Australian Turf Club bans daring outfit in dress code crackdown

A controversial outfit worn by embattled WAG Nadia Bartel has been banned by spring racing officials in a dress code crackdown.

Race day fashion has always come with a strict guide book – but organisers have been forced to double down after a string of celebrity guests continued to break the rules with flesh-baring outfits.

Australian Turf Club (ATC) has stated trendy “cut out” dresses and ensembles which “show midriff” are unacceptable race day attire ahead of Saturday’s Everest Cup.

The skimpy designs have been frowned upon by organisers in the past but rarely enforced. However a new dress code describes anything that flashes the flesh as “not acceptable”.

“Ladies are expected to maintain a suitable standard in keeping with the regulations of the Members Reserve,” ATC states online.

“Dress code also applies to members’ guests and those day guests in dining rooms and venues within the members reserve areas.”

Australian Turf Club have made it clear dresses with cut out like the one seen here on Nadia Bartel are ‘not acceptable’. Picture: Mackenzie Sweetnam/Getty Images

The embattled former WAG wore the controversial outfit at Derby Day in 2019. Picture: James Gourley/Getty Images

The rules have never served as much of a deterrent to famous attendees in the past – including embattled former WAG Nadia Bartel who controversially a wore white Dion Lee dress to Derby Day in 2019 that featured cut outs on the hip.

Nadia – who was embroiled in a snorting scandal in September – is also a fan of a racy thigh split and a plunging neckline, rocking the risque designs at the elegant festivities in 2020.

She’s not the only attendee who has chosen to risk a cut-out dress in recent years, with former Bumble director of marketing Michelle Battersby opting for a lilac dress with the racy detailing in 2019.

The design from Mariam Seddiq had long sleeves and striking detailing on the shoulders but at the back had structured cut outs that flashed her shoulders and lower back.

Former Bumble VIP Michelle Battersby wore this dress in 2019. Picture: Instagram/MichelleBattersby

From the back it featured an array of flesh-flashing cut outs. Picture: Instagram/MichelleBattersby

Other garments deemed “not acceptable” are the jeans, shorts and leggings as well as “ripped” clothing and bulky jackets like parkas and duffel coats.

The racy cut out has become a huge trend in the last few years, being rocked by influencers and A-listers.

Kim Kardashian was one of the first to go full throttle with the risque design, wearing a vintage Thierry Mugler gown in 2019 that sparked the trend.

Since then it has been seen on red carpets for movie premieres and fashion shows, altering fashion and swimwear trends before resulting in it being spotted on everyday women walking down the street.

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