THE 2015 Murray Downs Gold and Country Club Swan Hill June Racing Carnival Fashions on the Field event of was a riot of colour and textures as contestants strutted their stuff in front of the racetrack.
Red and black were in vogue for the ladies, as were fur and leather accessories, and for the gents navy and tan were the order of the day.
Competitors from Brisbane, Canberra and Tasmania, plus a couple of locals, contested the Ladz Menswear Gent of the Day, with the top gong going to Linden Hicks from Manangatang.
Judges Bree Laughlin from Country Racing Victoria, 2014 Racing Ambassador Courtney McClelland and 2013 Ambassador Larni Salathiel noted that Chris Judd lookalike worked his outfit from head to toe.
“It’s extremely funky, and we liked the pocket square,” said Ms Salathiel.
The La Beaute Beauty Salon Millinery Award was bestowed upon Adelaide’s Julie Darling, who then proceeded to take out the much anticipated Oaks Hotels and Resorts Lady of the Day prize.
The judges conferred for over five minutes before Ms Darling’s elegant spotty ensemble shone through to be declared the winner.
Her headpiece was discovered on an online boutique, then Ms Darling complemented it with a combination of new items and existing pieces from her wardrobe.
“This coat is six years old — I find fashion just keeps on turning over,’ said Ms Darling.
“I just put it out on the bed and keep adding pieces.”
Lady of the Day runner up Ainslee Nield told The Guardian that while she had won Fashion on the Fields at various country summer racing events, she had never had the courage to try out a winter ensemble.
“Winter’s different, it’s harder,” the Swan Hill local said,
“My goal was to go into winter and get a prize because it’s more challenging.”
“I’d started with my millinery which I found online and fell in love with.”
“I worked it all around that.”
“I didn’t think I’d even get a prize.”
While Melbourne’s Mikayla Trotter didn’t get a place she said the Fashions on the Field event was always a lot of fun, no matter the outcome.
“All you’ve got to do is try your best and be confident,” she said.
For her raceday outfit, Ms Trotter tied in sentimental value by sporting her late grandmother’s gloves and bag.
“She was a fashionable lady and she was very involved in the community,” Ms Trotter said.
For more on this story pick up a copy of Monday’s Guardian (June 8).
