Jodie Fox: How to stay classy at Melbourne Cup

CO-FOUNDER of Shoes of Prey Jodie Fox knows all too well the perils of spending a day at the racetrack. Here are her tips on how to stay classy for Melbourne Cup.

TWAM-20150821 EMBARGO FOR DEAL 21 August 2015 NO REUSE WITHOUT PERMISSION Jodie Fox founder of Shoes of Prey Pic : supplied by Jodie Fox

WE’VE all seen the pictures of girls stumbling out of their Melbourne Cup celebrations with shoes in one hand and the dregs of a champagne glass in the other.

It’s one of Australia’s most loved events of the year but unfortunately it makes a large percentage of attendees undone.

The now infamous hashtag: #drunkgirlsofmelbournecup highlights a couple of the key errors; copious amounts of alcohol, and unrealistically high heels which battle the grass surface at the racecourse.

Many women are simply not accustomed to the sky-high heels synonymous with the races. Teetering about all day with heels that balance on a grass foundation, it can be difficult for ladies to maintain a classy appearance as the day edges closer to 4pm and they sink further and further into the mud.

Jodie Fox keeps it classy. Source: Supplied

There are many ways you can prevent the embarrassment.

Somebody accustomed to the lavish fashion and extravagance of the races is co-founder of Shoes of Prey, Jodie Fox. Having travelled the world attending events and racing events, she shares her tips for staying classy at the races this year:

HYDRATE

Who doesn’t love a champagne? A few glasses of sparkling in the sun with your friends is perfection. It’s important however, to remember to hydrate in between times. It’s the bubbles in champagne that unfortunately bring us undone (the carbon dioxide causes the alcohol to absorb faster) so try to alternate each glass with a glass of water. It’ll keep you from becoming dehydrated and you’ll be glad of it the next day.

OPT FOR FLATS

There is a great deal of time spent on your feet trackside and while sky-high heels are the shoe of choice for the majority of race-going women, they are not the only option. Silk sandals or pointed-toe flats are a stylish alternative for those who would rather avoid the blisters and burning balls of their feet after a couple of hours. They are a growing trend on red carpet, formal events and even on the runway (look at the last few seasons of Lagerfeld for Chanel!).

Shoes of Prey have a range of flats in different styles and colours. Source: Supplied

There are plenty of options available and you can design your very own pair to go perfectly with your outfit.

You’ll be comfortable all day, and can smile smugly to yourself as you watch the other girls walk out at the end of the day with their shoes in hand rather than on their feet!

EAT

In the excitement of the races, the photo ops and the flowing drinks, it can be easy to skip lunch or settle for something light during the day. An empty stomach can mean that alcohol absorbs faster, so think about starting your day right.

Brunch with the girls is a great way to start the day and will provide not only the vitamins and minerals that you need, but it will also help you to maintain your blood sugar levels throughout the day.

Avoid the barefoot trip home with a pair of comfy shoes. Source: Supplied.

STAY CLASSY

Before I get dressed for an event, I like to think about where I am going, who will be there and the outfit would be most suitable. While everyone has their own unique style it’s important to remember that the races is a day event, not a nightclub — so perhaps save the sexier, shorter numbers for the after-party. The general rule of thumb when it comes to the races is to keep the fashion at knee height, so why not try one of the gorgeous co-ords that are out this season, or a full-length or cropped jumpsuit if you want to mix it up a little.