How to dress for inclement weather

Flash flooding and hailstones at Flemington. The threat of a tornado at Galway Ladies' Day. Dark grey skies looming over Royal Ascot. It's hard enough to work out what to wear to the races without having to contend with these atmospheric dilemmas.But if there's anything we've learned over the years, it's how to dress for all kinds of weather forecasts and still look great at the racecourse. Melbourne's Spring Carnival has been a fantastic learning ground, given the city is famous for having four seasons in one day. Add in the essential Fashions on the Field criterion of "appropriateness of the outfit for the event" (ie. weather on the day), and there are many tips we've added to our raceday bag of tricks in order to stay classy in the event of rain/hail/blustery winds.1. Incorporate a jacket into your outfitI've learnt this one the hard way. One particular Spring Carnival gave us temperatures of below 16°C and while we waited to see who made the cut at FOTF we spent a good half-hour shivering like leaves in a storm, huddled together under umbrellas for body warmth. That day I made some good friends, and also vowed never again to plan an outfit without a jacket as an option.There's a particular type of jacket that looks good on most figures, and works with almost any dress: the cropped, open-front jacket with three-quarter sleeves. Invest in a black one and an off-white one, and you're pretty much set. My favourites are by Jaeger and Paule Ka. The latter is a little more exxy, but the quality of the fabric and tailored fit is second-to-none and you won't regret purchasing it. Ever.2. Take an umbrella with youIf the weather man says "rain" but it looks sunny, don't risk it - take an umbrella with you! Hats do not like moisture and will lose their shape if they get too wet. Likewise, milliners do not like having to reblock hats after they've been rained on (it can be really tricky to do).Treat your umbrella as a fashion accessory and get one to match your outfit. There are some gorgeous frilly designs and bold printed styles out there, but if you don't want to spend a lot of money on a brolly, buy a classic clear plastic dome-shaped one instead - this way, you can still see your entire outfit and stay dry at the same time.

Umbrella, £12.50, by umbrellaheaven.com

3. Take a pair of flat shoes with youNot only do high heels become painful after a few hours, but they also get stuck in mud pretty easily. And then there is that exquisite pair of expensive suede shoes you have, which almost shrink at the sight of a few drops of moisture. I may sound like an old granny but I always take a pair of flat pumps with me - usually to wear to and from the racecourse - but in the event of torrential rain they come in pretty handy to save your heels, and yourself, from the elements.4. Use the cloak roomI know this will sound lame, but the first place I visit when I go to a racecourse is the cloak room. There, at this hidden cave usually staffed by the kindest ladies at the course, I leave everything I don't currently need but will want at some point during the day: my flat shoes, an umbrella, a jacket. It's almost like having an on-course wardrobe. Just remember to pick up your items before they close, and tip the ladies generously if you've had a win.5. Make sure your hat is on good and wellMost milliners will test their hats for staying power before selling them to clients, but sometimes there are certain styles (usually the crazy, gravity-defying ones) that run the risk of fluttering in the breeze. Then there are also the mass-produced styles you can find at department stores which skimp on fastenings in order to lower their retail prices. I'm not saying "don't wear them" but rather, "know how to wear them".Tall styles, wide styles and hats with long embellishments are the most likely to catch the wind. For best results, they should have a comb on the base and an elastic band which sits around the back of your head. If your hat doesn't have a comb, either sew one in yourself or, if you're not confident in your sewing ability, use a couple of bobby pins on each side of the elastic and pin them close to the base, crossing one over the other to form an 'X' on the elastic. If you find the elastic is too loose, tie a knot in the middle of the elastic (at the position where the nape of your neck would be) to tighten it.If you have a wide-brimmed hat with a crown (rather than a base) and it's a little too big for your head, use some pieces of self-adhesive foam tape (you can buy it from any hardware store) and place them inside the head ribbon on the base of the crown. The tape will narrow the inside of the crown and create a perfect fit.If you're wearing a fascinator or hat set on a plastic alice band and you're finding the band uncomfortable, you can re-shape the band by holding it over the steam from a boiling kettle to soften it and make it pliable. Then remove from the steam and use your fingers to bend it into the shape you want by gently applying pressure to the band. Do be very careful when using steam for two reasons: 1) obviously, it's really hot and it can burn, and 2) try not to get steam near the hat part/embellishments because it can change the shape of millinery fabrics and feathers.Although clean hair looks great, it's not ideal for keeping hats in place. If you're wearing a style with a base, give a good spray of hairspray on the spot where your base will sit to "dirty it up" a little and provide some friction.Photo credits: vogue.com.au, umbrellaheaven.com and Leigh Keily.By Lisa Tan

