While Lismore’s annual horse racing half day holiday is going ahead tomorrow, September 22, at Lismore Turf Club, it seems the buying of new frocks by fashionistas has petered out.

With reduced numbers through the gates and ticketed seating the only options for Lismore Cup punters this year, it seems local fashion shops have also paid the price.

Read more news about the Lismore Cup: Lismore Cup 'Sold Out', no walk-ins allowed in 2020

They're set for the running of the 2020 Lismore Cup on Thursday

Quiet on the fashion front

According to clothes shop keepers in Lismore’s CBD, it’s been quiet on the fashion front with very few women shopping for new dresses, shoes and accessories for the big day.

There’s also been a drop off in dress sales due to the fact that there are no school formals to attend this year and few big events like weddings to attend.

On Molesworth Street, Sportsgirl manager Lauren Kaehler said she had been busy selling the usual clothing items, but that many young women were not going to the Lismore Cup this year.

“Heaps of young girls would normally go - it’s a big social event,” she said.

“They would go to their friend’s house first and at the event, walk around and mingle with friends – but that won’t be happening this year.

“People are not even buying accessories. I used to get special dresses in for the cup but I haven’t bothered the last couple of years.

“People don’t make as much effort as they used to – they don’t seem to have a sense of style and will wear a playsuit that they wear to the beach to race day.

Traditional race day dress

“The tradition for race day fashion should be a nice dress or tailored dress, with some sort of heel. You should do your hair and wear a feature like a fascinator, hatinator, or a hat or clip to match your outfit. Not short little playsuits and dresses that you wear to the beach. It should be more formal.”

Lauren also speculated that many young people are changing their opinions on horse racing and choosing not to go because they don’t like the sport.

Petria Powell in Trea's Shoes.

Fascinators

Trea’s Shoes on Molesworth Street is one of a few shop windows in the CBD adorned with race day fashion items like fascinators.

Shop owner Trea said people had been buying shoes to go with dresses they already had.

“I’ve also sold a couple of fascinators,” she said.

She said she luckily bought the fascinators from Reg Bailey, the owner of Lismore’s popular dress shop - Tahiti Hut - before it closed earlier this year.

“He asked me to at least make a display of them in the window and make it look like race day, even if I don’t sell them,” Trea said. “George Gooley’s shop has also got horses in the window.”

Trea said in previous years, she would have gone to the race day for the social element.

“But Covid has affected the event and it’s smaller and you have to stay seated, so I’m not going,” she said.

“I know someone else who is going and had five friends. She booked a table for ten, but had to get another five women to take up the other end of the table.”

Gloves feature in the Lifeline shop.

Sad story for fashion

The same sad story for fashion was reflected at the Lifeline charity shop on Magellan Street.

Lifeline shop manager Julie said there had been so little interest in people buying fancy race day clothes that she had decided to take down the themed window display earlier in the week.

There are still a few items of formal dress on display at the front of the shop, including gloves – which Julie said she had sold a couple of pairs of.

Fashions on the Field

While fewer punters are going this year, there’s no doubt that those who will go will be dressed to the nines.

The Lismore App will keep you informed about the Fashions on the Field at tomorrow’s event.

Until then, stay fashionably dressed!