How to nail spring racing shopping when you’ve left it all to the last minute

MILINER Melissa Jackson has some helpful advice for those who have left the shopping to the last minute.

Last minute Spring Racing shopping tips

IF YOU want to find a hat with the wow-factor that will make you stand out on the racecourse, Melissa Jackson, who cites Coco Rocha, Kate Upton, Jennifer Hawkins and Zara Phillips as her clients, says that small boutiques and independent small businesses are where it is at.

A Melissa Jackson design.

Melissa, who is one of the over two million Australian small business owners, runs her millinery business out of her salon in Melbourne. For those of us heading out to the shops this weekend at the last minute, Melissa has put together her predictions for the top trends that you need to know to find that perfect headpiece.

* This year hats will make a BIG comeback. Wide brimmed, cloche, pillbox — it’s time to forget the fascinator — it’s all about the ‘hatinator’, a substantial headpiece to give you an overall sophisticated and stylish look.

* The best way to wear a brimmed hat is to choose a brim no wider than your shoulders for the most flattering style.

* Don’t wear a colour simply because it is ‘in’ — the most important element to create a knockout outfit is to wear a colour you love and one that suits your complexion.

* This season it’s all about contrasting textures — think lace fabric contrasted with straw, PVC or metallic fabrics. A textured edge, raw finish or trim can also give your look a contemporary and modern feel to a classic shaped hat.

* When shopping, try your sunglasses on with your hat or any other accessories such as earrings or necklaces, to get a clear idea of what the new head piece will look like if it’s a bright, sunny day.

* If you want to invest in a hat or headpiece that you can wear again, choose a colour that can be reinvented with different outfits — black, white and cream are good options as they are neutral and can be paired with any colour.

* To find unique and bespoke headpieces, I recommend heading out to your local small businesses and boutiques to find some great headpieces at similar prices, plus, you’re doing a great deed supporting your local small business owners, who need their businesses to thrive the other 364 days of the year — not just on Cup Day!

* Your shoes, bag and hat/headwear do not have to match — remember that it’s 2015 not 1950!

A Melissa Jackson design.

November is Shop Small month, celebrating the two million plus passionate small business owners like Melissa who contribute to our economy and society, accounting for four in every ten jobs and contributing over $340 billion in economic output. Click through for more info.