WORDS BY LUCY HARDY
Dress codes: not the most fun, we’ll admit. Thankfully, though, the dress code for the Spring Races leaves some room for interpretation: with some exceptions, as long as you’re dressed to a ‘suitable standard’, you’re in the clear. And shoes, in particular, are where you can have some fun: the rules only stipulate that you can’t wear thongs, trainers or anything too casual. And you weren’t thinking of doing that anyway. Right?
Just in case, here are some of the biggest SS18 footwear trends that’ll work within the dress code.
Channel the eighties
Paging Alexis Carrington Colby: there’s an eighties revival racing through fashion. Plus, the Spring Races is the perfect time to throw it back to over-the-top opulence and all-out glamour. We’re backing the voluminous bow-accented styles from Magda Butrym and the just-this-side-of-garish animal prints from Saint Laurent.
The Power Kitten
To heel or not to heel? This question is a whole lot easier to answer, thanks to the kitten heel riding back into the style stakes. It’s the happy medium of footwear, sitting in the sweet spot between comfort and formal attire. And this season, they are far from being too prim: just look at Balenciaga’s knife-like proportions and vivid colourways.
All on Black (and white)
The black-and-white Derby Day dress code needn’t be too restrictive. Take it as an opportunity to have some fun with shape: you’ll be right on the money with the sculptural heel styles from Jacquemus and Prada.
Go Woven, Yes, really
You’ll have noticed the supersize straw hat trend on your Insta feed – in fact woven accessories have been seen everywhere this season from Cult Gaia to Gucci. Plus they’ll work perfectly with summery dresses.
On the Flats