Did you know that it is a longstanding tradition for men to wear a dedicated flower for each particular Spring Racing Carnival race day on their jacket lapel, and it must be a fresh flower, not a fake.
It's a wonderful tradition for men to celebrate each race day and can really set a distinguished man apart from ‘the pack’.
Spring Carnival Race Day flowers and key race day events to help you prepare for this year’s Spring Racing Carnival
Day: Turnball Stakes Day held at Flemington, Melbourne.
Flower: White Freesia
Day: Caulfield Guineas Day held at Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne.
Flower: Lavender Buttonhole
Day:Blue Sapphire Race Day held at Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne.
Flower: Dutch Blue Buttonhole
Day:Caulfield Cup Race Day held at Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne.
Flower: White Rose Buttonhole
Day:Cox Plate Race Day held at Moonee Valley Racecourse, Melbourne.
Flower: Cecil Brunner Rose Buttonhole
Day:Derby Day held at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne.
Flower: Blue Cornflower Buttonhole
Day:Melbourne Cup Day held at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne.
Flower: Yellow Rose Buttonhole
Day:Oaks Day held at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne.
Flower: Pink Rose Buttonhole
Day:Stakes Day held at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne.
Flower: Red Rose Buttonhole
Some helpful tips when ordering a Spring Carnival Race day buttonhole
1. The earlier you order the more likely your florist will be able to deliver on the order. So try to order at least one week in advance to ensure your florist can source and design your spring racing carnival buttonhole. Florists are extremely busy designing party flowers and buttonholes for race days and there are only so many buttonhole orders we can take on!
2. If you are collecting the day before, ensure the buttonhole is sitting in water or is kept in a cool room overnight. It can be a good idea to collect your race day buttonhole on the morning of the race day to ensure its fresh to begin with, and stays fresh for the entire day. While you’re there collecting your flowers, send some flowers to your mum just to say I love you!
3. If the buttonhole looks wilted when you collect it from the florist, you have every right not to accept it. A buttonhole needs to be designed with a fresh, flawless bloom that looks and feels firm. If the bloom is flawed (marked or bruised petals) and is wilted on collection, it’s likely that it will only look worse within an hour or so at the track and may end up in the bin just as quickly.
4. Ensure your race day buttonhole includes a 'pearl pin' (or two pins) for you to pin the buttonhole to your jacket lapel. Without a pearl pin, you cannot pin your buttonhole to your jacket.
5. If you are collecting the buttonhole from your florist on the morning of the race day, ask your florist to pin it to your jacket lapel. An experienced florist will pin it quickly, with ease and in perfect position. Your florist will have had experience with pinning to some VERY expensive wedding suits… you hope!
6. If you are pinning a buttonhole for the first time, Youtube the instructions! There is definitely an art to it.
7. Make sure you have ordered the correct flower for the particular race day. Don't rely on the florist to know the race flower. You can use our list above when ordering your buttonhole to ensure the florist designs the buttonhole with the correct flower!
8. When removing the buttonhole at the end of the day, be sure to gently remove the pin to ensure it doesn’t leave a pin mark.
So, gents, if you want to stand out from the crowd and show everyone your a man of style and sophistication, just follow the above and you’re all set.
Kate x
