Implicit dress code - ladies day at the races - WTW - YouLookFab Forum

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Implicit dress code - ladies day at the races - WTW

RoseandJoan

Veteran

In three weeks time a group of friends and I will descend upon the small town of Kelso for Ladies Day at the Races and I am currently pondering the inevitable question of what to wear..

So here is my dilemma, ladies day appears to have an implicit dress code which I desperately do not wish to follow, I would fidget atrociously in a formal hat or fascinator and I'm not really in the mood for a day dress, so with this in mind do you believe I could make the following outfit ladies day appropriate?

Matt sequined black trousers + simple white shirt + simple black suede courts with a 2.5" heel + a small box clutch + a simple updo.

My reasoning is that chic would be my ultimate outfit goal and if pulled off I believe elegance is appropriate for all occasions but my concern is the trousers (pictured) would be so outside of the environmental norm as to look attention seeking or disrespectful.

I would greatly appreciate your thoughts on this matter. Dare I flex the fashion muscle or should I conform to the norm?

Link 1 - Kelso Races website (no dress code mentioned) http://www.kelso-races.co.uk/g.....s-day.html

Link 2 - Photographs of last years event http://photos.andrewsgray.com/ladiesday2012

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Dressing

26 replies

Latest reply was from RoseandJoan

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

Ha - I would love for an opportunity to wear either a day dress OR a fascinator!

My concern for you is that you would feel out of place or apologetic for wearing the black trousers (which look divine, actually), and that would impact your enjoyment of the day. From the pix, it looks like you could easily skip a hat/fascinator.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Love your outfit idea! Sounds gorgeous, understated and chic. But I am casting my vote for the fascinator. Go on. Be a devil

unfrumped

Veteran

Love Angie's bedevilment.
Ah, the issues of whether to fit in or stand out, and how much.....
If for any reason you were to find a fascinator fun and the lesser of evils, it might fit the spirit of the day well, with your planned outfit.

What I noticed from the photos was that the ladies are not in very dressy dresses, but that color and prints abound. Black and white are very chic (so you don't have to wear PINK and such) but I'd take a look at how your outfit "reads" and see if the combo of pants--(not sure how the sequins read), "simple shirt", & black & white stand out more than you'd like. Also, it would be an opportunity to add a colorful clutch, if you have one.

Wow, the sun exposure! I might be in line for a parasol (think My Fair Lady) instead of a hat or fascinator.

Parsley

Veteran

I have to say that I think it would be great fun to go in a day dress and a big hat or a wild fascinator!

And in looking at the photos I didn't see ANYBODY wearing trousers. I think you're right about the implicit dress code of day dress and hat.

But if you're willing to stand out in the crowd as "not playing along", your proposed outfit sounds very pretty and chic.

I really think you'd do better wearing a dress- it wouldn't have to be flamboyant, but then you wouldn't come across as thumbing your nose at tradition. But I guess I'm a conformist at heart.
I think you could easily skip the hat.

Gaylene

Veteran

Unwritten dress codes are a real challenge, especially if you aren't particularly enthusiastic about the look in the first place.

After looking through the pics of the previous year, I wouldn't call the look particularly sophisticated, chic, or elegant--too many bum-hugging skirts, exposed flesh, and prom-gone-wild looks for those adjectives, I'd think. What I do see is a very playful, summery, let's-have-fun-getting-dressed-up look.

While it's hard to tell without seeing the actual outfit you've planned, I'm wondering if the outfit you've described would have that playful, summery vibe? Is chic and elegant really going to fit in to this scene, or do you need to incorporate something lighter and a bit more fun-loving for this event? In my opinion, it's not so much about changing one element (wearing pants) that might "violate" this dress code, as it is about wearing an outfit that may not reflect the spirit of this particular "let's-get-dressed-up" code.

Parsley

Veteran

From looking at the pictures, I agree with Gaylene: I think it's basically like a costume party, and people have fun in playfully following a theme. If you are too far outside the norm you risk seeming like a wet blanket, unwilling to join in the fun.

