Melbourne Cup Carnival 2022: Bec Hewitt’s Sass & Bide outfit fail

The Melbourne tennis WAG hasn’t had much luck in the Cup style stakes, with this infamous look being widely criticised.

Put away your extravagant headpieces, because Oaks Day is all about “chic style” rather than attention grabbing outfits.

The third event of the Melbourne Cup Carnival is finally upon us, and like the two race days before it, there is of course a strict dress code.

While racegoers have to wear black and white on Derby Day, leaving colour and grandiose garments for the Cup – Oaks Day, or “ladies day” as it is also known, is all about oozing simple sophistication rather than being “over the top”.

Of course, every year someone doesn’t quite get the message, prompting a flurry of commentary on the poor soul who committed the dreaded fashion “faux-pas”.

Australian WAG Bec Hewitt has had a tough trot in the style stakes during the Melbourne Cup Carnival, with her outfit choices copping heat regularly over the years.

Bec Hewitt attends Kennedy Oaks Day at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Thursday, November 9, 2017. Picture: AAP Image/David Crosling

Back in 2017, the wife of Aussie tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt, topped a “worst dressed” list with her floaty Sass & Bide dress.

The colourful orange, blue and brown gown featured a bizarre asymmetric design which hung low over one leg while showing off the other.

Bec wore the statement piece, that some argued “swamped her”, with a pair of orange strappy heels and a red fascinator, finishing her look with a cream clutch.

The wife of Lleyton Hewitt wore this Sass & Bide dress that later topped ‘worst dressed’ lists. Picture: AAP Image/David Crosling

Oaks Day, also known as ladies day, is traditionally about ditching ‘over the top’ headpieces. Picture: AAP Image/David Crosling

Her outfits in the years before have also received a similar sledging, most notably her 2006 Cup Day ensemble.

As well as getting the “theme” wrong, poor Bec also made a bold fashion choice, wearing a bra with a low-slung boob tube and a pair of knee length white shorts.

This combo invoked the fashion police in droves at the time and some race day fans dramatically state it “still haunts” them today.

Bec’s outfit at Melbourne Cup in 2006 is now infamous. Picture: Supplied

She rocked an unusual outfit made up of shorts, a bra and a low-slung boob tube, that some say ‘still haunts’ them today. Picture: Supplied

Anyone appearing trackside at Flemington must also abide by a string of traditions and “style no-no’s” – this is inherently important for the VIP guests inside the prestigious Birdcage enclosure who are “expected to maintain a suitable standard in keeping with the dignity” according to the Victoria Racing Club (VRC).

“Key items of clothing that are not acceptable include; short jumpsuits or playsuits, garments that show the midriff and shorts,” VRC states on its website.

Tights and leggings are also banned, along with denim of any kind, outfits that feature cut-outs and clothes with tears or rips.

Footwear rules are just as strict, with thongs, sneakers and casual shoes being deemed “not acceptable”.