Melbourne Cup Dress Code
The biggest race in Australia always draws huge crowds to Flemington to watch the action on the track while getting dressed up and enjoying the atmosphere off it.
With that will come some big decisions about how to get that perfect Melbourne Cup outfit that perfectly fits the track’s dress code. Let us explain more about the Melbourne Cup dress code for those attending in 2024.
What Is The Dress Code for The Melbourne Cup?
It isn’t all about having a bet on Melbourne Cup online or when you’re trackside! For thousands of people, looking their best at the races is also a big part of the day.
You will see a host of articles, programmes, and posts dedicated to Melbourne Cup fashion in the lead-up to this year’s historic event. As a starting point, Flemington has a list of what is acceptable and unacceptable for men and women in each part of the racecourse. Here at AussieBet – the place for everything you need to know about online betting Australia – we have rounded up the do’s and don’ts.
General Admission Melbourne Cup Dress Code
It is important to know that there are no dress regulations for general admission ticket holders attending the racing. However, visitors are advised to dress suitably in usual race attire. Even general admission ticket holders will tend to wear suit jackets and dresses to the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Melbourne Cup Members’ Areas Dress Code
The Members Enclosure includes The Club Stand, The Grandstand, the Members Front Lawn, the Betting Ring, the Members Reserved Car Parks, and The Birdcage.
It is in these areas where the Melbourne Cup dress code will be followed. You should dress to impress and follow the key guidelines we set out below.
Melbourne Cup Fashion 2024
Finding fashionable outfits with a hint of individuality, all brought together by that perfect accessory is the aim of the game when it comes to Melbourne Cup wear in 2024.
It doesn’t really matter which area of the racecourse you attend, there will be plenty of people vying to show off their best ensemble. Designer dresses, elaborate hats or fascinators, and a perfect piece of jewellery will be what women go for, while the men will be keen to show off their favourite, suit, shirt and tie combo. Don’t be surprised to see a few couples colour-matching their outfits as well. Before deciding don’t the fashion choices this year, take a look at what you can’t wear this time around.
Ladies’ Dress Code for the Melbourne Cup
Women tend to wear dresses and fascinators generally in the members’ areas and style is key each and every year. There are plenty of guidelines that make it clear what not to wear:
Not Permitted
- Any form of the following footwear: joggers, sports shoes, track shoes, runners, slippers, dilapidated footwear, gumboots, or thongs.
- Jeans, jodhpurs, tracksuits, or untailored pants
- Short jumpsuits/playsuits and shorts or short suits that are above the knee
- Pants tucked into socks or footwear
- Torn or ripped clothing even if considered ‘designer’ tears
- Garments that show belly button and garments that show an open back below the waist
- Bralettes and bandeau crop tops
- Leggings worn as pants. Footless tights are acceptable if suitable dress worn over the top
- Parkas, duffle coats, windbreakers, tracksuit tops, golf and yachting weatherproof jackets, denim jackets, casual or untailored leather jackets, anoraks, and Driza-Bone (oilskin) jackets
- Strictly no denim
Gentlemen’s Dress Code for the Melbourne Cup
It isn’t only the ladies that get dressed up for the Melbourne Cup. The men also make an effort when the annual event arrives.
Acceptable clothing includes a suit or blazer, tailored trousers, tailored shorts that are on or below the knee, a collared dress shirt with a tie or bow tie, and dress shoes.
Not Permitted
- Any form of the following footwear: joggers, sports shoes, track shoes, runners, sandals, thongs, dilapidated footwear, gumboots, or slippers
- Jeans, jodhpurs, untailored pants, cargo pants, or pants with elastic cuffs
- Shorts of any kind that are above the knee – such as bike shorts, stretch shorts, board shorts, sports shorts, and casual shorts
- Torn or ripped clothing even if considered ‘designer’ tears
- Open-neck shirts or shirts with no collar
- Parkas, duffle coats, windbreakers, tracksuit tops, golf and yachting weatherproof jackets, waist-length jackets including bomber jackets, denim jackets, casual or untailored leather jackets, anoraks, and oilskin jackets
- Safari suits, tracksuits
- Peaked caps, beanies
- Pullovers or cardigans (without a jacket), rugby tops, and football guernseys, even if wearing a tie
- Cravats
- Strictly no denim
Melbourne Cup Fashions on the Field 2024
Once you have considered the latest trends, have checked out the Melbourne Cup dress code do’s and don’ts, put together your final outfit and then headed to the track, you may want to enter the Fashion on the Fields awards in 2024.
What is the Melbourne Cup Fashions on the Fields?
The Fashion on the Fields is a traditional competition to find the racegoer that is best dressed. It was first held in 1962 to try to boost female attendance but has since become one of the country’s top fashion events for all genders.
In fact, The Victoria Racing Club got rid of the traditional womenswear and menswear winner categories in 2023 and replaced them with ‘Best Dressed’ and ‘Best Suited’ categories instead, which are available to enter by all identities and also see categories for different ages as well.
Here is the updated list of the categories available in the Fashions on the Field competition:
- Best Dressed
- Best Suited
- Family Racewear
- Boys Racewear
- Girls Racewear
- Emerging Designer Award
- Millinery Award
Dress Up and Watch the Melbourne Cup at Home
Another popular option for many people is getting dressed up when watching the Melbourne Cup away from the racetrack.
Now, thanks to extended live TV coverage and the chance to also watch a Melbourne Cup live stream, racing fans can catch the action on multiple devices to watch with friends and family.
Watching a bookmaker live stream with one of the best Australian betting sites also means you won’t miss out on having a flutter either.
Watching at home also brings the chance to get dressed up even without going to Flemington. The obvious benefit of attending a Melbourne Cup party is that there is no official dress code – unless, of course, your host decides you must also meet the same standards required at the course! In which case, the advice above could come in handy all the same.