Why not just loosen up, join the group and have a good time?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I'm with Gaylene in terms of what others are wearing -- they don't look terribly chic (at least in those photos). There's very much a prom feel to the whole thing.

But that doesn't mean you can't wear your trousers and white shirt! You will look stunning and I think if you can wear it in a relaxed way and look happy in it, you will be fine. True, you won't look like everyone else. But assuming you're comfortable bucking the norm a little bit, then why not? As long as you don't look stuffy, I think.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Wow, frank and honest responses. I am going to mull them over some more before responding.

I just wanted to add that for the 2012 event we experienced a freakish heatwave, the weather is likely to be overcast and their is always a chance of rain.

The group of friends range from 30 to 60 year olds who are a complete riot, it is guaranteed I will always be laughing and smiling.

One member of the group does not own a dress or a skirt and another is considering wearing a black wide leg jumpsuit similar to this ASOS one http://www.asos.com/Diesel/Die.....h=0&p is it possible to fit in with my smaller group of friends and still be at odds with the unwritten code?

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Although I can see the points made about fitting the theme of the event, I also think you want to be comfortable at something like this and if you honestly will fidget and fuss in a dress, then don't wear one. You will look stunning and appropriate and if others in your group aren't wearing dresses, all the better.

I must admit though I do like the idea of a small and tasteful fascinator. With your stunning good looks Julie, it would just be the icing on the cake...just saying...

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think if you fit in with your group of friends -- and the weather -- then that is good enough. I was actually thinking that the weather would likely be different from last year and that trousers would be perfect for an overcast day.

What about two possible outfits. One for overcast/ cool and one for hot and sunny? I always have to plan this way, pretty much, for any outdoor event.

bj1111

Veteran

i think your proposed trouser outfit would really suit. consider wearing a really outre hat that nominally fits the dress code but wear it ironically. would this be too much *wink,wink, know what i mean*?

otherwise, fascinator as a nod to the occasion, trews as a V to it.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

If it wasn't insanely expensive to ship it I'd lend you my feathered mohawk headdress.

Inge

(website)

The trouser outfit you are describing sounds fantastic, Jules: chic and elegant. I like the idea of adding a fascinator into the mix as a small concession to the environmental norm (+ I bet it would look outrageously elegant and fun on you), and then wear your original outfit if you think you'll feel comfortable with getting a few looks (mind you, I'm 100% sure many of those looks would be of the admiring kind).

rachylou

Veteran

I vote for the fascinator as well. If you've got the hat, I think you can justify the trousers.

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

A spring-colored scarf would be classy and soften the look a bit. Or push the menswear direction and wear a fedora.

I want to see Anna's mohawk headress.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

okay, okay I will get a little hair furniture, is something like this a cop out
http://www.dorothyperkins.com/.....=&cat I am getting a go big or go home vibe from my dear fabbers.

unfrumped

Veteran

I was thinking more along the lines of looking summery and festive. Summery color seems to do that more for me, but I'm sure there are graphic B&W ways to get the same effect. My lack of B&W know-how and wardrobe is showing.

Sarah S

Just want/need to add my two cents worth.

There can be something really funky and fab about male-ish outfits with girlie touches in an environment that is foofie and feminine. I'm wondering if I was in your place whether I would actually prefer to stand out from the crowd and go slightly 'man' with my look then play with it by adding the head wear and heels or bag. I think I would.

My ambition is to wear a tuxedo to something formal so take my thoughts with a grain of salt! At the end of the day, I'm all about comfort, and by that I mean, I like to look like 'me' not like everyone else. Sometimes there is comfort in going against the flow. Take it as you will.

What a great dilemma! xx

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Not at all unfrumped, it is a valid point. Black and white is graphic and does not automatically read as spring/summer or country in feel. Perhaps if I changed the shirt for a gauzy whit blouse it would soften the effect more, I have this blouse from Next http://www.next.co.uk/g3898s6#762369g38

I do actually have a couple of dresses in my wardrobe which would be more conventional but they are old and have lost their some of their lustre. Although I would look the part I would not feel as though I had made an effort.