How to last in high heels

Sometimes in order to get the fashion look you want, you have to suffer a little. One look at my mangled feet pretty much says it all... and it ain't pretty! Day to day I generally wear flats (although that certainly wasn't the case for a few years) but getting dressed up for the races or an occasion means I've gotta strap some heels on my feet.I've started gathering bits and pieces to wear for spring carnival and my latest acquisition is an eye watering 17cm tall pair of high heels. Admittedly there is a platform at the front, but they still put my feet at a rather uncomfortable angle. As much as I know I'll want to cut my feet off after a spending a day at the races in them, it simply must be done.High heels simply make everything look better. Outfits look complete with the extra height and balance out my hats. Unlike other 'how to dress for the races' articles which suggest wearing a sensible heel, perhaps even wedges or *gasp* a kitten heel, I'm going to tell you how to last a little longer in those beautiful high heel horrors that you simply must have.1. Try new shoes on around the house. Pay special attention to any spot that rubs or pinches. Make sure you can walk in your shoes. If not, now is the time to learn.2. Pre-event foot preparation. This is a bit gross but don't get rid of every last callous on your feet. They will save you later. Keep your nails short and tidy. Nail polish is a must if your toes will be seen and if you're not sure what colour to paint them, you can't go wrong with a neutral shade.3. Shoe preparation. On the places your shoes felt like they would rub cut off small pieces moleskin padding (you can buy this at a chemist) and stick them inside your shoes. Alternatively there are small gel spots that do the same job. If your shoes have the room inside use party feet or thin insoles to alleviate pain on the balls of your feet. Finally if your shoes rub on the heel or slip a little for closed back shoes use leather heel grips- they are much more comfortable than the gel versions.4. On the day foot prep. Do not moisturise your feet. Any moisture on your feet will help cause blisters. If you're wearing sandals swipe moisturiser just on the parts of your feet that stick out of your shoe- you still want your feet to look nice. Any place that your shoes rub your toes wrap them in medical tape where it can't be seen ( I use Elastoplast in the red roll package ). If you aren't wearing hosiery I highly recommend Bama silky feet spray. This reduces friction and give the feeling of wearing fine stockings on your feet. If you're wearing shoes that allow it, wear padded footlets. There are half foot versions and ones for wearing with a peep toe.Now that's pretty much everything you can reasonably do to prepare. If you know it's going to be really painful still, on the day take a coordinating pair of lower heels and pop them in the cloak room as a back up. Also put some painkillers and band aids in your purse.If all else fails, you're struggling to make it through to the last race and extra champagne isn't helping anymore I will confess to having kicked off my shoes. This is a last resort and must be saved for the most extreme circumstances. If you go down this shameful path you must be sure there are no cameras around you and that the people around you have had too much to drink to notice. If you're going to back to back race days I have learnt to ice my feet in-between, and that the feeling will return to my toes after a few weeks.By Angela

Hunting for bargains

It's half-way into winter and I'm over the cold and dressing in five layers everyday. The latest resort collections have been shown (I'll show my resort edit soon) and I'm already dreaming of sunshine and spring! But reality sinks in and I've got a few more weeks of the cold to suffer. On the plus side its sale time and winter stock is on sale everywhere! I'm a girl with champagne tastes on a beer budget so here's my tips for maximizing and getting the most out of your fashion dollar.1. Stalk your prey. Been lusting after something? If there's still plenty on the rack play the waiting game and see if you can get it cheaper next week, or the week after... When it's the last lonely garment in your size it's time to strike!2. Check and compare prices online AND in every currency. Some online stores allow you to purchase in different currencies and from different countries' sites. It isn't necessarily the best option to buy in your home currency from your home store. Do remember to factor in exchange fees and extra postage costs.As a side note to this- if I go into a store and get great service, I believe in paying for it. It's bad manners to try things on in a shop and Google for better prices online in the change rooms.3. Sign up to mailing lists of your favourite stores and follow them on Facebook, Instagram and twitter. Loyalty programs and being the first to know about sales is valuable if you are loyal to certain brands and stores.3. Don't get swept up by a 'bargain'. If you didn't like it at full price, look away at the sale price. Just because a dress is 80% off doesn't mean it's no longer ugly.4. Buy for next season. I use sale time to buy basics for the following season.I also let items 'bake' in my wardrobe. If something is amazing a great price but doesn't work with my current look I consider buying it anyway. Some of my favourite pieces have been unworn for a year or two then 'bake' long enough to become an important and loved part of my wardrobe. The key is to remember to take it out and see how you can wear it. Re-read tip #3!Great wardrobes are built up over time, not overnight.5. Buy quality. The items that get hauled out year after year are my better quality items. That doesn't mean expensive either. I look for well made garments and natural fibres. Quality garments will also help you look more polished with less effort.Finally, accept that some items are worth eating soup for a week to own. Ok, this isn't a sale hunting tip but working in fashion I have learnt that everyone fashionable I know will cry poor, yet will still find the $$$ for a new outfit. It's all about priorities! By Angela.