Anna Robards defends controversial outfit detail at Derby Day and reveals parenting hack she and Tim swear by

Some fashion critics may claim peplums should be left behind in the 2010s but the style appears to be making a comeback and Anna Robards is all about it.

Speaking to 9honey at the Crown marquee on Derby Day, she says, "I loved a peplum back in the day, when I was a lot younger ... and I love that it's coming back."

The mum-of-two adds that she was styled by Lana Wilkinson and "whatever she says goes" when it comes to spring racing fashion, but this all-white ensemble is a particular favourite of hers.

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Not just because it looks phenomenal either.

"I don't have to suck it in wearing this," she laughs. "So I feel really good."

She and husband Tim Robards left their two daughters Elle, four, and Ruby, seven months, at home with their parents to enjoy a kid-free escape in Melbourne.

It's a rare opportunity for the busy couple, who are still adjusting to the juggle of having two little ones in the house.

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"It's a lot of hard work, and I deal with the same issues as every other parent out there," Anna says of her daughters.

"As much as I love them, I think it's really nice that I can actually enjoy the day and not worry."

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One hack that has really helped her and Tim has been synchronising their digital calendars so that they always know where the other is, especially on busy days packed with school drop offs, work meetings and more.

"We just work really well together. There's still days where it's really hard, like every other parent out there, but we've gotten good at tag-teaming," she says.

Tim is somewhere in the crowd at the Crown marquee but Anna admits Derby Day is more of a girls' day out for her.

She brought her older sister Andrea along for the occasion, who stops by our interview just to sing her little sister's praises.

"Anna's the most glam person ever," she says, though Anna is quick to confess it takes a whole team of people to get her looking race-day ready.

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