While horse racing may be the biggest focus of the Wagga Gold Cup for some, for others it is the lure of Fashions on the Field that makes this annual event so exciting.
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This year will once again see fashion hopefuls from Wagga and further afield readying themselves for the acclaimed fashion competition.
The five categories, Lady of the Day, Stylish Couple, Man of the Day, Young Contemporary and the Millinery Award, will be judged by a range of industry professionals.
One such judge is head stylist from Sydney-based company The Style Doctor, Kash O’Hara, who said she will be looking for entrants who have upheld race wear traditions, while adding modern flourishes to their outfit.
“I want to see both men and women respect the race wear etiquette and remember that it’s an autumn carnival,” she said.
“Bear in mind the races are a time to dress up and have fun with fashion, so people should make sure their outfit incorporates trends, but also has touches of their own personality to help them stand out.”
For the women’s categories, Ms O’Hara highlights millinery trends, such as felt, leather and crowns, in tonal colours appropriate for the season, including forest green, burnt orange, navy and burgundy.
Ms O’Hara said men entering the competition could afford to be playful, encouraging the addition of “quirky” accessories to their outfit, and said a perfectly tailored suit was a must.
“It’s so important for the suit to fit well, because it makes such a difference,” she said. “And it’s always nice for gentlemen to add playful elements to their look, because it will give them personality.”
Last year’s Lady of the Day winner Nardia Cooper said she often styled an outfit based around one item she really loved.
“Last year I already had an amazing headpiece, so I built my look around that,” Ms Cooper said.
“I decided to keep my look elegant and classic, which is typical of the races, but the unique millinery really made it stand out.”
For those wanting to enter the competition who have left it until the last minute, Ms Cooper suggested sticking with a simple colour pallet.
“If you’re pulling something together last minute, you can never go wrong with a classic black and white look,” she said.