Sydney’s best dressed share their tips for the perfect Everest look

Fashion at the world’s richest turf race is all about glamour, but you can still look a million bucks without breaking the bank, according to Sydney's top stylists. Explore the interactive.

Pulling off a stellar head-to-toe racing look isn’t about luxe brands or expensive price tags.

That’s the message of stylist Donny Galella ahead of TAB Everest Day at Royal Randwick, with punters urged to get into the spirit of the spring carnival.

“The key thing about dressing for the races is anyone can attend on any budget,” Galella told Confidential.

“It is really about putting a beautiful outfit that is appropriate for the carnival. With Covid, we were starved of glamour, wearing our comfy gear, so this is about having fun with fashion again.”

“I would empower people to go through their wardrobe and think about sustainability, wear things more than once and wear them differently and wear something you feel good in. Don’t dress for other people, dress for yourself.”

Sam Nelson and Viera Macikova sporting their race day outfits. See how to get their look below. Picture: Richard Dobson

Galella has been a regular judge of the Fashions Stakes competition, where a male and female best-dressed will be crowned.

A Showstopper category has been added this year to make the field more inclusive. There is $30,000 in prizes over the carnival.

HOW TO GET THE LOOK

“Stay true to you,” Galella said. “Be bold, have fun and express yourself through your clothes and your outfit. Don’t always follow the trends – know what you love and feel good in and go for that.”

A touch of blue is the fashion tip for this year’s TAB Everest Day.

In the past, you had to be there in person to enter Fashion Stakes but it is now open online at theraces.com.au/fashionstakes, with Everest Day entries closing at 2pm on Saturday.

Viera Macikova, 46, is a serial Fashion Stakes entrant, having won in 2019 and 2021.

Fashionista Viera Macikova ahead of this weekend’s 2022 Everest. Picture: Richard Dobson

“An outfit needs to be cohesive, it needs to capture a bit of attention and it needs to be fun,” she said.

“Everything head-to-toe needs to be spot on.

“It is not about spending a lot of money. It is about styling the right way and making sure an outfit works together.”

Social media manager Sam Nelson. Picture: Richard Dobson

Social media manger Sam Nelson, 29, said men were now more likely to take risks and be bold with their fashion choices.

“Fashion with blokes now is evolving from what it used to be; a suit and a tie from your general store,” Nelson said.

“Now there is a push for guys to up their game as the women are so strong.

“I’ve got a competition with my partner at the moment as to who can look the best on race day.”