High Stakes Style Left: Wynn Hamlyn dress. Gucci belt, worn as headband. Saint Laurent earrings and cuff. Right: Gucci jacket, scarf, necklace and bag. Leo Lin pants. Anna Rossi Jewellery earrings.

High Stakes Style

Celebrate Carnival fashion with our definitive guide to fresh, new-season styling. From bold red hues to festive florals, and just the right amount of sparkle, everything you need to elevate your spring racing wardrobe is right here.

Published in Partnership with Vogue Australia 18 October 2024

Channel the effortless elegance of the 70s with dreamy dresses and tailored jackets in a style ideal for Stakes Day. Pay homage to the romantic, folksy vibe of the time with accessories in muted tones, like apple green, subtle gold and earthy brown.

Make an instant impression on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day in an avant-garde silhouette in a single, bold colour – nothing says confidence like crimson red. Pair it with a mid-height or kitten heel, and an understated barrette for the perfect combination.

Leo Lin dress. Swarovski earrings. Charles & Keith shoes.

Sandro top and skirt. Abigail Fergusson Millinery hat. Swarovski earrings and bracelet. Studio Amelia bag and shoes.

Left: Scanlan Theodore top and skirt. Millinery Jill beret. Swarovski earrings. Mulberry bag. Jimmy Choo shoes. Right: Acler dress. Abigail Fergusson Millinery headpiece. Mulberry necklace. Gucci belt. Saint Laurent shoes.

Put a contemporary twist on race-day fashion by choosing separates that redefine elegance. A larger-than-life skirt in sophisticated navy is modernised with soft blue accents, creating a chic, on-trend statement.

This season, floor-length styles in an A-line shape are a must-have. Create shape with a sleek belt or fitted skirt for a flattering finish and complete the look with sculptural headwear to add just the right amount of drama.

Highlight your feminine side for TAB Champions Stakes Day by embracing earthy tones in oversized silk pieces or layered, floaty styles. Opt for accessories featuring natural fibres – like handbags in wicker and rope, or headpieces made of woven leather – to elevate your look.

Left: Esse blazer and skirt. Ford Millinery headband. Swarovski earrings and necklace. Roger Vivier bag. Right: Aje dress. Ford Millinery headband. Rabanne earrings. Jasmine Sparrow ring. Anna Rossi Jewellery ring.

Maticevski dress. Scanlan Theodore fascinator. Swarovski cuff. Gucci shoes.

Leo Lin dress. Abigail Fergusson Millinery hat. Swarovski earrings and ring. Roger Vivier shoes.

Take centre stage at Fashions on the Field and celebrate the glamour that is the Lexus Melbourne Cup. A floor-length gown adorned with sparkling embellishment is a fashion-forward choice that brings
a sense of occasion to the event. Opt for minimal, elegant accessories to balance your ensemble.

Another winning combination ideal to wear on Crown Oaks Day is the soft, feminine silhouette of a pleated dress. Lean into the pleated trend with a floaty style that highlights this season’s cinched-waist tailoring. For added fashion points, pair a pleated piece with an abstract print in a pinkish hue and weave the colour through your accessories.

For the very finest in Penfolds Victoria Derby Day dressing, opt for a sculptural dress or pants-suit in a monochromatic palette. Stick with the dress code for the day – black and white is a must – and combine the two for a look that is all about sophistication. Go for cute, shape-focused accessories, like pointed heels, an extra- long bow or textured clutch.

Left: Maticevski dress. Somewhere Here fascinator. F+H Studios earrings. Roger Vivier shoes. Right: Carla Zampatti top and pants. Stephanie Spencer bow. Jasmin Sparrow earrings. Swarovski ring. Roger Vivier bag. Maje shoes

Want to read more?

Find this article and more fashion content in our 2024 Carnival Magazine!