Model advice: Rachael Finch tells you what to wear to the races during the Sydney Spring Carnival

THERE are not a lot of places that have a strict dress code, but the races is one of them. The 2014 Sydney Spring Carnival has begun and Australian Turf Club ambassador Rachael Finch gives you tips on how to dress for the races.

Rachael Finch and a horse for the cover of Shop Smart. Randwick Racecourse.

THERE are not a lot of places that have a strict dress code, but the races is one of them.

The 2014 Sydney Spring Carnival began on the weekend with the De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose Day at Rosehill Gardens and continues until October 18.

Australian Turf Club ambassador, Rachael Finch, loves dressing up for the track.

“There’s a lot of white, which is a crisp, fresh look coming out of winter,” she says.

“Pastels are going to be a massive thing and there’s lots of vibrant colours in lighter, longer fabrics.

“Prints are big, I’m seeing geometric, floral and metallic coming through. It’s about finding what works for you.”

Model Rachael Finch shares her fashion tips for the racing season.

Although traditional race day rules are quite conservative, she believes you can still have fun with fashion.

“Yes there are rules but it’s still important to be yourself and put personality into it,” she says.

“I think you can push the rules a bit and not be boring.

“Having your shoulders covered is quite traditional but in this day and age, I think you can push it a little bit by using cut-outs and sheer panels. You can play with the silhouettes and fabrics.”

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The idea behind the rules is to look ladylike rather than heading out to a nightclub, so skirt lengths should be modest and body-hugging dresses are also frowned upon.

But while Finch believes you can be flexible with most of the rules, there’s one you can’t break.

“I think you have to have some kind of headwear, even if it’s a jewelled headband of some sort,” she says.

“It’s one of the traditions you can’t break, it should always be upheld because it’s something specific to the races.”

Rachael Finch is a fan of headbands at the races.

Hatmaker’s Jonathan Howard agrees and says this season it’s all about the return of the hat.

“Fascinators can only get so big,” he says.

“With tailored clothes a proper hat is a better choice because it’s a more grown-up look.”

Brims are getting bigger and although black is always popular, he is also seeing a resurgence of red.

“We haven’t seen red for awhile now, but we’re seeing it come through again,” he says.

“There’s a lot of black, white and red being worn together, it’s that little exclamation point on your outfit.”

Howard also predicts pastels, feathers and metallics will be big on the track this season.

While he believes that headwear should be a reflection of your personality, there’s one rule that shouldn’t be broken.

“It needs to be straw, rather than wool or felt, for spring racing,” he says.

“It’s traditional but because it’s a light, airy fabric it’s also practical.”

Originally published as Model advice: Rachael Finch tells you what to wear to the races during the Sydney Spring Carnival