Fashionable cut-out dresses violate The Everest’s dress code

They may be the height of fashion, but cut-out dresses are banned from The Everest this weekend — and fashionistas are up in arms about the strict dress code.

For the 10,000 lucky racegoers heading to Royal Randwick for The Everest on Saturday, it will be the first time they have had to make a decision on what to wear in three months — but some have been warned that not anything goes.

Daring cut-out dresses may be all the rage on the catwalks of Paris, Milan, London and New York, but anyone wearing them to watch the world’s richest race on turf from the members area on Saturday may be turned away.

Elyse Knowles, Andi Lew and Nadia Bartels would be denied entry at The Everest this weekend if they wore these cut-out outfits.

While certain dress regulations apply in the members area, for the great majority of racegoers in the public areas, latest fashion trends are welcomed and encouraged.

But calls for the Australian Turf Club to relax its members rules have been rebuffed by ATC director Angela Belle McSweeney, who said the club’s members dress code must be adhered to.

“Racing and fashion have always gone hand-in-hand and, as Yves Saint Laurent once said, ‘fashion fades but style is eternal’,” McSweeney said.

“The dress code rules are in place to maintain a benchmark of appropriate race day dressing. “It really comes down to common sense and the suitability of the individual outfit to a day at Royal Randwick.”

ATC director Angela Belle McSweeney makes no apologies for the strict dress code.

Female ATC members heading for the members’ enclosure to watch The Everest are currently prohibited from wearing revealing dresses “which show midriff and have cut-outs”.

Men are not allowed to wear shoes without socks.

“I totally agree the dress codes need to stay and be maintained,” a defiant Ms McSweeney said.

Those strict rules for the members’ areas do not extend to the more relaxed general admissions areas, but have still been met with calls for change from fashion experts.

“While I understand that tradition needs to be upheld, hopefully one day the ATC will relax its dress code to allow members to wear cut-out dresses,” said Tuchuzy fashion designer Kate Anderson.

“Cut-outs are a huge trend here and overseas. I imagine it would be hard and quite frustrating for women that are into fashion and seeing these trends to be told they can’t wear them to the races,” Ms Anderson said.

“I imagine it makes getting dressed that little bit harder. Roughly 30 per cent of our dresses and styles coming in all have cut-outs.”

Fashion designer and M-KARA creative director Maria Kara said: “Cut-out styles are definitely having a moment, whether it’s evening wear or a casual cut-out top, it’s definitely in style and a popular trend right now.

“Cut-outs can definitely be elegant and classy. Depending on the style, they can be super-flattering, and really elevate the look of a dress.

“There are so many different options when it comes to cut-out styles. If you’re thinking of wearing a cut-out dress at the races, I would recommend choosing a style that’s race appropriate by opting for elevated cut-outs, such as structured dresses, tailored pieces, and pieces that are bold and have interesting textures, colours and shapes.”

English model Jean Shrimpton caused a stir at the 1965 Melbourne Cup, wearing a mini-dress and no hat or gloves. Picture: Supplied

Like many, wellness expert and author Andi Lew enjoys dressing up for the races, and she believes that creative expression should be encouraged.

“These cut-out dresses are so popular, I think we will see them on the track,” she said.

“It’s not traditional … but the construct of how we live now is changing. We are more conscious of being inclusive so that will filter into fashion.

“Creative expression is a part of wellness and we’ve all been through so much, so wearing whatever makes you feel good is what I’m a fan of.”

The term “cut-outs” refers to material that is cropped out of the front, back or sides of clothing for a more revealing look.

Once popular in the 1960s and again in the 1990s, cut-out designs made a return in the early-2000s.

In 2019, former AFL WAG Nadia Bartel made headlines when she arrived at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne for Derby Day wearing a white Dion Lee dress complete with racy cut-out panels which exposed parts of her midriff.

“It is a little bit different, it is a little edgier. I did not even think about it being controversial. I just thought it was a white dress,” she said.

Wellness influencer Andi Lew said she is a fan of ‘wearing whatever makes you feel good’. Picture: Justin Lloyd

It’s not the first time that there has been controversy surrounding fashion at the races.

In 1965, English model Jean Shrimpton sparked an international uproar when she wore a white mini dress to Derby Day without a hat, gloves or stockings.

The controversy marked a revolutionary moment in women’s fashion.

Nicole Adolphe, Head of Style at THE ICONIC, said cut out dresses are great for all shapes and sizes.

“Cutaways are a go-to this season because of their versatility. Whether you want something a bit more revealing, or a small and subtle keyhole detail, they suit any shape and can easily take you from one season to the next.

“Above all, spring occasion dressing is all about feeling comfortable and confident, and not being afraid to have fun with different shapes, prints and colours.”

Banned items in the ATC’s dress code for female members include: sports shoes or thongs; jeans, shorts or playsuits; ripped clothing; garments which show midriff and have cut-outs; leggings worn as pants; parkas and tracksuit tops.

The dress code in General Admission prohibits fancy dress costumes, tattered clothing or shoes, thongs or barefoot, and offensive attire (with inappropriate language and/or imagery).

Branding expert, Nicole Reaney, of InsideOut PR said change could be implemented with a practical approach.

“It’s a war of corporate versus personal image,” she said.

“The Australian Turf club appears to be trying to uphold a desired image to ensure that patrons attend their events looking fashionable and sophisticated.

“Loosening their rules to a particular fashion trend would make it difficult to tread around high fashion ‘cut-outs’ versus clothing that oversteps the mark according to the image they are seeking to maintain.

“Where can they draw the line? Do they also need to loosen the rules again when the next style trends? In these situations, a slow considered transition to the times rather than a reactive change is more sustainable.”