Redemption at Oaks Day after Melbourne Cup look slammed

Kate Waterhouse may be the daughter of racing royalty but no body is safe from the fashion critics when it comes to the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

She may be the daughter of racing royalty but nobody is safe from the fashion critics when it comes to the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

The third day of the event - Kennedy Oaks Day - encourages punters to wear a splash of purple to raise funds for the Good Friday Appeal.

During the 2022 Melbourne Cup, Kate Waterhouse wore a controversial “Barbiecore” Gucci slip dress with a tiara.

One critic declared the 40-year-old’s outfit was “the day the Cup died”.

The daughter of Gai Waterhouse defended her outfit, telling the Sydney Morning Herald: “I think Derby Day and Oaks Day are when you stick with the rules, but on Cup Day you can bend them, pushing the limits.”

She didn’t let the brutal comment dampen her spirit as just two days later the Channel 7 presenter was seen at Oaks Day rocking a two piece skirt suit in a contrasting dogtooth print.

She teamed her bright outfit with a rose gold clutch and metallic gold heels, finishing it off with a black wide-rimmed hat.

There is a particular investment in this year’s fashion at the Spring Racing Carnival after the Victoria Racing Club updated its dress regulations for exclusive member areas at Flemington Racecourse, including the prestigious Birdcage, with women now able show off their midriffs, wear cut-outs and expose backs.

After having her Melbourne Cup outfit slammed, Kate Waterhouse bounced back. Sam Tabone/Getty Images)

Kate Waterhouse during 2022 Oaks Day at Flemington Racecourse. Picture: Sam Tabone/Getty Images

However, with members still “expected to maintain a suitable standard of racewear attire” there’s a major caveat to the rules.

According to the publication, backless dresses must stop at the waist, above the buttocks.

Those looking to embrace midriff and cutout trends much like Aussie model Lara Bingle at the 2013 Derby Day, also are also prohibited from showing off their belly buttons.

“This is not a case of anything goes,” Neil Wilson, chairman of the VRC, told The Age of the new rules.

“A cut-out in this context is what we believe is appropriate for our brand. It needs to be considerate of the environment and think about the elegance of that.”