You won’t see Tessa James take her shoes off at the races

WHEN Tessa James was being treated for Hodgkin lymphoma in 2014, she made a list of things to do when she recovered. One of those things was horseriding.

Tessa James wears Zimmerman jumpsuit (with belt tie) $850, Sophie Bille Brahe ear cuff $659, Lucy Folk earrings $385, Longines watch $1875, Pierre Winter Fine Jewels necklace, from $200 each, Hatmaker hat $795. Picture: Sylve Colless

WHEN Tessa James was being treated for Hodgkin lymphoma in 2014, she made a list of things to do when she recovered.

One of those things was horseriding in Byron Bay. “Horses are known to be really healing,” she says. “I took my husband [NRL player Nate Myles] and he is actually really afraid of horses. I told him he had to ride with me because I was not well – he loves it now.”

James, who grew up around horses in Melbourne, can remember the first time she went to the races when she was in high school. “It was a huge deal. I wore a beautiful white dress with gold trim,” she recalls. Since then, the 25-year-old has honed her track-side style.

James wears Dion Lee dress $750, Viktoria Novak crown $1440.

Sportmax waistcoat $1115, Michael Lo Sordo top $250, Tome skirt $870, Fallen Broken Street hat $120, Kenneth Jay Lane $750, Lucy Folk necklace (worn as bracelet) $450, Ellery shoes $950. Picture: Sylve Colless

In June this year the actor wore Ellery to Royal Ascot in the UK as a guest of Longines, where she rubbed shoulders with Her Majesty the Queen. How does one plan an outfit suitable for royalty? “I was very prepared because you have to abide by the Ascot guidelines: dresses have to be just above the knee or longer, no midriffs, no cut-outs and my headpiece had to be a certain size,” says James, whose usual racing dress code is a lot more casual. “I like to think outside the box… When I go to the races, I like to push the boundaries of my own style. I think wearing a suit is really fun.”

Macgraw dress (with neck tie) $225, Hatmaker hat $335 and brooch $155, Longines watch $4425, Oscar de la Renta cuff $645, Bally shoes $775. Picture: Sylve Colless

A.W.A.K.E top $1196, Sandro Paris pants $420, Viktoria Novak headband POA, Saskia Diez ear cuff (top) $299 and Sophie Bille Brahe ear cuff $659, Albus Lumen neck tie $149. Picture: Sylve Colless

While she might play with man-style tailoring as part of her racing attire, she will not, under any circumstances, take her shoes off at the track. “As long as I live, I will not be that person,” she laughs.

Aje dress and collar $545, Nerida Winter headpiece $275.

Off the track, James has just finished shooting Aussie horror film Harmony, due out next year. She and Myles are currently splitting their time between Sydney – where Myles plays for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles – and LA. “Having that fluid feeling is really good. It’s such a wonderful thing for both Nate and me to be able to do what we love. That freedom is exciting,” says James.

STYLING: Gemma Keil

HAIR: Diane Gorgievski

MAKE-UP: Charle Kielty using Nars at Mecca Cosmetica

Originally published as You won’t see Tessa James take her shoes off at the races