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For many women, the races are a chance to show off your best race wear fashion and fascinators. When choosing a fascinator it seems there are so many options in stores, but you could get stuck finding something that matches perfectly to your outfit. If you have ever been caught in this fashion dilemma, why not customize your own! It will not only be a cheaper option, but it means you will have a uniquely designed piece that goes perfectly with your dress.

It might seem like an effort to make your own fascinator for the races, but it’s as easy as following this fascinator how to guide.

Firstly you need to get all your supplies. All craft stores stock the basic supplies to make a fascinator (feathers, glue, rhinestones, fascinator base, crinoline, or veil fabric.). A good place to try is Spotlight or Lincraft. You can also try a fabulous online store www.feather.com.au, to buy all these essentials.

1. Begin with the fascinator base (the base should come with a slide comb attached underneath, if not, you can glue your own comb on). It’s important when making a fascinator to focus on strong composition. Even if you have an artistic eye, this process could be hard if you don’t research your desired look first. When looking at readymade fascinators, take note of the different textures in each. Some are spiky and strong, others are softer with more feathers. Choose your materials based on which style you prefer.

2. Using sheer ribbon, hand sew several pieces into small fans. To make them, carefully fold them like paper fans about 1cm wide, and stitch together (you can use a lighter to stop the edges from fraying too). The fans provide contrast and body for the base of the fascinator. Because the ribbon is sheer it will turn out softer then using harsh opaque material. Although hand sewing is fiddly, it works much better in the end than using a glue gun however, a glue gun is a simple quick option, so pick what’s best for you.

3. Once you have secured the ribbon fans to the base, work around them with your added embellishments. This can range from feathers to harder materials like crinoline. A fascinator usually features one statement piece, quite often this is a main feathery plume. There is a wide range of materials to choose and it’s up to personal preference for colours and contrasts. When attaching the feathery plume take note of how it sits after it is attached. A good way to avoid it sitting up right like a cockatoo is to use a mirror and check throughout the process. Ideally it should sit curved around the head slightly.

4. If you would like to add netting or pieces of veil to the fascinator, it’s a good idea to attach these where the feather ends touch the fascinator base. This will help to conceal the ends of the feathers. Another option is to add additional ribbon fans on the ends of the feathers.

5. Making your own fascinator is a relatively simple process, but you will need patience as you play around with composition and securely attach each piece. In the end, you will save yourself money, and most importantly your whole outfit will be perfectly matched!

The races are a popular event throughout the year, and for women it is usually because of the fashion stakes. Without doubt the most popular racing event in Australia is the Melbourne cup. The Melbourne cup is generally known as an urban fashion parade, but Melbourne cup fashion can also go disastrously wrong for many. With so many women dressing to be noticed and to be a contestant in the Fashion in the Field competitions, it’s easy to go overboard with your outfit. A few tips for dressing classy and modern at the same time, is to not reveal too much skin, keep the fake tan at a minimum, and wear colours that work well together, not against each other!

The same rules apply to all racing events, namely Derby Day, and the Spring Racing Carnival. Derby day fashions usually prove to be more modern than at other racing events. Many celebrities have been caught combining the latest trends into their classic race fashions. This is a clever option if you want to get the attention of the fashion judges, or simply don’t want to look outdated. But remember, not all trends can be incorporated into the feminine styles of races dresses, so choose wisely.

Have a look at a few celebrity do’s and don’ts as inspiration for your next racing carnival day!

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Style Profile: Emma Freedman

images courtesy of: news.com.au

words by Jenna Black.