WHEN it comes to dressing for the races, serial fashions-on-the-field entrant Angela Menz, of Kingston, is not interested in rules.

“I know there are a lot of unwritten rules and I tend to ignore them,” Angela says in response to those who advise of demure dressing.

“Often my skirts are a bit shorter than other contestants and some people think that strapless is inappropriate for the races. Well, I have worn strapless and I will do it again and I have won fashions on the field wearing a strapless dress.

“I think if something is done right, it doesn’t necessarily have to fit the rules.”

The 27-year-old has entered more than 100 fashions-on-the-field competitions during the past decade. Her partner isn’t mad about going to the races so she always goes with her dad (a former bookie). She says going to the races has always been a part of her life.

“I’m well and truly into triple figures now. That’s a lot of fashions on the field!” she says.

And it’s paying off. Angela, who manages a retail store, is preparing for one of the biggest contests so far when she heads to Melbourne next month to compete for the fashions on the field national title held on Oaks Day.

“I’ll get to go to Myer birdcage and mingle with the celebrities and I’ll also be in the Melbourne Cup parade, sitting in a car waving to the crowd,” Angela says.

“I still get really nervous, I’ve done so many and I’ve been doing it for so long, but I still get really nervous.

“I believe the celebrity judge for the final is going to be Sarah Jessica Parker so to be standing in front of someone like that and be judged on your outfit is pretty scary.

“Another judge is milliner Philip Treacy and he is like a god to me, so that’s going to be really exciting.”

Lucky for Angela, she doesn’t have to stress about what to wear to Oaks Day.

“For my winning outfit, which I now have to wear in the final, I was going with the colour-blocking trend so that was chartreuse, hot pink and orange and very strong block colours.”

For the “CityNews” cover shoot, Angela’s outfit featured a clash of prints, with the one shoulder and bubble skirt mixing gingham with florals, which she also plans to wear during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

“I guess it’s a bit of an eclectic look,” she says.

“I think for the races, feminine, romantic and pretty looks are always appropriate and something I’ll be doing.”

Angela views her love for race wear as a hobby. She finished studying fashion design a few years ago and since then spends much of her spare time designing clothes and headwear. She still can’t decide which she likes best – the millinery or clothing design.

“I do love fashion and I spend a lot more time on it than the average person,” she says.

And how much money does she spend on her passion for fashion?

“I try not to think about that too much because it might depress me. I think if you really want something, you will always find a way to afford it.

“Other people my age spend a lot of money travelling around going to music festivals and concerts and this is just my thing that I pour my money into and spend my weekends doing.

“I love it and just get completely sucked in!”