Men’s guide to spring racing fashion

Spring Racing Carnival 2019 is just around the corner, bringing with it the thrill of the flutter and tense sporting action. Aside from the horse racing the iconic annual Spring Racing season is a fashion extravaganza, giving racegoers across Australia the perfect opportunity to dress to impress. Whether you’re headed to Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup or Oaks Day, read on to find out how to stand out from the crowd on the racecourse this year.

10 Tips For Planning The Perfect Mens Races Outfit

Spring Racing mens fashion is all about dressing boldly and taking risks with your style. Strict dress codes and traditional styling can make choosing suits for the races can be an arduous task – but it doesn’t have to be! Discover what to wear to the races for men below and start planning your race day outfit today.

  1. Choose the Perfect Suit At Spring Carnival, your only option is to suit up. Men should only wear suits at the races, so that means no chinos, no jeans and definitely, definitely no sports pants or tracksuits. Choose a classic black suit, or a reliable grey or navy two-piece suit.

  2. Get the Right Fit There’s nothing worse than wearing an ill-fitting suit. It won’t matter how much you spent on your race day suit, it won’t give you that extra edge if it is not fitted to your shape. Make sure you choose the right fit for you, and don’t be afraid to enlist the help of a tailor to make any necessary adjustments.

  3. Fresh and Clean Look fresh on the racecourse with well-groomed hair and facial hair. Whether you’re going for a clean-shaved look or have a longer beard, a bit of male grooming is a perfect way to match the occasion.

  4. Finding the Perfect Shirt From patterned designs like florals, geometrics and checks to a classic crisp, white shirt, choosing the right shirt can take your race day outfit to the next level. If you do choose patterns, be subtle with it for a stylish look, and think of the pattern as more of an addition to your race day outfit rather than the main event.

  5. Tie it All Together Coordinate your shirt with your tie to complete the look. Choose a quality knitted or grenadine material and keep the colour simple. Don’t overload your look with patterns, especially if you opt for a patterned shirt, and avoid any shiny or wide designs.

  6. Mix and Match with Separates Mens fashion at the races is very traditional, but there are still some modern ways you can make a statement with your outfit. Mix things up a little by choosing separates instead of going for one of the standard race day suits on offer. Choose complementing colours like blue and grey, or experiment with some brighter colours at more relaxed race days like Stakes Day.

  7. Say it With Your Shoes.. Find the perfect pair of Spring Racing shoes and make an entrance in style. It’s definitely the day for quality footwear like brogues, oxford shoes or even suede loafers. Make sure your shoes are polished if they are leather, and avoid any trainers or trainer-style shoes. Black is always a good choice, and brown shoes will complement blue or navy race day suits.

  8. … Or Your Socks Add a splash of colour to your race day outfit with your socks. However, BIG however here, do not wear any novelty or ‘funny’ socks, Spring Racing Carnival is not the place for that. Subtlety is key!

  9. Experiment with Colours and Textures Get creative with your Spring Carnival look. Spring racing suits come in a range of fabrics and designs including wool, linen, cotton and more. Opt for silk, but never satin, as this will give off a hotel pyjama vibe. Keep colours simple too, but don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone.

  10. Complete the Look Complete the look with colour-coordinated accessories. Jazz up your tie with a slim silver tie bar, or opt for a patterned pocket hankie. If you’re going for a lapel pin, try not to go too coordinated with it, but opt for a colour that complements your race day outfit’s primary colour.

Mens Races Fashion For Every Race Day Event

Find Spring Carnival mens fashion inspiration and discover what wear to the races this year. Each race day has a different dress code, from black and white themes to muted pastels. Discover how to dress for Derby Day, Melbourne Cup and more below.

Derby Day sponsored by AAMI

Official Flower: Cornflower One of the more formal events in the Spring Racing calendar, Derby Day is renowned for its strict black and white dress code, with guest dressing in monochromatic fashion on the day. Go for a classic look to rival James Bond in a sleek black suit paired with a crisp white shirt and black brogues. Add a little something extra to your race day look with greyscale patterns, or stand out in a grey suit with black and white accessories.

Sleek Black Suit

TM Lewin

Lancewood Black 2-Button Slim Dinner Suit – $419.00

3.5% Cashback = $14.67

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Melbourne Cup Day sponsored by Lexus

Official Flower: Yellow Rose Melbourne Cup, otherwise known as The Race That Stops The Nation is the biggest race in the Spring Racing Carnival. The dress code is conservative, and guests are expected to wear appropriate attire on the racecourse. If you like experimenting with bold colours, this is the race day event for you, as mens Melbourne Cup fashion is known for being more out-there than the other events. Choose a neutral or pastel suit to refresh your race day style, or opt for a light blue suit for a modern look.

Neutral Suit

MJ Bale

Robertson Sand Suit Slim Suit – $499.00

4.2% Cashback = $20.96

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Oaks Day sponsored by Kennedy

Official Flower: PInk Rose Known as Ladies Day, Oaks Day’s romantic dress code of whites, lights and pastels offers the perfect opportunity for men to throw aside traditional masculinity and give in to their softer side.

From playful floral prints to geometric checks, there’s lots of room to get creative with your style. Choose a light grey suit paired with a pastel pink shirt for a contemporary look.

Pastel Pink Shirt

Charles Tyrwhitt

Classic fit pink non-iron twill shirt – $79.00

5.6% Cashback = $4.43

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Caulfield Cup sponsored by Stella Artois

Official Flower: White Rose The first event of the Spring Racing Carnival, Caulfield Cup sets the tone for Spring Carnival fashion trends. Although the dress code is still traditional, bright colours are more than welcomed and checks and floral prints are popular on the day. Choose a solid coloured suit with a paisley shirt for a colourful look, or opt for more neutral sand or blush tones.

Floral Shirt

THE ICONIC

Pierre Cardin Floral Shirt – $59.95

3.5% Cashback = $2.10

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Stakes Day sponsored by Seppelt Wines

Official Flower: Red Rose Traditionally known as family day, Stakes Day is the last race day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, renowned for being the least formal day of the Spring Racing season. The dress code is more relaxed, with tailored separates proving to be popular mens suits for the races. Choose a grey tailored blazer to complement the Red Rose of the day, or opt for blue and beige separates.

Grey Tailored Blazer

THE ICONIC

Oxford Blake Linen Cotton Blazer- $349.00

3.5% Cashback = $12.22

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Disclaimer

Some items in this article may not be eligible for cashback. Deals, products, displayed prices, cashback rates and available retailers through Cashrewards mentioned above may change at any time without notice. This article has not been specifically sponsored in any way, by any retailer, although Cashrewards has ongoing partnerships with the stores mentioned above in order to provide you cashback at these stores.

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