Spring racing season is almost here and with it comes plenty of stylish days on the calendar. Rest assured, our in-store team know what to wear to the races and can suit you up in style.
Whether you’re trackside to enjoy the racing, celebrating a day out with friends, or aiming to take out Fashions on the Field, now is the perfect time to get your race day wardrobe ready.
At Rundle Tailoring, we’ve been dressing Newcastle and the Hunter for over 110 years. With generations of expertise behind us, we know that the key to great race day style is equal parts tradition, tailoring and personality. Make an appointment to come and see us in store, and we’ll suit you up appropriately for whichever race days you’re attending.
Book a spring racing consultation with our team.
To get you started, we’ve rounded up six simple styling tips that will elevate your look instantly and ensure you’re looking on point this spring racing season. Read on for what to wear to the races this season.
Invest in a tailored fit
Every day calls for a suit that fits properly, but especially race day when cameras are snapping. That means a clean silhouette, sharp shoulders and trousers hemmed to the right length. Whether you prefer a two-piece or three-piece suit, the polish is in the fit. Made-to-Measure is the gold standard and promises to make a big impact trackside, but even an off-the-rack suit can look exceptional when altered by an expert tailor. Andrew’s skill at getting the fit just right will elevate your suit to new levels.
Elevate with a vest
Adding a vest is becoming more popular with both our male and female customers, and if you tend to remove your jacket later in the day but want to keep your look sharp, a vest is the way to go. Vests are particularly great at slimming and streamlining your chest and waist, so your well-tailored look doesn’t disappear the moment you remove your jacket. Investing in a three-piece suit also means that, if you’re planning to attend multiple race days this season, you can achieve greater versatility in your spring racing wardrobe with less.
Play with colour combinations
Spring racing is all about embracing the season. Rich navies, fresh greys and light beige are timeless, but adding colour through your shirt, tie or pocket square will bring personality. If you’re worried about nailing the colour combinations, opt for tried-and-true formulas. A grey suit pairs well with most pastel shades, such as baby blue, soft pink and lilac, which makes it a great choice for Oaks Day (which calls for softer colours and spring patterns). Pinstripes are another popular look right now, and we have plenty of pinstripe suits in store. For effortless polish, keep your shirt in the same colour family as your suit. For example, a navy pinstripe suit will look sharp paired with a light blue shirt, while a brown pinstripe suit is complemented by a warm neutral shirt in soft brown.
Keen to go bold for racing season? Apart from Derby Day, which has a strict black and white dress code, the spring race days welcome colour and there are plenty of strong colour combinations to try out. Olive green looks great with pink, likewise brown and purple. If you love bright colours like orange or pink, you could also keep the whole look monochromatic for a stylish finish.
Coordinating with your partner is always a sleek look too. Simply bring a shot of their outfit into us and we’ll help coordinate a perfect ensemble, or select the right accessories, to match.
Accessories make the difference
The smallest details often make the biggest impact. They’re also a shortcut to making one suit last all spring racing season. Investing in a tight selection of neck ties, pocket squares, lapel pins, cufflinks, tie bars and a great hat will give you incredible versatility over multiple race days if you’re not looking to buy a whole new suit. Not only will accessories set you apart, they’ll take your look from “corporate” to “carnival” (an especially useful styling trick if you’re heading from the office to a Melbourne Cup lunch).
In store, we’ve got the latest styles from brands like Otaa, Hardy Amies, and James Harper to add an element of fun and style to any ensemble.
Consider separates for versatility
While a great suit will always look the part at the races, you can also style separates for a relaxed but polished finish. A blazer with chinos or a patterned sports coat with tailored trousers offers a contemporary take on race day dressing. It’s a look that’s especially strong in lighter tones, like a navy check sports coat with beige chinos, and is perfect for the more relaxed race days. So if you’re only after a new blazer or pair of pants to add to your wardrobe rotation, come in and browse all the latest styles from the top fashion brands, like Cambridge, R.M. Williams and Uberstone.
Dress for confidence
Above all, the right race day outfit should make you feel confident. Whether you’re sipping champagne in the members stand or competing in Fashions on the Field, the right outfit allows your personality to shine. We’re in the business of suiting men and women up to look and feel their very best, so when it comes to what to wear to the races, make Rundle Tailoring your first stop.
Book an appointment with our team for your spring racing consultation today.
What to wear to the races this season? Visit us in store at 767 Hunter Street, Newcastle West, to explore our latest arrivals in suits, blazers, shirts and accessories and get race day ready. Book an appointment to secure your fitting — especially on weekends, our busiest times.