Dress codes give way to party frocks and colour

While dress codes continue to be flouted by many, the Melbourne Cup was a cornucopia of colour.

Rachael Finch at the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse. Picture: Getty

While dress codes continue to be flouted by many at Flemington, Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup was a cornucopia of colour.

At times it was hard to tell whether ­attendees were lost en route to a nightclub or a wedding in Ibiza rather than Flemington.

Cup’s best-dressed in the Birdcage

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“I feel like no one understands the protocol anymore,” said Chris Kontos, fashion industry creative director.

“There were a lot of evening dresses and suits. That said, everyone came in colour and I feel like the women gave it their all today and looked really chic and beautiful.”

Paul Feig in the Kennedy Marquee. Picture: Stuart McEvoy

Hollywood director Paul Feig brought stellar wattage and traditional style to the Birdcage in a deep blue three-piece suit and ­accessories that included a fabric lapel pin, silver bee brooch and fob chain.

“I love men’s fashion,” Feig told The Australian.

“Even more than that, I love men’s styling. Fashion to me comes and goes, but style, that’s something you have, something you hang on to and that’s what makes us classic if we do it right.”

The director of such films as the female-driven comedies Bridesmaids, Spy and Ghostbusters, and the coming feel-good film Last Christmas, also sported his feminist credentials.

“Nothing makes me laugh more than great funny women, and there have been in the past so few good roles for them that I have dedicated my career to creating as many as I can.”

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Retired sprinting great Usain Bolt returned to the Melbourne Cup once more, and declared his love for Australia, fashion and the event. “I really enjoy coming here,” he told The Australian, adding that he was “fascinated by the hats you guys wear”.

“And I enjoy coming to the races because I get to dress up in a suit — and I feel I look very nice in a suit.”

While the current penchant for check suits, split suits, three-piece suits and double-breasted jackets was apparent, the over­riding trend for men was the blue suit, especially in deeper tones.

For women, the memo was a ­resounding: think pink!

From bow-trimmed dresses to the Birdcage’s marquees, Flemington was awash in shades from powder pink to eye-watering fuchsias. It brought a rosy glow to the day that was much needed after Saturday’s Derby Day washout.

Along with the usual fare of form-fitting block-colour dresses, often with feminine detailing such as ruffles, ruching and bows, there was a definite shift towards colourful tailored trouser suits in pink, red and saffron.

Gemma Ward, Michelle Battersby and Jesinta Franklin. Picture: Matrix

Model Gemma Ward attended her first Melbourne Cup, and said: “It’s really blowing me away, it’s amazing.” Wearing a black dress by Sydney designer Christopher Esber, she added: “I love seeing everyone wear colour and being creative with their headpieces.”

As expected, wide-brimmed hats made a valiant return, especi­ally in boater styles, but were still pipped by the more popular headbands, in a range of fabrics, florals and embellished metal designs.