What Hat to Wear to the Dubai World Cup Style Stakes Part Two

2013 Jaguar Style Stakes Judges Nicola Gibson, Mandi Kingsbury, Simon Lock and Simone Heng

What to Wear to the Dubai World Cup 

Fashion Stakes - Part Two

by: Kathleen Lisson

This is Part Two of an interview with Dubai based creative fashion director and stylist Mandi Kingsbury, who will serve as a judge at the Jaguar Style Stakes during the Dubai World Cup 2013. Kingsbury was kind enough to answer a few questions about Dubai racing fashion. Find Part One of the interview here: http://thatsaprettyhat.blogspot.com/2013/03/what-hat-to-wear-to-dubai-world-cup.html

Do ladies attending the Dubai World Cup need racewear that is different from their everyday clothing? For what reasons?  

Race wear follows a strict code of appearance and varies drastically from every day-to-day dressing. Race wear is designed to be elegant, while almost stepping back into the bygone era.

While the ensemble can be a two piece or single dress, shoulders should be covered and the hem to the knee or lower, no higher than this.

How do you think women who dress their best to go to the races want to feel?

Regardless of the occasion, women ultimately want to feel and look their best in what they are wearing. Race day provides an additional platform for women to extend beyond the norm and dress in something exciting, permitting them selves to choose how they want to feel and emote.

My favourite and fun suggestion is to research an elegant icon that inspires your fashion appeal. It could be Anne Hathaway or Queen Raina of Jordan – just Google on the internet. Educate yourself and learn their style, understand how she wears each item then copy everything and just be her for the day!

What words would you use to describe racing fashion to someone who has not been to the races?

Race day is an elegant affair and contestants and attendees should dress for the occasion.

While the ensemble can be a two piece or single dress, shoulders should be covered and the hem to the knee or lower, no higher than this. In terms of colour, stick to pastels and feminine colours that celebrate a spring morning! 

As a stylist, what problems have you seen women encounter with their clothing and accessories at the races and at other luxury events?  

Confidence is key. I would advise everyone to ensure they choose something that suits their individual style. While it’s fun to try something new, if you’re not comfortable wearing it, people will notice. It’s all about polished elegance combined with your own personal flair.

Focus on combining the colour of your dress with accessories in complimentary colours (use a colour wheel if you need to) but be sure to not let it overpower the dress. Once you determine what the colour accent is, pair that exact hue (or it’s contrasting colour) to your shoes, clutch, belt etc. Judges pay attention to detail and love to see when you do as well.

Pastel and light colours reflect light more and are cooler (and prettier) to wear. Before you buy, check that you can sit comfortably in the dress – it’s not too tight and not too short. Again, don’t go too far above the knee if you can avoid it. Don’t forget, the undergarments you choose are fundamental. If in doubt, wear Spanx.

When choosing your heels, always break in your new heels before wearing them to an event. Walk around in them in the house for a while to avoid a potentially embarrassing moment.

Finally, when competing in the fashion on the field or candidly being shot by photographers, remember the ladylike rule of taking off your sunglasses first!

What problems do they have that could be solved by hiring a stylist? 

If budget allows, a stylist can help you avoid bad purchases and / or choices. Those fortunate with a stylist are blessed to have someone else’s opinion. It’s like a having a positive best friend shopping with you except he / she makes fabulous fashion statements professionally. 

A stylist is also in tune with the current trends (or sometimes ahead) and has contacts with top boutiques where these trends are available. A stylist’s forte is to influence you to wear the correct ensemble paired with the perfect accessories. 

A stylist will help simplify and polish your look to produce a refined and confident image – you! 

Check out Kingsbury's Jaguar Style Stakes 2013, pre-race styling inspiration here:

http://pinterest.com/mandikingsbury/jaguar-style-stakes-2013-pre-race-styling-inspirat/

 http://www.linkedin.com/in/mandikingsbury

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