The Gentlemans’ Gentleman

Last week I had the pleasure of judging Fashions on the Field at the Geelong Cup alongside Dom Bagnato. Not only is he a dapper gent and lovely to boot, his range of suits has any girl swooning if her man wears one.rebeccashare

Judging alongside Dom, milliner Rebecca Share, GT Fashions Editor Renee Enright, Nina O’Brien from Track Mode and Joanne from Pret a Porter designer dress rental.

With the Spring Racing Carnival in full swing and the main days just a week away, it’s a timely reminder to the gents out there that ‘any old suit’ from the back of the wardrobe just won’t cut it at Fashions on the Field – or in the eyes of your lady friend.

Dom has some suggestions for any man purchasing a suit for the 2015 carnival, and you’d be hard pressed to get advice from anyone so well educated on the matter.

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“You do not want to see any lines, wrinkles, pulling or bunching on your jacket or trousers, anyone of these means the suit is too big or too small. Your movement should not be restricted at all. When you try on a suit, you’re looking for a good fit in what’s called your natural stance, where your stand up straight with your arms at your side, “ says Dom.

No one wants to see boring or unflattering suits at Flemington, so make sure you heed Dom’s advice and take note of the little things. Your shirt and tie – the finer details! – are just as important.

Dom suggests experimenting with colours and patterns, otherwise you’ll look as though you have dressed for the office and if you are opting for a printed shirt, ensure your tie is more plain and vice versa. Clashing is not always the best idea.

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Pocket Squares should feature elements of colour from your shirt or tie and tie pins highlight an attention to detail – it will be noticed if you are vying for a the title of best dressed at the track!

The season’s featured colours include a palette of beautiful blues – slate, royal, teal and navy with mint, rose and orange shirting and ties adding dynamic colour highlights.

“Above all be daring,” says Dom.

You heard him boys!

Stakes Day

Finally! The last day of the carnival. My knees hurt. My back hurts. I’m tired. But the show must go on and the last hurrah of the Spring Racing Carnival for 2013 would bring rain, wind and a whole lot of fun.

Sarah Kempson

The weather was proving difficult to dress for and so I committed the fashion crime of the century – I wore pants to Emirates Stakes Day. At seventeen degrees with predicted showers and with two rather bruised and battered knees from my fainting spell on Oaks Day, I felt there was no better time than now to break the fashion rules. Thursday afternoon saw me scouring the wardrobe for alternate options and after a quick trip to the tailors, my pants were ready to go.

Sarah Kempson, Emma Heaslip, Olivia Nunn

Keeping my colours light for Spring, the pink ASOS pants, white ZARA top and nude Sachi heels made for a fresh outfit on a blustery day. Amusingly, my oversized Morgan & Taylor summer hat went very well with my Wayne Cooper coatH&M gloves and Kmart clutch – all in black!! I love the contradiction of Melbourne weather. The poor kids entering Fashions on the Field stood in line with bare arms and legs shivering through the cold, with smiles on their faces the whole time.

Olivia Nunn and Sarah Kempson

After the merriment of the competition was completed, our team headed to the Birdcage for a well earned champers at Bar Schweppes by Broadsheet, downing bubbles and boutique cocktails like water and munching on the gourmet delights like we hadn’t eaten in a week. Much dancing was done, until the music stopped and the carnival was over.

Sarah Kempson Bar Schweppes

A final hurrah in the carpark rounded out another amazing week at Flemington and the Spring Racing Carnival for 2013. My many thanks to Emma and Olivia for being such great teammates, and MiNC Events for being such wonderful facilitators of the Fashions on the Field competition. To Sachi Shoes for my super comfy heels for the week, Morgan and Taylor for my headpieces and Sol Hermana for dresses – I am a very spoilt girl and it was my pleasure to wear your beautiful things!

Bar Schweppes by Broadsheet

And to all my concerned friends – I will go to the doctor this week!!!

xxx

Melbourne Cup Day

The first Tuesday in November dawned bright and beautiful, and I was looking forward to another fab day at the track with Myer Fashions on the Field. Heading in alone whilst Olivia had to dart back to Adelaide for important racing duties, it was easy to look around at the gorgeously frocked up punters and remember just how lucky we are to get a public holiday for a horse race, and that its so accessible to the masses – 100,000 people turned up to Flemington to celebrate the race that stops the nation.

Sarah Kempson and Emma Heaslip Cup Day

Emma and I were left to manage the VIPs on our own and on a day with Women’s Racewear, and the Designer Award, there were lots of people to sort out. A huge thanks to Sol Hermana, for my delightfully fun Sangria dress, and to Sachi Shoes and Morgan and Taylor for my accessories. My clutch is a Kmart purse! Emma also looks divine in Ginger and Smart.

Sarah Kempson Cup Day

After the official proceedings concluded, our team headed over to the Birdcage, where we sipped mojitos in the Herald Sun marquee. In residence was Wendy Tuohy, who I had the please of meeting at Melbourne Writer’s Club a few months back, and who I was thrilled to assist in organising headwear for her first Melbourne Cup Day Marquee. Wendy wears a Morgan and Taylor fascinator, and wrote about her Cup Day tips on her blog, The Perch.

Herald SunThe Herald Sun sign, adorned with newspaper flowers!

Wendy Tuohy and Sarah Kempson

A few cocktails later and we were really starting to have a good time, so it was back to the carpark for us, for macarons and champers; pringles and peppermint tea. We really know how to party!

Sarah Kempson and Emma Heaslip