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Anonymous

I like the fascinator you linked to. How about some red lipstick too?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thumbs up on the fascinator you linked to. Go for the original trouser outfit, add a clutch and you are good to go.

rachylou

Veteran

What Angie says!

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

I love your chic black outfit you posted at the beginning. Topping that with the little black fascinator will set you apart and yet you're playing inside and outside the box. What fun I hope you have! You'll be so beautiful and do post a photo, please.

Lyrebirdgully

Hi Rose and Joan,

I think you will look really classy and interesting in pants. The outfit you posted will fit right in. Many racegoers don’t realise that racewear is supposed to look distinctly different from evening wear. Racewear stems from a different tradition, that of formal daywear, not formal evening wear. So for racewear, a little more skin coverage is expected than for a night-time event -- e.g. little or no cleavage, no strapless styles, skirt not ultra mini - in short, racewear should not look the same as a clubbing look. Pants will definitely fulfill these requirements.

In fact pants always seem to be part of the fashion offering by the big stores catering for racedays, at least in Australia, for any race where frocks are not explicitly requested. What would really “flout the environmental norm” would be not putting anything at all on your head! Here’s what the fashion pages in the newspapers have had to say about pants over the last few years.

http://www.theage.com.au/victo.....259zk.html

http://www.vogue.com.au/blogs/.....ants,20101

http://fashionsearchonline.com.....bournecup/

Model and David Jones’ department store “ambassador” Megan Gale

http://www.themarketlane.com/x.....entryid=17

2013’s offering – scroll down for pics of pants and tuxedos.

http://blog.davidjones.com.au/.....ear-Launch

The black and white photos below are from race days in the seventies and eighties in Melbourne.The black jumpsuit (last pic) worn by Samantha Harris is from 2012.

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Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Love the fascinator you linked to Julie - it is classy but fun and not over the top. Like Angie, I say wear your original outfit (which I love), pop on that fab head candy, add a fantastic clutch, a swipe of red lipstick and show them how it's done

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I had to pop back in today to thank you all for your thoughts and excellent suggestions. I really do appreciate it!

MPJ - I am quite thick skinned when it comes to my fashion choices so long as I am not being disrespectful I can ignore the odd glance. I do hate to fuss, if I am tugging and pulling I become a complete pain.

Unfrumped - I am also unsure how the look will read, I am hoping to look put together but approachable. Without the sequins I am sure the overall look wold be too dull for such a fun occasion.

Parsley - I don't mind thumbing my nose at some traditions, style and acceptable dress is always evolving. I actually started a petition at school for girls to be allowed to wear trousers, we collected over 700 signatures but at the time we failed!

Gaylene - your post as always is really insightful, I would really hate to look standoffish.

Parsley - that is a thought I would not wish to look uptight.

Suz - After mulling over the comments I think you have summed up my concluding thoughts perfectly.

Shannon - you are like a confidence shot, thank you.

Suz - planning for the weather is a must. In this instance it would probably only affect the choice of topper. It really would be fab to have sunshine.

BJ - I love your choice of words so direct and humorous. Flicking the V does appeal (preferably as I collect my winnings)

Anna - the feathered mohawk is a piece of art!

Inge - thank you for your fashion faith.

Rachy - I love the idea that by wearing a hat I will be forgiven any misdemeanors.

Ann - DH does have a great selection of hats but they are all too big

Sarah - I like your thinking, if I had them to hand I would wear flat black and white oxfords and feel great striding around the venue.

Alicat - red lipstick is a distinct possibility.

Angie - I will not argue and will head to Dotty P's tomorrow for a look.

Vicki - playing inside and outside of the box sounds like a plan of action.

Lyre - you fascinate me, you don't post often but when you do that are the most amazingly informative posts which are perfectly illustrated. you have given me the boost to wear the trousers and to find a suitable head piece. Thank you.