Melbourne Cup dress code and themes: What you can and can’t wear to the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington

MEN can now go sock-less with the rule relaxed in the Birdcage and Members Enclosure at Flemington. Ensure you’re across the rest of the rules with our recap of what you can and can’t wear.

Ankles are now allowed, gents. Picture: Aaron Francis/The Australian

MEN who sport a sock-free style are an affront to fashion to some, but to others the look is a fresh take on spring.

And with hemlines on cuffed chinos rising dangerously high, Victoria Racing Club chairman Amanda Elliott announced that Flemington will embrace sockless men in the refined Members Enclosure and Birdcage for the first time.

“The change to our dress regulations recognises our customers’ fashion-forward tastes and reflects our awareness of sartorial trends,” VRC customer engagement general manager Caroline Ralphsmith said.

Tom Farrelly and Zach Grenenger both sporting the trend of wearing a suit and dress shoes but no socks. Picture: Richard Dobson

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This news opens up style choices for fashionable men hoping to flaunt their ankles — so let’s recap the spring racing dress codes and what you can and can’t wear to the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

SPRING RACING THEMES

AAMI Victoria Derby Day

Nicole Kidman with the Melbourne Cup trophy on Derby Day in 2012.

On Derby Day, Flemington Racecourse visitors will be clad in monochrome as the dress code is strictly black, white, both black and white, and men can wear tailored greys.

Emirates Melbourne Cup Day

The biggest day of Australia’s horse racing calendar, and the second day of the carnival, is all about bright, bold pops of colour and standout headwear.

Kennedy Oaks Day

Known as Ladies Day, Oaks Day is unsurprisingly about spring colours and femininity — think pastels, floral and lace.

Emirates Stakes Day

The last day of the carnival is known as family’s day, and is the most relaxed day in terms of dress codes — although the VRC codes must still be adhered to.

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WHAT IS ALLOWED?

Livia Dalla-Fontana and Sara Nicotera wearing Newspaper hats at 2016 Crown Oaks Day, Myer Fashions on the Field. Picture: David Caird

General Admission:

There is no formal dress code for punters in general admission.

Corporate areas, The Birdcage and VRC Members and Guests:

Men must wear a suit of tailored slacks (chinos included), a sports coat or blazer, dress shoes and a tie. Women must dress at an appropriate race day standard and wear suitable attire. And children must be neatly dressed with an adult.

WHAT ISN’T ALLOWED?

Were you planning on wearing an item from this list? Avoid these and you won’t get stopped in your tracks by the Flemington style police.

Myer Fashions on the Field 2016 National Final winner Courtney Moore. Photo: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images for the VRC

Women

• Sport or track shoes, runners, thongs, broken and rundown footwear, gumboots or slippers

• Jeans, jodhpurs, tracksuits, leather pants or untailored pants

• Shorts

• Jumpsuits or playsuits

• Pants tucked into socks or shoes

• Torn or ripped clothing — even if intentionally ripped

• Garments showing midriffs

• Leggings — though footlights tights are acceptable

• Casual or untailored jackets. This includes parkas, duffel coats, windcheaters, tracksuit tops, denim jackets, and golf and yachting weatherproofs.

• Strictly no denim

Men

• Sports or track shoes, runners, sandals, thongs, broken and rundown footwear, gumboots or slippers

• Jeans, jodhpurs, shorts, untailored slacks or cargo pants

• Torn or ripped clothing — even if purposefully ripped

• Open-neck shirts or shirts with no collar

• Casual or untailored jackets including: Parkas, duffel coats, windcheaters, tracksuit tops, golf and yachting weatherproofs, waist length jackets including bomber jackets, denim jackets, anoraks and driza bone jackets

• Safari suits, bright or fluorescent coloured suits, tracksuits

• Peaked caps or beanies

• Pullovers or cardigans (without a jacket), rugby tops and football guernseys, even if wearing a tie

• Cravats

• Strictly no denim