Best Suited: Submission Guide

It's time to prepare your 2024 Best Suited Entry!

Here are some tips to increase your chances of catching the judges eye!

1. Plan out what you would like to highlight about your outfit and what you are going to say in your submission form. Stories and personal touches are a great way to stand out amongst the crowd!
2. Well-executed photos that are clear and showcase all aspects of your outfit - check out the photo submission guide below to see our recommendation.
3. Ensure you have read the definition, entry eligibility and judging criteria for the 2024 Best Suited Competition - you can find all this information below. Don't miss a critical detail to ensure you are eligible!

Photo submission guide

The submission form asks for three portrait photos. We recommend the following: 

1. Medium / close up to show the main details of your outfit
2. Full length photo to encompass the entire outfit, leave some clear space around the border to ensure you don't cut off your millinery or shoes
3. Additional close up, focusing on your accessories, shoes and the more minute details

Use the below examples as a creative guide to demonstrate the do's and don'ts when taking your entry photos.

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. 

What is the entry eligibility for Best Suited?

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.

How do the judges decide who is a finalist?

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. 

Full Terms and Conditions to be announced.

GO TO THE BEST SUITED COMPETITION PAGE