Magic touch needed for winning outfit in the lead up to Millions

LISA March jokes her daughter Hanna Portelli is going to kill her when she sees she borrowed one of her dresses to whip up this racewear outfit.

Lisa March and her daughter Bella Portelli will be attending the social functions and race day for Magic Millions. Picture: David Clark

LISA March jokes her daughter Hanna Portelli is going to kill her when she sees she borrowed one of her dresses to whip up this racewear outfit.

Kleptomania runs in the family with 15-year-old Bella Portelli also raiding her mum’s wardrobe and throwing on one of her blouses.

The beauty of being similar sizes means the fashion forward Paradise Waters family has an endless supply of racewear pieces.

With Mrs March’s calendar full of Magic Millions events this week, she is never in short supply of outfits to show off in the hope of winning a best-dressed prized.

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Mrs March is entering the Myer Fashions on the Field state final at next Saturday’s Jeep Magic Millions Raceday, but also will put her best shoe forward at several of the carnival’s off-track events.

Lisa March and her daughter Bella Portelli will be attending the social functions and race day for Magic Millions. Picture: David Clark

“I run a carpet cleaning business and we do the Sheraton and QT hotels, so one day I’m in my work clothes and the next I’m all frocked up,” she said.

“The girls and I share everything — all our hats and bags and clothes if we fit them.

“I know what I like and the girls are a lot younger, so they like younger clothes but we all love fashion.

“I try and buy quality pieces that will come back in fashion 20 years later, so my wardrobe is full of stuff I’ve had for years.”

Her efforts have scored her about $20,000 in prizes this year, picking up best dressed at Ladies Day and the Prime Minister’s Cup at the Gold Coast Turf Club and even the Darwin Cup when she travelled to the Northern Territory to enter.

The Darwin Cup win meant she scored a spot at the national final at the Melbourne Cup, taking the whole family down for the trip, with Hanna making the top 10 on Oaks Day.

“The prize pools are huge,” she said.

“A lot of people are travelling to the Gold Coast now (to enter) and there’s a big fashion following here.

“The Gold Coast has changed a lot and we have a much better style now, it’s less out there and gaudy.”

While Mrs March cannot give to much away for next weekend’s outfit, she revealed she is going for a fresh white look with pastel pink accents.

LISA’S TIPS FOR RACEWEAR FASHION:

— Be thrifty, recycle things and look for pieces you can wear again, not just for the races

— White will be big again this year, metallic accessories and always go for colour on the Gold Coast

— When splashing out, go for quality pieces that will last a long time

— Know your own style, don’t copy others

— Go for comfort and don’t just buy things that are on tend