Cup Day Style Edit: What to Wear to the Races

Melbourne Cup Day is Tuesday 3 November, a public holiday across most of Victoria. Whether you are heading trackside, to a garden party or a long lunch, the brief is the same: dress up, plan for changeable spring weather and wear shoes you can stand in all day.

A floral or structured dress is the classic race-day choice. A slip dress or a shirt dress dresses up well with a blazer and heels. Choose a length and fabric you can sit, stand and walk in for several hours.

Melbourne in early November can swing from warm sun to a cold change in an afternoon. A tailored blazer covers both, and it looks deliberate rather than like an afterthought.

Thin stilettos sink into grass. Lower or wider heels, pumps and Mary Janes are easier to wear on a lawn all day. Wear new shoes in at home first, and keep a pair of flats in your bag for the trip home.

A small crossbody or wristlet keeps your hands free and holds a phone, card and lip colour. Gold or silver hoops finish an outfit without competing with a headpiece, and sunglasses earn their place on an outdoor afternoon.

A suit or blazer with a tie is the safe race-day standard. Slim chinos with a tie and leather derbies suit a smart-casual garden party. Check any venue or enclosure dress code before you go, as some areas are stricter than others.

Heel grips stop shoes slipping, and sunscreen matters even on an overcast spring day. Bring water too, and plan your trip home before the day starts.