Melbourne Cup Fashion

It is coming to that time of year again,when the world (or at least Australia) stops to watch the the Melbourne Cup.

This will involve many a crazy hat and little spring dress being paraded through the city and at any available race course.

A pity I don't live in Melbourne, as then I would have a day off to celebrate!

Last year I even brought a fascinator, which was a hideous thing I had to attach to my head for a party. Never again! Unless I go to the actual races.

Anyhoo thought I would share some Spring dresses and fascinating fascinators :)

 Some crazy explosion of purple on her head :)

Now this is scary, the chick on the left is so tanned that her teeth are the only thing standing out on her face, and the chick on the right, well....I feel sorry for the animal she had to skin for that dress

 Simple and pretty

 I actually really like this hat, kinda oriental. The birds are cute

I had to put in this pic, this girl looks amazing! The bright colours against her skin tone, beautiful

What look do you go for?? Sleek and sophisticated, or scary and skanky?

 Nothing says class like a mullet dress

Melbourne Cup fashion highlight

I enjoyed watching all the fabulous and stylish ladies at the Melburne Cup today. I loved this colourful pom-pom fascinator which reminded me of Sonia Rykiel's pompom head piece, love those great neck details too!

What a show-stopper! This fascinator is a piece of art!

Jennifer Hawkins and Rebecca Judd both looking fabulous as always!

This is my favourite fascinator, so glamorous!

Designers from Sass and Bide are also looking oh-so stylish!

J Alexander was there too, although his outfit looks like his daily look!

I think the worst dressed was Brynne Edelsten... Hmm, her dress looked like my mom's swinsuit in the 70's? It was indeed an exiting day watching the racing although we lost our bet.

Melbourne Cup Fashion

It is the race that stops a nation - the horse race AND the race to be the best dressed fashionista on the field.

The Melbourne Cup has traditionally been an “urban fashion parade”. It is an event where attendees arrive decked out in their most fashionable (and sometimes outrageously so) clothes. Top-of-the-range designer dresses and suits, exotic costumes, thousand-dollar hats and fascinators, diamond-encrusted stilettos... From celebrities to your next door neighbour, everyone is dressed to be noticed.

The first Melbourne Cup race was held in 1861. In its early days, the annual races were the very few places where upper-class society and the lower ranks met and socialised. The first Fashions on the Field competition was started more than forty years ago, as a publicity tool to attract more females to the racetracks. The races have now evolved to a full-fledged fashion fiesta, with international celebrities attending to judge the Fashions on the Field competitions.

The competitions are hotly contested every year – and it’s no surprise why. This year’s grand prize is a SAAB Convertible for a year, and two return trips to Dubai, flying Business Class with Emirates Airlines. The Melbourne Cup indeed involves much more than just a simple horse race.

To keep up with the culture of dressing to be seen, most racegoers have their clothing tailor-made. Australia boasts a range of tailors and seamstresses who specialise in racewear.

The Melbourne Cup Day Design Award – which honours the most outstanding racewear design – is a highly competitive and exclusive affair. It is an invitation-only event, and judging criteria include originality of style, matching of accessories, and appropriateness of the outfit to the weather, individual, and trends.

d’Italia has been a key partner to many Melbourne Cup fashionistas over the years. We have been providing Australian racegoers and award-winning seamstresses with high-quality, exclusive fabric for the creation of eye-catching Cup dresses.

The store currently offers an extensive range of designer fabric for racewear, from bright, bold prints to sleek, toned-down silk. A dressmaker referral service is also available for racegoers who have not found their own seamstress or tailor.