Double trouble

They have both taken out the top prize in Viva Fashion in the Field at the Boxing Day Races, so sisters Charlotte and Olivia Moor clearly know raceday fashion.

Charlotte, 20, won in 2008 with a feminine cream pleated dress and wide brimmed hat, and Olivia, 19, won last year with a co-ordinated pink outfit that caught the judge's eye. Both winning outfits were made by their mother Alison, who includes a vintage component to each creation, which can be inspired by anything from a picture to a feather to a fabric.

Each outfit is a collaboration between Alison and her daughters, with help from friends. "It is a process of trial and error and as I don't always use a pattern, I have bags full of disasters. My dressmaker dummy Doris is always draped in something and I am often up in the middle of the night playing with ideas."

Away from the racetrack, Charlotte and Olivia's looks are a tad more casual to suit their student lifestyle, always playful and with an eye for fashion. But perfect racewear, says Charlotte, is all about making an effort.

"Dress up, it's a day to pull out all the stops - what other day can you wear fascinators and gloves without being stared at?"

Your favourite sort of outfit for the races?

Charlotte: Anything my mum makes - she is talented and creative and there is no other designer I'd rather wear.

Olivia: I really like tailored jackets and skirts. I'm a fan of military styled jackets and structured shoulders. But flowy dresses can be both easy to wear and incredibly girly.

What are your thoughts on headwear? Do you like fascinators or do you prefer hats?

Charlotte: I like to mix it up, depending on the tone of the outfit; in 2008 I wore a cream wide-brimmed hat which was quite girly and easy to wear - which was the look Mum and I were going for. This year ... you will have to wait and see.

Olivia: I like both. As my mum makes hats, I can appreciate the time involved in creating beautiful headpieces. I think hats and fascinators can work well with different looks but I love the 1920s cloche hat look.

What about makeup? Do you like to wear lots on raceday or go au natural?

Charlotte: I prefer the natural look. Honestly, the races are usually steaming hot and having makeup running down your face is not a pretty look. I think it is a fine balance between looking glamorous and like a clown. A little makeup is nice but don't overdo it.

Olivia: I am an artistic person, so naturally I love makeup and the art behind dressing up the face. I usually just wear foundation and a bit of mascara although it is nice to do big smokey eyes or bright lips for special outings.

Who are your favourite labels/designers?

Charlotte: Shakuhachi, Cybele and Lonely Hearts as they all do classical pieces that are feminine and don't date.

Olivia: I love Sass & Bide, Lucette, Lover and Alice McCall. I love the edgy cute look at the moment, when you can complement studs and leather with lace and frills.

Your favourite accessory?

Charlotte: My diamond bow ring from Graeme Thomson. It is beautiful.

Olivia: I bought these fabulous leather shoulder pads at a gorgeous store in Australia recently. They are strung together with a thick silver and leather chain and resemble paint splodges.

Who does the best shoes for the races?

Charlotte: Nude shoes because they are comfortable, come in great colours and are very reasonably priced.

Olivia: I really like Robert Robert and Nude shoes. They make beautiful leather shoes that are super-comfortable and very pretty.

Your favourite shop?

Charlotte: Bamboo Blonde and General Pants in Australia. They carry a lot of the major designers as well as a few kooky, original pieces. When it comes to raceday wear, Alannah Hill and Natalie Chan.

Olivia: In Auckland I love Ruby Boutique, Jetset Bohemian, Moochi and Black Box. I also love secondhand stores where you can pick up one-off antique gems, and for street wear, you can't beat Jet.

Your fashion obsession?

Charlotte: Champagne goes with every outfit.

Olivia: At the moment I'm really into high necks, frills, leather and studs. I love the Elizabethan-styled shirts with contrasting grunge boots. I think that contrasting themes can work really well with fashion.

Is there anything you'd never wear?

Charlotte: I'd never say never (except for Crocs). When I was 14 I swore I'd never wear skinny leg jeans, and look at me now.

Olivia: Denim on denim on denim. The shirt, the jacket and the jeans. This is a combo that I would definitely NEVER wear... EVER!

Any style icons?

Charlotte: Grace Kelly. She always looked so beautiful.

Olivia: I think model Erin Wasson has fabulous dress sense. She dresses quite masculine, and wears a mixture of edgy rock and simple frocks. She is so naturally beautiful that she makes every outfit look amazing.

Favourite fashion-y movie, or fashion moment in film?

Charlotte: High Society with Grace Kelly and Almost Famous when you're not feeling so classy.

What are you wearing right now?

Charlotte: A dress borrowed from a friend.

Olivia: My fire engine red dressing gown ... I am a bit lazy at home.

What was the last item of clothing you bought?

Charlotte: A very cool structured dress with shoulder pads from Gripp.

Olivia: A layered silk top from Moochi.

How would you describe your day to day style?

Charlotte: I don't dress like I go to the races everyday, I like to keep that for special. Day to day I go for comfort - shorts, dresses - anything easy to throw on but also ensures you won't be wearing the same outfit as your lab partner [Charlotte is doing a BSC majoring in nutrition].

Olivia: Some days I dress really dolly and wear pretty dresses and cute brogues. Other days I dress quite grunge and wear a lot of black and Doc Martens.

Who is your ultimate fashion plate?

Charlotte: Whitney Port/Grace Kelly - I like to throw vintage and classic in the blender and see what happens.

Olivia: Erin Wasson and Irina Lazareanu.

What is your favourite decade, style-wise?

Charlotte: Now. We encompass the best of all decades.

Olivia: At the moment I would probably have to say that the 90s is totally making a comeback. I like ideas from the Victorian era like the lace and high necks, the MC hammer look from the 80s, and the femininity and classic nature of the 20s and 30s.

Describe the best outfit you've ever worn.

Charlotte: Last year's winning outfit from Viva Fashion in the Field: a floaty cream pleated dress with vintage trim from Salvage and a wide-brimmed hat. My mum made it and it made me feel great, improved even more so by the win!

Olivia: I bought a fabulous Lucette shirt, which has a row of frills along the bottom. It has a military neckline and structured panels of black lace. It's a silk cotton so is super soft. I wore it with my leather shoulder pads, a straight, above-the-knee black skirt and chunky boots. It was very rock 'n' roll.