Lana Wilkinson at the 2018 Melbourne Cup
It’s the race that stops the nation… the Melbourne Cup! This prestigious day that has the highest prize pool of any race in the world, and it’s all about being bold with your fashion choices this year. Coming in after the monochromatic Derby day, the Melbourne Cup is known for always being an explosion of colour.
Before styling your outfit together, don’t forget the all-important dress code. Breaking the dress code can mean that you’re denied entry into certain members areas, so it’s wise to be familiar with the regulations before settling on your outfit of choice. The key rules to remember are:
- It’s a strict no-midriff policy
- It’s daytime dress code; so leave the sequins at home, avoid wearing overly formal attire, short skirts and definitely no shorts for either gender
- No sneakers or anything that resembles fitness attire
- No torn or ripped clothing
What to wear | The colour that will dominate at the Melbourne Cup this year is predicted to be pink! Whether you opt for a vibrant hot pink, or a more muted petal peony hue, you can’t go wrong this year. Statement red pieces will also be trending. Try a pencil midi dress with a statement exaggerated sleeve or large shoulder bow to really stand out. Carrying on with the themes in the Derby Day edit, suiting – particularly those in bold colours – are also tipped to be popular among race goers. Many Australian designers are showcasing suits in their collections, so it’s a chance to mix things up and add a masculine touch to your races style.
Millinery | With the royals helping give classic millinery make a comeback, complement your outfit with a slanted boater hat. This will really add an element of classic chic. This was a big trend during the 2018 racing season, and is still going strong, with some milliners producing straw boaters on headbands to eradicate the annoyance of readjusting. Clips, large bold coloured bows and 60’s styled headbands are great way to wear a headpiece if you don’t enjoy a traditional hat. If we look back to the Met Gala, celebrities such as Gigi Hadid wore side parted slicked low ponytails, which is a great hairstyle to wear under most millinery.
Shoes | Complete your look with a pair of mules, which are hugely on trend this season. If you’re on the field or carparks, wear a blocked heel to avoid the awkwardness of digging into the grass.
It’s a day to style yourself and dress up! So enjoy it, and take the opportunity to wear a headpiece of some sort. I mean, what other day of the year can you dress up and accessorise with a dashing hat or fascinator? Melbourne Cup is a day to stand out from the crowd; mix and clash bold colours like red and hot pink, or opt for huge ruffled sleeves for a serious wow factor.
I truly enjoy your posts on cultural events like this (Derby and Melbourne Cup..never heard of them before!) ..things that are unique to the Australian people! Gives me more insights on the beautiful country..keep it up!