Elizabeth and Damian Hurley make the case for mother-son dressing

Here in the UK right now it’s very much Big Coat weather. So who can blame national treasure Elizabeth Hurley for jetting off to Australia just in time for its summer season, taking with her a suitcase of occasionwear?

The 59-year-old is in Melbourne this week, attending a seemingly endless procession of glamorous events around the Melbourne Cup, with look-a-like son Damian acting as her plus-one and fashion-enabler on his first trip to the racing meet. And while it’s de rigueur for the A-list to twin with their daughters, Elizabeth has been once again flying the flag for coordinating with your son.

The Hurley family’s sartorial extravaganza began on November 5, when the pair attended the Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington Racecourse. Arriving via helicopter in a moment reminiscent of the hit Disney+ production of Jilly Cooper’s Rivals, Hurley Snr showcased a head-to-toe sunshine-yellow look, featuring an off-the-shoulder midi dress with floral appliqué detail on the neckline by Rebecca Vallance, paired with cream Manolo Blahnik heels and a Merve Bayindir headpiece, plus simple Tiffany & Co jewellery.

A class act, Elizabeth’s designer of choice was a wonderful diplomatic nod to her host country, with Vallance being one of Australia’s most well-known and successful designers. A go-to for the social set in the UK, Vallance recently collaborated with US socialite Nicky Hilton Rothschild on a party dress collection, and is a mainstay of Ascot, Cheltenham and the Queen’s Cup. She is also in town for the Melbourne Cup, pictured wearing coordinating dresses with Hilton Rothschild earlier in the week.

Meanwhile 22-year-old Damian wore a three-piece suit from Prada, featuring a pinstripe waistcoat and jacket with tails. In a nod to his mother’s brightly-hued look, he added a yellow flower corsage pinned to his lapel, a move no doubt orchestrated by the pair’s stylist, Mike Adler.

The next day the duo were at Crown Oaks Club Lunch at Crown Palladium, with Elizabeth again turning to Rebecca Vallance for her look. This time she upped the ante by wearing a pink and red floral print midi-dress, featuring a wrap front bodice and three-quarter length sleeves. Fully embracing the girly style, she added a thick pink headband and strappy pink heels for unapologetic glamour.

Rather than coordinating with his mother, Damian chose to wear one of his signature looks for the event: a cream tuxedo with nothing underneath, accessorised simply with a crucifix necklace and brown suede boots. It’s a look he turns to again and again, previously wearing it in black for the Black Women Rising UK Inaugural Fundraising Gala in London last month. On this occasion, he wore a suit by Roberto Cavalli, a brand that the family has strong ties with.

Finally, on Thursday the twosome were at another racing meet, this time the 2024 Oaks Day at Flemington Stadium. Eschewing the boldness of her looks from earlier in the week, this time Elizabeth channelled a modern My Fair Lady look in a classic white lace dress, featuring key-hole cut-out details on the bust and cap sleeves. Her accessories were similarly elegant, as she chose a small white clutch and floral headpiece.

It was really Damian’s turn to shine at this point, as he wore a baby pink double-breasted suit with Seventies-style loose trousers and a blue tie. His look – chosen by stylist Mike Adler once again – was by the brand Tanner Fletcher, which is known for its fluid, unisex designs, making it a considered choice for the 22-year-old. In posts of the event on his Instagram, Damian has tagged star-maker Savannah Engel of influencer agency SAVI, hinting that he’s one of the latest clients on their books.

As the Melbourne Cup draws to a close, it remains to be seen if the Hurleys will continue their sartorial escapades Down Under, but with Elizabeth known for her swimsuit brand, Elizabeth Hurley Beach, chances are they might be combining work with pleasure and taking the chance to enjoy the southern hemisphere summer. Next stop, coordinating swimwear on Bondi Beach?