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SUMMER RACING STYLE GUIDE: KEEP IT COOL WITH BNKR AND LAUREN DILENA

When the mercury rises, so do the style stakes. Summer presents endless opportunities to be bright, bold and fearless in racing fashion - with a little extra fun in the air. The season ahead will see six events across February and March, so FATR approached the experts to ensure your wardrobe is in winning condition. FATR Ambassador Lauren Dilena joins Australian Fashion Labels Head Stylist Jazz Mignone to unlock the secrets of summer track style.

Australian Fashion Labels Head Stylist Jazz Mignone loves the warmer months for jacket-free looks and an excuse to rock more colour, and this summer is all about the psychedelic trend. “We suggest you get into hyper bright colours and clashing colour combinations,” Jazz said. “There is a strong correlation with BNKR and colour,” she said. “However, adapted to suit this seasons trends.”

“You’ll see psychedelic prints, tie-dye, tropical/destination dressing and prairie/countryside dressing to name a few,” Jazz said. “All fun and adaptable in your own way.”

BNKR’s summer collections are inspired by everything from runway and vintage, to art and everyday life. “The summer collections at BNKR are adaptable to your style and occasion,” Jazz said. “Hyper bright colours as well as your toned-down basics will feature on BNKR this summer,” she said. “Citron green and bright blue are super popular in the office!”

For your silhouette, Jazz suggests colour pop suiting, babydoll styles and, of course a perfect summer maxi-dress. “The ‘Thoughtful Dress’ in Vermillion with Tan by C/MEO is a personal favourite,” Jazz said. “A tiered maxi-dress is also great for when the temperature rises.”

And if dresses aren’t your thing, Jazz is all for an oversized blazer look. “Maybe go a size up in your usual The Fifth or C/MEO suiting,” she said. “You also cannot go past your elevated slip styles, we’ve got them in fun prints for summer!”

FATR Ambassador Lauren Dilena is loving overstated flair for 2020. Summer is her favourite season to collate daring ensembles and Lauren is looking forward to relaxed vibes at the track. “If you’ve never been to the races before, it’s always so much fun to go in summer,” Lauren said. “The weather, the people and the ambiance are incredible,” she said.

Lauren’s leading looks of the season are super-structured suit jackets plus snake, leopard and zebra prints. Retro wallpaper patterns from runway looks will lend themselves to racewear, while twin sets, metallic dresses, statement squared heels and sensational sleeves will create wow factor.

“The trends that are most adaptable to racewear would definitely be the metallic eighties look,” Lauren said. “We noticed this trend at this year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival on the likes of celebrity stylist Lana Wilkinson,” she said. “This was a fun and refreshing statement trend.”

“Another strong contender for 2020 would be the sixties wallpaper patterns in matching sets, suits and unique fabrications like metallics or silks,” she said. “I predict this might make a major trend on track next Spring Carnival.”

In womenswear, the colours of the moment are clashing nude with soft sorbet colours. “It’s super fresh for summer and will look absolutely on trend for next Spring Carnival season,” Lauren said.

“Silhouettes will be bold and powerful with overstated puffed and ruffled sleeves, but also we will be seeing the return of the corset with sheer paneling as featured in the Dion Lee summer collection,” she said. “Another silhouette that I’m absolutely loving is the maxi dress, however in a dressed-up version seen on Jodi Gordon for spring races.”

Lauren’s favourite fashion moments from Spring Carnival include racing royalty Kate Waterhouse. “Always my forever inspiration – her Stakes Day outfit was my absolute favourite of the carnival,” Lauren said. “She wore local milliner Sylvy Earl and a Dior ensemble with a statement belt (which was major) styled by Jess Pecoraro,” she said. “Her daughters also looked super cute and chic in matching Burberry dresses.”

To complete your look, Lauren wants your accessories to speak up. “Tiny mini totes and soft leather clutches - think Bottega Veneta and Jacquemus for your inspiration,” Lauren said. “Statement gold or silver necklaces are making a comeback,” she said. “I do adore when a racegoer can pull off a choker and stacked necklaces look; it can be extremely difficult to keep it race-appropriate and classy.”

And for your crown, Lauren’s seasonal picks are wide brim woven hats in different colourways and felt hats in lighter tones like cream, baby blues and pinks. Textured features will take on straw hats in scalloping, braids and gold embellishments, while boaters bloom.

Although Lauren is renowned for her style, her impeccable grooming is worth noting. “Knowing how your skin and hair wears in summer is a must,” Lauren said. “I know my hair goes a little dull/flat in summer, so one of my favourite styling tools is any of the volume magic powders from evo hair or Kevin Murphy,” she said. “Also, I can’t live without Fix+ spray from MAC, this literally saves my makeup every time.”

For feminine footwear, Lauren feels squared toed boots, block heels and sky-high stilettos are going to be fan favourites. “However, for that elegant and sophisticated racegoer, you really can’t go past the pointed-toed heels,” she said.

At BNKR, it’s all about the straps this season. “The Jaggar collection which is out now features strappy (barely there) sandal options and bright colours for your racewear attire,” Jazz said. “We even have matching bag ops.”

Sport your summer looks at the Naracoorte Cup on February 9, the Lock Cup on February 16 and the Kangaroo Island Cup on February 22. Autumn’s racing calendar kicks off with the Port Lincoln Cup on March 6. Giddy up!

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