have examples of learning this the hard way. The first time I went to Mornington there was a delay with the trains and the trip from Melbourne ended up taking three hours with an extra half hour being stuck lining up at the gate. I just made the heat after phoning the club and telling them I was on the way, but now I'm always extra careful. For Lisa one Oaks day she was calling a friend and I from a taxi because there was a delay in traffic. Lucky she's a fast runner and she sprinted from the entrance at Flemington to Fashions on the Field and was the last contestant on stage for the competition. It was well worth it as she made the next round!Now for some of the nitty gritty details. I've had great discussion with many fellow contestants over the years about which heat to go in. Is it best to go in the first heat? Or is it best to go in the last heat? Should you stay away from certain contestants because you don't want to compete against them on stage. I've come to realise that it almost never matters. Certainly if someone was wearing a similar outfit you wouldn't want to stand right next to them but generally the winner is a stand out and the judges will spot the winner regardless of who or what is going on around them. Personally I try to separate in heats from good friends because then you have the chance to take nice photos and cheer for each other.
If there's two or more categories you can enter, should you save your outfit to wow the judges and only enter one category? I never know how someone else will see my outfit. So what I see as classic, might be contemporary for another. I enter what I can on the day because a judge might see your outfit differently to yourself.Familiarise yourself with the stage before your heat. Ensure you know where you have to walk to and where you have to stop and show off your outfit. You'll feel more confident if you know what you have to do onstage. If in doubt, follow the person before you and listen and look out for a friendly organiser to help you out with when to leave the stage.
Finally it's important to dress for the race day you're attending. Often I see stunning outfits but they have been worn on the wrong day. If you're a regular racegoer or observer of the races you'll know each race day has its own feel or theme to it. Back in 2003 Elizabeth Gaunt wore her outfit to Derby Day and didn't make it past the first round. She then (following the advice of a journalist) returned on Oaks Day in the same outfit and went home with the winners sash. Her feminine dusty pink and bronze silk outfit didn't look right for Derby Day, but was perfect for Oaks. If in doubt and don't know where to start have a look at photos from the previous years event. Many race clubs put photos up online and on their facebook pages.