Ballarat Tweed Ride 2024

Brace yourself for a bajillion photos of this year's Ballarat Tweed Ride because I also had a new outfit that has been in development for two years. The outfit was custom-designed and made by Clasch Design from Harris Tweed tartan which I had imported from Scotland. It took so long to have this outfit because I had to save all that time first to be able to order the fabric and then to have the outfit custom-made. The outfit design is inspired by original cycling outfits of the Victorian era with big shoulders and a small waist. The trousers allow for movement but also add style with the super high waistline. The tartan is Macleod tartan. Design: Clasch Design Fabric: Harris Tweed from Etsy Blouse: Seamstress of Bloomsbury Suspenders: Bowtie and Arrow Socks: Shooting Socks UK Hat feather: Etsy Gloves: Etsy Buttons: Etsy Helmet: Bike Pretty Tartan is an incredibly hard fabric to work with because there is significant work in getting the pattern to align. With this in mind when I purchased the fabric I got more than I thought I would need in order to allow for the extra fabric that would need to be taken up to make sure that the pattern aligned when it was made. Clare had just enough fabric to make the pattern match. I highly recommend as you look at these photos to pay attention to the pattern and the exceptional job of making it match and align across the outfit. The back pockets were intentionally contrasted in order to make them stand out and not get lost in the design. The blouse I have owned for a few years and it is a much-loved piece from Seamstress of Bloomsbury made with a fabric appropriate of the era of the blouse design: Crepe de Chine. I steamed it beautifully before wearing and the sleeves were bunched into the jacket so aren't hanging as elegantly as they normally would.

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Winner of the Penny Farthing of the Day[/caption] This year's Ballarat Tweed Ride was my favourite so far. It's the closest I feel I have gotten to getting the event to reflect what it's all about. I had lots of help and some of the new elements that really seemed to pull it together included a vintage bike display (dating back to 1882) from collector Stewart Clissold, a vintage fashion parade from a collective of local collectors called Fashions In Time, vintage clothing stalls, award-winning milliners, local gin and sweet treats, a coffee van, and a pantomime of The Magic Pudding from a talented bunch of local performers. There was a photobooth of this year's commemorative pin that people loved interacting with. We had a live performance from The Little Brass Band. We also handed out award rosettes. The award categories for 2024 were: Most Dapper Participant (sponsored by ReDiscovery) Most Dapper Spectator (sponsored by Kank Wolverang Records) Most Elegant Participant (sponsored by Known World Bookstore) Most Elegant Spectator (sponsored by The Dressing Room Recycled) Tweediest Tot (sponsored by Good Games) Group of Distinction (sponsored by The Botanical House) Most Steadfast Steed (sponsored by Cycle City) Best e-Bike (sponsored by Perridak Arts) Best Non-Bike Penny Farthing of the Day (sponsored by Good Games) Most Magnificent Millinery (sponsored by The Botanical House) Spectacular Safety Gear (sponsored by Campana’s Deli) 2024 Tweed Style Icon [caption id="attachment_1310" align="alignnone" width="1365"]

Some of the most elegant spectators with the milliners[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1312" align="alignnone" width="1365"]

Ride regulars and friends including the gents of the Ballarat Beard Comp[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1311" align="alignnone" width="1440"]

The Vintage Fashion Parade to a full house, standing room only.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1314" align="alignnone" width="1440"]

Another angle of the Vintage Fashion Parade[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1315" align="alignnone" width="1365"]

The Most Elegant Participant in a striking Victorian era dress[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1316" align="alignnone" width="1353"]

Patrick Duffy and Annie Jenkins with Patrick's winning entry for the Most Steadfast Steed. These incredible tweed horses were sculpted from cardboard and had functional details including branding on the horses ears and a riding crop.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1318" align="alignnone" width="1365"]

One of the finalists for Most Magnificent Millinery (Anita) with her daughter, who made her own dress and as a result won Tweediest Tot.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1320" align="alignnone" width="1365"]

One of my favourite return dapper participants! What a legend.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1321" align="alignnone" width="1365"]

Returning with James and Caity from the ride. James' 1905 era bike broke down on the first block so I am considering adding in a prize for bike breakdowns next year.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1322" align="alignnone" width="1365"]

The winner of the Most Elegant Spectator for the second time. Chrissy is a regular attendee and looked incredible this year.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1323" align="alignnone" width="1365"]

Incredibly stylish chaps having a chat. On the very right is Grant who travelled all the way from Sydney to win Most Dapper Participant.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1324" align="alignnone" width="1365"]

Councillor Samantha Macintosh wearing Rose Hudson Millinery after winning the rosette for Most Magnificent Millinery.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1325" align="alignnone" width="1365"]