KEY POINTS:
Punters with an eye on the fashion stakes this Boxing Day should expect displays of sharp, tailored elegance at Ellerslie Racecourse.
The tailored look of the 1940s and 50s was back, say members of Auckland's fashion elite.
"Beautiful, tailored dresses in gorgeous colours, nothing big or boufy," said World founder Denise L'Estrange Corbet.
In the men's arena, L'Estrange Corbet said those confident enough to pull off tweed with English brogues; or bold-coloured, well-made shirts with clean, well-fitting suits, would do exceedingly better than those who let their dates down arriving in a tatty suit "a scratchy old shirt and a tie found in the back of their wardrobe."
Entry forms indicated many of those enrolled to compete in catwalk showdown Fashions in the Field, were inspired by the 1940s and 50s, said Auckland Racing Club's marketing director Rachel Holland.
She said while hat size was smaller, it didn't mean less work for designers, who were "putting a lot of effort in when it comes to colour and texture".
Auckland department store Smith and Caughey reported dainty gloves, and "turban-styled" fascinators were all the rage.
Many women were now ditching the fascinator for what has been dubbed the "hatinator" - a cross between a small hat and a fascinator.
While emeralds and purples, pinks and yellows were tipped as hot colours.
Florals and prints, hot on European catwalks are expected to be attempted by many.
Although Fashions in the Field head judge Bridgette O'Sullivan warned attendees of the danger of "having too much going on".
She said the trick was not to overdo it. Simple and stylish was generally most eyecatching.
O'Sullivan said she would wear a printed knee length, fitted dress in black, silver, white and grey, and silver heels, on Boxing Day.
A buyer for Smith and Caughey said hats - which had the obvious sun-protection advantage over fascinators - were "definitely coming back in in a big way".
The spokeswoman said fascinators "of all styles" were also selling well, and yellow and green were popular colours of the season.
Robert Niwa, of men's outfitters Crane Bros, said race-day fashion was striking a previously unheard chord among the nation's men.
"They are a lot more conscious of it, it's quite cool."
Trends were for lighter shades of grey and beige, with colourful, bold shirts perhaps topped off with a pork pie or trilby hat.
DRESS CODE
It may be the festive season, but that's no reason to emulate a flying saucer - you might distract the horses. World's Denise L'Estrange Corbet gives tips on how to look a winner.
* Wear the right shoes especially if your dress is patterned. "All these gorgeous colours and then they let themselves down by wearing black shoes."
* Let your personality shine, but pick garments that fit.
* That rule goes for men as well - too many blokes wear ill-fitting suits.
* Go easy on the bling - you don't want to look like a Christmas tree.
alice.hudson@heraldonsunday.co.nz
