5 key raceday fashion trends for summer 2020

Now that the sun is out and our summer racedays are here, it’s time to embrace all the fun involved with this opportunity to truly dress up from head to toe.

And, to give you some pointers on just how to nail that “head-to-toe” racewear look; we’ve outlined some of summer’s hottest trends below.

Bold brights

Not for the faint-hearted, this season’s outfits are a carnival of colour.

From bright red to canary yellow, green, shocking pink and purple – every colour of the rainbow is making an appearance trackside at the races.

If you’re not keen to go all out in a riot of technicolour, opt for pops of colour on an otherwise muted outfit.

Either way, this trend looks set to continue throughout the sunny season.

Feminine florals

Both feminine and modern, current raceday style is a veritable festival of florals.

Whether it’s a unique 1960s vintage fabric such as the one worn by our ambassador, Carena West, when she won Australia’s national racewear final, or a current season floral print as worn by our Hawaiian Airlines Fashions in the Field winner, Ciara Britton and our NEWMARKET. Style Stakes winner, Amber Sims.

This hard-to-beat trend is one that is certainly impressing the judges here at Ellerslie and across the ditch this season.

Statement sleeves

The 1980s have made a surprisingly stylish comeback in the form of puffed sleeves.

But if the thought of reliving that decade makes you shudder, rest assured, there’s nothing dated about this season’s voluminous sleeves. In fact, Amber Sims’ puffed sleeve (and floral print!) dress saw her win this season’s NEWMARKET. Style Spotter Award and, in doing saw, pre-qualify for The Ned Prix de Fashion.

Adding dramatic flair to dresses, shirts and even jumpsuits, puffed sleeves manage to look classic and contemporary and are the height of cool right now.

Millinery madness

Raceday offers the unique opportunity to explore a wide range of stunning headwear and there is something to suit everyone.

When it comes to headwear, rear facing hat styles and oversized bows at the back of the head are key trends, as are bonnets, berets and top hats.

But if hats aren’t to your taste, consider this season’s other hair trends: a chic luxe silk head scarf tied in an interesting way, or simply around a low ponytail, or opt for rows of pearl embellished hair clips and heavily decorated headbands.

Asymmetric hemlines

If you’re a little tired of last year’s straight hemlines and traditional A-line silhouettes, this is the season to go a little more edgy with asymmetry.

Whether it’s a one-shoulder style or an angled hemline on your dress, this key trackside trend adds a contemporary twist to traditional raceday fashion.

Our ambassador, Hannah Marinkovich, rocking a one-shoulder style on course

All roads in New Zealand’s racing fashion calendar lead to the national final, The Ned Prix de Fashion, which is going to be held here at Ellerslie on Vodafone Derby Day, Saturday 29 February 2020.