You guys loved and are still loving my post from last year about plus size spring racing fashion so I thought what better time to give it an update than now. It was a perfect excuse to look through the spring/summer runways and pick and chose the looks I think will show up this racing season in Australia.
I don’t know about you but when I look online, there are plenty of options for spring racing but not a lot of them incorporate options for those seeking a plus size. It’s not that I think you should be wearing anything different to what a standard shopper will be wearing, but it’s all about where do you get them, right? I’ve got you covered, I’ve only incorporated it if there was a link to buy it. You’re welcome.
There were a few trends that I would have loved to include but was unable to locate enough items to fit the category. While we are covering monochrome, feminine, lace and prints, I would have loved to be covering crop tops which are HUGE this spring but not at all according to what is available in Australia. Crops and cut outs. Same deal. There are items that fit these categories overseas, so if you’re comfortable with buying online via post forwarding or similar, I encourage you to do that. Please. For my sake. Do that! It’s so darn on trend that it hurts not to be able to include them here.
Let’s get on with it, shall we?
{MONOCHROME}
I know, monochrome was here last year. But it’s probably been in every race day updated since the beginning of time. Hello, does My Fair Lady ring any bells? Haha. This year the update is, for me, about structure and design. Find a dress with an interesting element like the crop overlay on the dress to the left, or the frill on the sleeve on the right. Look for interesting details like these that add the wow factor then go all out with your headwear.
My all time, very best, most favourite races dress is a simple black dress plunging neckline covered with a lace panel and cut just above the knee. I’ve worn that dress to at least four race meets and it never has let me down in the style stakes. Classic is a classic for a reason. This year pair your monochrome dress with a bright lipstick and white accessories to stand out from the crowd.
Plus Size Spring Racing Fashion Update
Shop Left to Right > one, two, three, four, five
{FEMININE}
Feminine is a description that I find hard to swallow, feminine can mean different things to different women. But in terms of fashion and trends for the races it appears to mean soft, watercolour almost, prints and sweeping, soft materials. So let’s go with that for now, shall we?
For the same reason as I mentioned above, choosing for this board was difficult. I wanted to cater to what is feminine and beautiful in a range of women. The crisp hourglass shape of the dress on the left with its beautiful watercolour print to the off the shoulder loveliness of the more casual style second from the right. This look is about embracing your feminine side, whatever it might look like.
Mine is probably the one in the centre with the pattern and embroidery. Plus the maxi dress is a little unusual for the races, but I like it. Unusual is different and unique. Find your femme style. For this look compliment your dress in similar shades or with the ever classic nude. This is a new season floral, so consider flowers in your hair.
Plus Size Spring Racing Fashion Update
Shop Left to Right > one, two, three, four, five
{LACE}
Lace and cutouts baring some skin are probably my favourite things for this coming spring racing. I found it difficult in Australia to find options for crop tops, so few, in fact, I didn’t include them {booooo}, so this is your chance to show some skin. Subtly, of course, or not, lace gives a peek of skin that will ensure you’re still allowed in all the best marquees.
The lace dresses I found to cover the spectrum of girlish innocence to womanly va-voom. Choose your own adventure ladies, but my personal pick is the sexy black number left of centre followed closely by the simple white shift on the very left. Signs of a split personality perhaps.
When wearing your lace races dress I suggest pairing your dress with the opposing ‘level’ of accessories. White, simple dress? Add bright strappy heels and a wild crown of a hat. Sexy black lace? Pair with simple, classic accessories like a point toe heel in the same colour and a glom-esh bag. Be interesting. Don’t just reach for the first item you see. Get creative.
Plus Size Spring Racing Fashion Update
Shop Left to Right > one, two, three, four {also in black + pink}, five, six
{PATTERN + PRINT}
Most of the styles and trends are fairly sedate, monochrome, soft feminine, lace… Well, if those styles aren’t for you, if you’re a little more brazen and rambunctious, then this one is for you. Pattern and print; let’s get loud!
Prints for spring are as mixed as they are colourful. Bright and loud and just a wee bit over the top is the cry. So what better opportunity to go a little bit nuts than a race day (heck THE race day; Melbourne Cup) than with a printed number like those shown. For me, I can’t go past the simplicity of the dress second from the right. I love to find more casual dresses to style up for race meets and this fits my bill perfectly.
Feeling a little brave? Ok. A lot brave. Mix these printed dresses with a mismatched print clutch and shoes for a mad swirl of brightly coloured awesome. Feeling like the dress is already loud enough? Well, colour-match your accessories to the print or go with nude (yes again, I’m a fan, what can I say). Be a little brave though and consider those combinations you might throw out at first glance. Have some fun.
