Spring Racing is upon us! Who better to give us the best fashion advice and the dos and don’ts of the racing season than Kate Waterhouse? Kate has been immersed in the racing world her whole life. Her mother is a leading thoroughbred trainer, Gai Waterhouse and her father and brother are high profile bookmakers. She is also the granddaughter of racing legend Tommy “TJ” Smith. This makes Kate the ultimate expert on all things racing. Kate has become an Ambassador for Sydney Spring Carnival and The Star Epsom Day and tells us all about her love for fashion, the fashion rules for the races and some tips for getting race day ready in a hurry.
The Races is for Everyone
“Often there’s sporting events which are more male orientated or more female orientated but this is a sporting event that is for both men and women, it’s for families, it’s for all ages”.
Her Love For Fashion
Kate’s love for fashion is clear in her successful fashion blog which gives exceptional fashion and beauty advice. During her career as a journalist she was the Style Editor for the Sunday Telegraph, she then went on to become the Fashion Editor for The Sun-Herald where she reported on the latest fashion news and current trends.
“So as my career went on I always grabbed the fashion side of journalism and always put my hand up for those jobs…I always gravitated to the fashion side of things, but the racing is definitely in my blood and I’ve always followed the races”.
Fashion Inspiration
In most fashion arenas, whether it be red carpet or professional or even off duty dressing, most people have a style or a fashion muse. Kate believes in being inspired by trends, outfits and pieces but putting your own spin on it.
“I think for me, I’ve tried to steer away from that really traditional race wear look… you just look at the runways and still get inspired by the different trends that are out there but just sort of apply race wear rules to it.”
Fashion Rules for the Races
As explained by Kate, the races has it’s own set of fashion rules, including rules for certain days. Her tip: Be sure to follow the rules of the day, whether it’s Derby Day or Ladies Day keeping with the theme is an important part of Racing Carnival Fashion.
“Basically it’s just a little more conservative, so it’s longer hem lines, make sure they’re always at the knee or just above the knee, there’s no mid drifts, just nothing too revealing, it’s not a night club so steer away from sequins and over embellishment”.
“You do listen to the themes of the day, definitely down in Melbourne carnival, which everyone knows, black and white for Derby day, Cup Day is all about colour. Then you’ve got Ladies’ Day which is quite feminine. The Stakes day is a splash of red and Moet and Chandon Championships day is gold.”
The best pieces to invest in for the Racing Season
With the huge amount of racing events during the Spring Carnival Season you may end up attending multiple different events. Kate describes some of the best pieces to invest in, those pieces that you’ll be able to get plenty of wear from.
“I think dresses, often with the dresses you can wear to work, in monochrome, work well, just add a hat or a fascinator or a different heel or clutch to really make that outfit really stand out, but defiantly accessorise those mutual tones so you can use it over and over again.”
Tips for race day beauty on the go
As a working mother to her young toddler Sophia, Kate doesn’t always have time to spend hours getting ready for every racing event. Whilst she admits to having a team to get her race ready for the big media days, the other days she spends with friends trackside are a more DIY affair. These days, she’s super organised about applying quick short cuts to get glam quickly and effortlessly. Her golden tips?
“I put my foundation in with my moisturiser and I put it on super quick, often if there’s no time to blow dry my hair, it’s a slick back low bun and it works with headwear”.
Fashion Advice for Men
Men are now putting more effort into their race day outfits and getting into the fashion side of the events. Kate’s husband, former footballer and fellow Ambassador, Luke Ricketson, is now also paying more attention to his race wear. Kate is a fan of the three-piece suit, the double breasted suit, and suits that are one colour pants and one colour jacket, you can mix and match this now. There are now plenty of ways that men can make a statement with their outfit.
“I think for the boys its all about the slim lined look, tailoring is key for the boys everything’s very neat, you can have fun with suits this season…It’s all about the attention to detail, a great pair of socks or a great pocket chief and just having fun that way.”
Kate’s Fashion Blog- https://katewaterhouse.com
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– Saturday 19 September
– Colgate Optic White Stakes Day, Royal Randwick
– Saturday 3 October
– The Star Epsom Day, Royal Randwick
– Saturday 10 October–
Moët & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes Day, Royal Randwick
– Saturday 17 October
– City Tattersalls Cup Day, Royal Randwick
– Saturday 24 October
– Men of League Cox Plate Day, Royal Randwick
– Saturday 31 October–
Derby Day Race Day Meeting Supported by ADFA, Rosehill Gardens
– Tuesday 3 November
– McGrath Estate Agents Melbourne Cup Race Day Meeting, Royal Randwick
For more details on the upcoming Spring Racing Carnival Events check out theraces.com.au for all your ticketing and hospitality information.