Best Suited: How to get runway ready
2024 COMPETITION

Best Suited: How to get runway ready

Embrace the elegance and sophistication of the Best Suited competition, where the timeless suit takes center stage. We’re here to guide you through putting together the perfect ensemble for the on-course competition, ensuring you’re set to make a winning impression with the judges!
Fashions on the Field 16 October 2024

It's time to prepare your outfit for the Best Suited Competition!

Here are some tips to increase your chances of catching the judges eye amongst the crowd on-course!

  1. Embrace bold colours or patterns: Don’t be afraid to stand out with striking colors or unique patterns. Just ensure they’re balanced and avoid clashing combinations.
  2. Millinery: A standout hat or fascinator is often the highlight of any racing outfit. Whether classic or modern, make sure it complements your overall look. Millinery is a part of the eligibility criteria so ensure you incorporate this into your ensemble.
  3. Tailoring: A well-tailored suit can make all the difference. Ensure your ensemble fits perfectly for a polished and professional appearance.
  4. Accessories: Incorporate accessories to complement your look. Small touches can elevate your outfit. From a pocket square to polished shoes, ensure every element of your look is considered.
  5. Eligibility Criteria: Be sure to review the entry eligibility, judging criteria, and the definition of the 2024 Best Suited Competition. Don’t overlook any important details to ensure you’re fully eligible!

What's the definition of Best Suited?

For your reference Best Suited is defined as, a set of outer clothes made of the same or coordinated fabric and designed to be worn together, typically consisting of a jacket and trousers or a jacket and skirt, styled to be worn to the 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival. 

To be eligible, your outfit must also showcase millinery and complementary accessories including ties, pocket squares, jewellery, shoes, bag, gloves and more! Borrowing from current fashion trends to reflect your own individual style and of course appropriateness for a race day at the Melbourne Cup Carnival. 

Please note: Jumpsuits and or playsuits will not be considered in this category. 

To be eligible to enter the 2024 Best Suited Competition, you must fulfil and agree to abide by the criteria specified in the Competition Terms and Conditions, which includes (but is not limited to) the following: 

  • Must be 18 years of age or more as at the day of final judging, Thursday 7 November 2024 
  • No items in the outfit are permitted to promote commercially a brand, store or designer 
  • Entrants must not be dressed or styled by a designer or milliner
  • Must not receive any compensation from a third party for participating in this competition
  • Must not be 2023 winner of the Best Dressed or Best Suited Competition
  • Must not enter the 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival Fashions on the Field Millinery Award and/or Emerging Designer Award competitions as a milliner or a designer
  • Must not be a current or previous employee or representative of the promoter
  • Entrants are not permitted to alter or add to their design in any way from the beginning until the end of the competition
  • Physical attendance will be required for the successful Finalists at the Best Suited Grand Final on Thursday 7 November 2024
  • Unless otherwise stated, all prizes awarded to the entrant must remain the property of the entrant and are not transferable, exchangeable or redeemable for cash
  • Eligibility of submitted images is to be determined at the promoter's discretion. For the avoidance of doubt, images from any separate competition will not be accepted.

Our judges consider the following criteria when selecting finalists: 

  • The originality of the outfit - make the outfit your own and show us how your ensemble expresses your personality!
  • The appropriateness of the outfit for the Fashions on the Field Competition and suitability of the outfit for a daytime, race day event – remember you are styling an outfit for a day at the Melbourne Cup Carnival!
  • The understanding and display of style, fashion trends and individuality - use inspiration from current trends to accentuate your own individuality!
  • Use of millinery including hats, fascinators, head bands, tiaras, flower laurels, hair scarves. 
  • Attention to detail, including any accessories: ties, pocket squares, jewellery, bag and shoes.
  • Grooming and deportment - hair, make-up and grooming can tie your entry together. 
  • How the entire outfit is complementary and fits together - make sure all elements of you outfit work together.
  • National Dress will be accepted if the above selection criteria is met. 

FAQS

No, you do not need to be a resident of Australia to enter the competition. The competition is open to international entrants via the digital platform or on course during the 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival. 

By entering the competition, the entrant acknowledges the Terms are governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia.  Each Entrant submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts exercising jurisdiction there in connection with matters concerning these Terms and waives any rights to claim that those courts are an inconvenient forum.

Category Clarification

The combination of jacket and shorts falls under the definition of Best Suited where the jacket and shorts are made of the same or co-ordinated fabric and are designed to be worn together. 

Best Suited: from the Terms and Conditions for the Best Suited Competition “For the purpose of the Competition, Best Suited is defined as a set of outer clothes made of the same or co-ordinated fabric and designed to be worn together, typically consisting of jacket and trousers or a jacket and skirt”) 

Best Dressed. Best Suited typically requires a jacket, per clause 7 of Terms and Conditions for both categories.

Yes, you can enter different outfits in different competitions. However, you cannot enter the same outfit into both Best Dressed and Best Suited in the Digital Competition. It is important to note, you will be judged according to the criteria of competition you enter.

Digital Competition

You can submit up to four outfits in each digital category and compete on-course in one competition per day. However, you can only be a finalist in one competition, per outfit. For example, if you become a finalist in the Best Dressed Digital competition, you will not be eligible to be an entrant in the Best Suited Digital Competition wearing the same outfit.

Yes, you can enter different outfits in different competitions. However, you cannot enter the same outfit into both Best Dressed and Best Suited in the Digital Competition. It is important to note, you will be judged according to the criteria of competition you enter.

We recommend no more than 50 words, and this is optional.

This is up to the discretion of the entrant; however, we see this as an opportunity to highlight the outfit.

On-Course Competition

Details on this will be available ahead of Melbourne Cup Carnival and will be published on our MCC Fashions on the Field website.

For Best Dressed and Best Suited there will be three opportunities during Melbourne Cup Carnival: Penfolds Victoria Derby Day, Lexus Melbourne Cup Day and Crown Oaks Day. 

Full Terms and Conditions can be found here.

GO TO THE BEST SUITED COMPETITION PAGE

The top three Australian finalists and the top international finalist for both Best Dressed and Best Suited will win a trip to Cup Week to compete in the final on Kennedy Oaks Day, Thursday 7 November 2024.