‘Strictly enforced’: Man turned away from the Melbourne Cup Birdcage for wearing a cravat
A man was denied entry to the Birdcage at the Melbourne Cup yesterday over this fashion faux pas – and no, he wasn’t Matt Preston.
With the right pass in hand, an elderly gentleman strolled up to the Birdcage at Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday afternoon for the Melbourne Cup.
But that was as far as he got.
His neck was adorned with a prohibited item listed among 20 “not acceptable” dot points on the Victoria Racing Club’s dress regulations for men and women in the enclosure – a cravat.
“Sorry mate, no cravats,” a security guard in a purple blazer said, overheard by news.com.au.
The man, in his 70s, grabbed at the silk around his throat and glanced at his displeased wife.
An elderly gentleman just got turned away from The Birdcage at the #MelbourneCup. He wasn’t drunk and disorderly and he had the right pass. But he was wearing a cravat. They’re banned. Take a moment to let that wash over you. pic.twitter.com/fpSAN8tPpy
— Rohan Smith (@Ro_Smith) November 5, 2019
Those swanning into the Birdcage must adhere to dress regulations for members and guests.
“Dress standards will be strictly enforced throughout the racing season,” the VRC states.
“The Club reserves the right to refuse entry to or remove from the Members Enclosure any person considered inappropriately attired.”
If you’re aged over 12, you’re considered a gentleman or a lady under the rules.
“Gentlemen are required to wear a suit of tailored slacks (tailored chinos are acceptable), sports coat or blazer, plus tie and dress shoes,” the VRC Flemington website states.
Jackets can only be removed between December 1 and March 31, so the carnival in early November doesn’t make the cut.
“Ladies are expected to maintain a suitable standard in keeping with the distinction of the Members Enclosure,” the rules state.
“Younger children accompanied by an adult must also be suitably attired.”
Any overseas visitors are welcome to wear the formal national dress of their country.
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WHAT CAN’T YOU WEAR INSIDE THE BIRDCAGE?
FOR WOMEN:
• Any form of the following footwear: joggers, sports shoes, track shoes, runners, slippers, dilapidated footwear, gumboots or thongs. A shoe is considered a thong if it has two straps which connect in between the first and second toes.
• Jeans, jodhpurs, tracksuits, leather pants or untailored pants.
• Shorts.
• Short jumpsuits/playsuits.
• Pants tucked into socks or footwear.
• Torn or ripped clothing even if considered “designer” tears.
• Garments which show midriff.
• Leggings worn as pants. Footless tights acceptable if suitable dress worn over the top.
• Parkas, duffel coats, windbreakers, tracksuits tops, golf and yachting weatherproofs, denim jackets, casual or untailored leather jackets, anoraks and Driza-Bone (oilskin) jackets.
• Strictly no denim.
FOR MEN:
• Any form of the following footwear: joggers, sports shoes, track shoes, runners, sandals, thongs, dilapidated footwear, gumboots or slippers.
• Jeans, jodhpurs, untailored slacks, leather pants, cargo pants, or pants with elastic cuffs.
• Torn or ripped clothing even if considered “designer” tears.
• Open-neck shirts or shirts with no collar.
• Parkas, duffel coats, windbreakers, tracksuits tops, golf and yachting weatherproofs, waist length jackets including bomber jackets, denim jackets, casual or untailored leather jackets, anoraks and Driza-Bone (oilskin) jackets.
• Safari suits, bright/fluorescent coloured suits, tracksuits.
• Peaked caps, beanies.
• Pullovers or cardigans (without a jacket), rugby tops or football guernseys, even if wearing a tie.
• Cravats.
• Strictly no denim.
For the goody-two-shoes’ out there, each day of the racing carnival has an official lapel flower.
It was the blue cornflower on Derby Day and yellow rose at the Melbourne Cup yesterday, with a pink rose on Oaks Day (Thursday) and a red rose on Stakes Day (Saturday) to come.
RELATED: All the hot looks and frock shocks at Derby Day 2019
ARE THE RULES ‘STRICTLY ENFORCED’?
A number of celebrities turned heads at Derby Day on Saturday by bending the rules, only to find themselves happily mingling in the exclusive trackside marquees.
Myer ambassador and former The Block star Elyse Knowles wore a custom Anna Quan white shirt dress and was a judge of the Fashions on the Field.
The model bared either side of her sculpted stomach despite “garments which show midriff” being officially out of the question.
Glamorous WAG and races stalwart Nadia Bartel wore a white off-the-shoulder dress by Dion Lee with cut-out side panels to display her svelte frame inside the Birdcage.
The Sydney Morning Herald on Monday reported the VRC had responded to the seemingly lax enforcement of dress codes.
“The VRC does not have control over what our valued partners, ambassadors and guests choose to wear but they are expected to comply with members dress regulations when they are in members areas, including the Birdcage,” executive general manager of customer engagement, Caroline Ralphsmith, said.
The SMH also reported fashion designer Tully Lou was yesterday forced to buy a skirt outside the Birdcage to cover her shorts which are formally considered an unacceptable choice.
RELATED: First look inside the exclusive 2019 Birdcage marquees
Also on Tuesday, model and TV presenter Brooke Hogan bared her stomach in a custom lilac Lillian Khallouf dress.
Appearing in Bumble’s marquee inside the Birdcage yesterday, model Gemma Ward could be forgiven for not having clued herself up on the dress code before her first Melbourne Cup, rocking cut-outs on either side of her black outfit.
With two days left of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, it remains to be seen who else will throw caution to the wind with their wardrobe.
What do you think of the rules? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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