Plus Size Spring Racing Fashion Update
Shop Left to Right > one, two, three, four, five
Hi! I’m Melissa Walker Horn. Around here, they call me Suger. I’m the Chief Blogger and doer of all the things here at Suger Coat It. Blogging since 1901; I love a casual ootd, taking photos, and writing about things that irk or inspire me. I love wine and cheese, long days at the beach and spending time with my family. I make stuff for the internet over at Chalkboard Digital. You know, living the sweet life.
Thanks might have to look when I’m in Sydney on Wednesday!
Good luck! Let me know how you go. x
Just unblocked pop ups and that didn’t help either.
Grrr. Thanks. I’ll keep looking.
Using windows 8 and Firefox. Jsut takes me back to the same page with the first gallery. Pity. Where is the first dress on the third page from? I have a high tea to go to this weekend and it would be perfect. I already have a great pair of shoes that would go with it.
Sorry it’s being a jerk. I’ll see what I can do to sort it out. The dress is from City Chic and is available here.
http://www.citychic.com.au/BROCADE-BELLE-DRESS-.aspx?p6250141&cr=5tut__011133
The dresses are lovely, but to be fair not my idea of race wear
The derby day options are fabulous it’s black and white and it’s the only day you should be wearing black and white 🙁
I find oaks day to be the hardest to find something pretty for plus size.
Lovely dresses though. Great article
I wish you had included some new options for the fascinator/ hatinators
Yesterday the fashions were divine
The whole over 41 age fashions of the field were all plus size ladies and wow was the competition stiff!
No way, I’m planning a number of black and white outfits this year. Sure colour and print etc is way more mainstream, but both are classic and never go out of style. Same can be said for a lot of race wear just doesn’t translate to the plus market unless you’re really into florals and a fixed shape like an a-line dress or similar. And you know me, I don’t really do that style, I’m always looking for something a little left of centre. 😉
Thanks for sharing pics of the race ay you attended on the Facebook page! SO FUN to see what’s winning what in the fashions on the field.
Yeah its good to buck the system sometimes.
Ive got an idea in mind and so far cant find it.
Black and white is always so classy.
I love the fashions of the field its just so fun to see what others wear.
So much thought goes into the outfits.
I will keep looking.
Its fun but frustrating.
Cant wait to see what everyone else wears.
Gia x
There is nothing more frustrating that having a clear idea in mind and nothing is matching up to it. Gooooood luck! I hope it magically appears soon. Meanwhile I’m off to the races locally this weekend to brush up on my skills. 😉
Can you tell me where to buy the #4 in the monochrome line please, not loading for me either!
No problem. http://www.theiconic.com.au/Dot-Mesh-Dress-171485.html
Love the gallery but the links are just taking me back to this page. I’m using Chrome, if that helps.
Thanks Kathryn. Not sure what’s going on with them as I have no issues on any of my devices. Weird. I’m looking into it though with support stuff to see if there’s anything I can do.
It might be because I have pop ups blocked.
It could be too. It might be trying to open a new window but not being allowed to.
City Chic have some epic dresses at the moment. I generally always like their dresses, but right now the selection is spot on what I love. I have already bought three this season, and have a funny feeling more may be on its way into my already crammed wardrobe.
Oh and I love the gallery format. I found it easy to use and it loaded way easier than the old format used to (even on our dodgy net connection, it was fast and easy). The links all worked for me too. Opened in a new tab and everything. FYI I’m on a MacBook Air using Safari 🙂
That they do. I don’t wear a lot of City Chic normally but I’m loving my acid wash denim pencil skirt and a denim dress Mel picked up for me the other day. Their nod to sports luxe is right up my alley.
Glad to hear someone got through unscathed! I’m using my Mac, iPhone and iPad on Chrome and had no issues. Makes it hard to fix if I can’t get to the bottom of it.
I also used mac and ipad and samsung galaxy to access your post.
Thanks Gia, and no problems with links?
I press on the number and it goes to blank page ,thanks it’s prob me
It should be opening a different page. If you are on mobile, it might be opening them behind the main post page. Or sometimes in safari I have to hold down on the link until it gives the open to ‘open in a new window’. Hope that helps! x
The links arnt working for me ,I love the presentation and the clothes are beautiful
Thanks Noelene. The links seem to be ok this end. What was the problem? Not opening at all or were they going to the wrong places? Let me know and I’ll see if I can sort it.
some amazing dresses, thanks for combing the web and doing such a lovely presentation
Oh good! I’m so glad the gallery is being so well received. Eeeek! The pages used to take a million years to load when they were all in the one, I think this works better. Enjoy browsing. Or shopping. Whatever it is you’re doing. 😉