FashioNZ's Craig Lawson tells us how to look glam this year at the races.

We’re off and racing!  The glamour of the racing season is here and New Zealand designers have picked their fashion winners.

As the sun is shining and bringing perfect race day conditions the only sure bet is the dress.  At the track, old-style glamour is slowly being overtaken by funky dresses with fresh silhouettes.

However, with so many dresses to choose from it can be hard to stand out from the crowd.   There is a stunning selection of dresses this season and the latest technology has stepped up the glam factor.  Volume is the key trend and designers have added draping, frills and shape to the dress in a bid to keep it modern.

The design of draping can add extra shape and comfort to a dress which can be a relief after a day of over-indulging.  Frills are a sure hit this season and can look girly, flirty with a sense of fun.

Colour is still the winner of race day fashion and you will hit the jackpot with the Ooby Ryn Paradise Dress (pictured).

From LH to RH: Ooby Ryn Skydancer dress, Tickled Pink dress, Paradise dress

At the Melbourne Cup, the short dress with bright tights added a fresh splash of colour. Brightly coloured belts were also spotted everywhere and certainly said - look at me, look at me.

The pocket dress is a popular silhouette and has a relaxed yet stylish look with Sable and Minx setting the standard (pictured).

From LH to RH: Sable & Minx Estella dress, Jazz dress, Grey Amarylis dress

Black is still a popular colour and can have a classic look, just pump up the funk factor by adding chunky metal accessories. To get this trend just add chunky necklaces as with the Mena Lisa Ruffle Dress (pictured).

At Australian Fashion Week, digital printing was a huge trend and New Zealand designer Michelle Yvette has included pieces using this technique in her summer collection (pictured).

From LH to RH: Michelle Yvette race day dress, digi print dress,  pocket dress

This season, the maxi dress has made its way from poolside to the racing track. The maxi dress can be a comfortable way to enjoy the day and great for when the weather is hot. It is important to buy a maxi dress made from a quality fabric as cheaper versions can look stretched and miss-shaped after a day of racing action.

And remember, the key is to have fun and look fabulous!

- Craig Lawson
www.craiglawson.net

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