Julie Goodwin Couture Oaks Day essentials

It’s safe to say the entire Melbourne Cup Spring Racing Carnival is one big fashion affair for me. I’ve just wrapped up Cup Week for another year, and I may be nursing the side effects of one too many spring racing champagnes, but the celebrations haven’t stopped.

Dressing Phoebe Montague and Sharon Johal for Derby Day was just the beginning. I also dressed Brodie Worrell and Jae Lin with local milliners Felicity Northeast and Louise Macdonald, both for their entries in the VRC Millinery Award on Oaks Day, and managed to somehow squeeze in the time to dress myself on Derby Day, Cup Day, Oaks Day and Stakes Day. When you love what you do as much as I do, it’s all a lot of long (but fun!) hours.

I had all sorts of fun working on Brodie Worrell’s Oaks Day dress with her.

We paired Felicity’s asymmetric hat design with a riotous shade of hot pink, and together, we decided the 80s were back and nothing less than a double-breasted outfit would do. I found some hot pink boucle worthy of Linda Evangelista on the catwalk, then amped up the shoulder pads and cut an angled hemline to show off Brodie’s gorgeous legs. With a long line shawl collar and a synch under the bust to flatter her waist, Brodie was as thrilled with the outcome as I was.

It’s a style that would suit most women, and it’s perfect for a bigger bust and curves. Keep an open mind; just because Brodie stood out in hot pink on Oaks Day, doesn’t mean this bespoke number couldn’t be made in black for a fresh take on a traditional power suit, or white with delicate beading for an ultra-modern wedding dress.

If you have an idea in mind or you’re simply looking for the perfect fit, come and see me. If you’d like to plan next year’s spring racing outfit too, best to book in soon! It’s my busiest time of year.