What you should be wearing this Melbourne Cup Spring Racing Carnival

Stay a nose in front in the fashion stakes at this year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival by wearing vibrant colours, florals and laying off the fake tan. Here’s what else is trending.

Enjoy the passion of dressing up again. That’s the key messaging by the experts in putting your right sartorial step forward at the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Racegoers have had spell in the paddock and it’s time to show a clean pair of heels in the fashion stakes.

Vibrant colour blocking, smart florals, light off the shoulder cottons, billowing sleeves, tiers and feathers make a happy statement.

Emerging from dark, austere times translates to an explosion of bold over-the-top looks and colour to break out in style.

Shorter hemlines were on show in the spring ’22 ready-to-wear runway looks, but don’t show too much leg on the track and keep the tan-in-a-bottle at bay.

It’s all about harnessing that extra one per cent, says menswear designer and Victoria Racing Club style ambassador Dom Bagnato.

“After months of challenging times, it will be about colour, prominent checks, creative textures and a mixing of colour combination that portray a joyful visual presentation,” Bagnato said.

Myer Fashion on the Front Lawn state finalist Peta Bell in her award-winning race day outfit. Picture: Mark Stewart

Outfits like Nadia Bartel’s controversial cut-out dress have been banned by spring racing officials in a dress code crackdown.

The dapper style spotter will be running his discerning eye over the entries at Penfolds Victoria Derby Day and Lexus Melbourne Cup Day, with a new wildcard component for the National Women’s and Menswear competitions.

A custom pink paisley multi-tiered dress, doughnut Eve Till Dawn Millinery, statement Olga Berg clutch and chandelier Christie Nicolaides earrings saw 31-year-old occupational therapist Peta Bell as the Victorian state finalist for the VRC Myer Fashions on the Front Lawn competition.

Bell, of Teesdale said she was thrilled to have been selected saying she wanted to wear something that was fun and feminine and well thought out.

“My outfit started with an amazing $4 raffia bag. As soon as I saw it at the op shop two years ago, I fell in love.

“I knew it had to be made into a doughnut millinery piece, so off it went to Melbourne milliner Eve Til Dawn to work her magic,” Bell said.

The National Racewear Competition will be announced on Kennedy Oaks Day on Thursday November 4.