The Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival 2024 is nearing, and the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) and Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) are packed with races, events, and even parties that will get your heart racing!

From hanging out with friends to experiencing the best cuisine, the VRC and MRC surely offer fun and excitement. But amidst the socialisation and entertainment, you must not forget fashion!

And one essential for this year’s Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival? HEADWEAR!

 

FORD MILLINERY friend Demi Bereton wearing “IZZY” in light pink

You read that right. Hats, headpieces, headbands, fascinators — they’re a must for the races. In fact, racing events are the best time to flaunt your headwear and be a head-turner!

Need help to stay in style for the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival 2024 events? You’re in the right place!

Below is a list of events from both racing clubs, alongside some fabulous headwear suggestions, to get you started. After all, preparation is a must in fashion.

VICTORIA RACING CLUB (VRC)

Founded in 1864, the VRC is world-renowned for its exhilarating celebrations — a great opportunity to showcase your style! It’s home to vibrant racing events in Australia, offering food and wine, entertainment, sport, social interaction and fashion.

VRC Spring Gala

5 September 2024 - Crown Palladium, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank

 

The VRC Spring Gala is the perfect starter for the Melbourne Spring Races, celebrating the arrival of spring and the prestige of Melbourne Cup Carnival. The dress code? Black tie. In simple terms, black tie is a formal dress code which is often used for important social functions. Men are often required to wear a tuxedo with a crisp dress shirt and black bow tie, while women should ideally wear floor length gowns or dresses. “VENUS” (add to cart here), “LONDON” (add to cart here), and “BLACK WIDOW” (add to cart here) are elegant headwear that elevate this simple yet sophisticated dress code.

Makybe Diva Stakes Day

14 September 2024 - Flemington Racecourse

 

The Makybe Diva Stakes Day invites a colourful and fun theme! This racing event is also your chance to show your inner diva through hats or headpieces. Our “BALMAIN” (add to cart here), “LANA” (add to cart here), and “LOVE ME DO” (add to cart here) are some great picks for this occasion. You can pair them with colourful or brightly hued dresses, too!

Spring Classics Preview Day

22 September 2024 - Flemington Racecourse

 

We’re bringing the classics back, baby! This occasion is an exciting prelude to the spring season. You’re gonna love our classic headwear for this event: “IZZY” (add to cart here), “BOY” (add to cart here), and “MONICA” (add to cart here). Whether for adding a pop of colour to your outfits or styling with the same shade or hue, this headpiece, hat, and headband won’t let you down!

TAB Turnbull Stakes Day

5 October 2024 - Flemington Racecourse

 

The TAB Turnbull Stakes Day calls for fun, laid-back, and colourful vibes. “CRUSH” (add to cart here), “ANNIE” (add to cart here), and “JUDE” (add to cart here) are great headwear suggestions for this event! Wear them with colourful or brightly hued dresses to make your style more fun.

Penfolds Victoria Derby Day

2 November 2024 - Flemington Racecourse

 

This occasion is a stylish curtain raiser to a week of world-class racing, food, fashion, and entertainment. We all know that black and white is a classic colour combination, and this racing event amps it up with style. Slay with these headbands and headpiece: “LANA” (add to cart here), “CRUELLA DE VIL” (add to cart here), and “WARHOL” (add to cart here). They’ll make your black and white ensemble extra classy and fab!

Lexus Melbourne Cup Day

5 November 2024 - Flemington Racecourse

 

As they say, this is “The race that stops the nation.” Such a big and bold event deserves big and bold headwear! Go for hats and headpieces worth flaunting: “CARNIVALE” (add to cart here), “POPPY” (add to cart here), and “WILD BILL” (add to cart here). They’ll make you an instant head-turner, especially with outfits that create a statement.

VRC Oaks Club Lunch

6 November 2024 - Crown Palladium, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank

 

 

Here’s a world-class opportunity for dressing up, dancing, and enjoying Australia’s finest cuisine! Its dress code requires attendees to don smart racewear. To achieve a formal yet fashionable look, luxurious embellished headbands are a must. “ARIEL” (add to cart here), “SUNNA” (add to cart here), and “DIANA” (add to cart here) are great picks for you.

VRC Oaks Day

7 November 2024 - Flemington Racecourse

 

Food, fashion, and lots of fun are the stars for VRC Oaks Day! This calls for floral picks to get your style in full bloom. “AKIRA” (add to cart here), “FRIDA” (add to cart here), and “GWEN” (add to cart here) are lovely fascinators and headpieces that are perfect for floral and pastel dresses.

TAB Champions Stakes Day

9 November 2024 - Flemington Racecourse

 

Finally, the champions will be crowned! The TAB Champions Stakes Day offers fun and celebration — and fun headwear will double the enjoyment. Savour this event with “EZRA” (add to cart here), “VITA” (add to cart here), and “MINGO” (add to cart here). These headpieces will glam up your bright outfits!

MELBOURNE RACING CLUB (MRC)

The MRC is home to the Caulfield, Sportsbet Sandown & Mornington Racecourses — they are one of Australia's most vibrant Sporting and Event providers. Countless opportunities await you, so get ready to amp up your style!

Sportsbet Caulfield Guineas Day

12 October 2024 - Caulfield Racecourse

 

First run in 1881, the Caulfield Guineas has been won by some of Australian racing's legends of the turf. Enjoy one of the finest races with our finest straw hats: “SPANGLE” (add to cart here), “MIRANDA” (add to cart here), and “CASSIDY” (add to cart here). They’re functional, stylish, and pair well with almost any outfit.

Caulfield Social

16 October 2024 - Caulfield Racecourse

 

This racing event is a fun day to socialise while being entertained by the races. Also, it’s an opportunity to don fabulous cowboy hats! They provide style and shade, especially since this racing event is out in the open. “TEX” (add to cart here), “ACE” (add to cart here), and “OAKLEY” (add to cart here) are perfect partners for practically any outfit.

Sportsbet Caulfield Cup Day

19 October 2024 - Caulfield Racecourse

 

The Caulfield Cup was first run in 1879. It’s one of the world's great handicap races for staying horses — a major highlight of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. Add a pop of colour with minimalist headbands to highlight your look! “RACHEL” (add to cart here), “MONICA FOIL” (add to cart here), and “QUINN” (add to cart here) are perfect toppers for this event.


We’d love to see you slay with style and your comfort in mind. After all, our mantra is to Wear What You Love! But remember…

Fashion and discipline go hand-in-hand for Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival 2024. If your outfit is deemed inappropriate or unfit for the event, you may be asked to change (or even leave) the premises.

So, while we’re ecstatic to see your unique style and headwear, we also encourage following the dress codes.

To guide you, here’s a list of what not to wear in both racing clubs.

For the VRC, prohibited outfits include:

• Short jumpsuits and playsuits that are above the knee
• Shorts of any kind that are above the knee
• Short suits that are above the knee
• Garments that show the belly button
• Garments with an open back below the waist
• Bralettes and bandeau crop tops
• Denim
• Jeans, jodhpurs, tracksuits, or untailored pants
• Open-neck shirts or shirts with no collar
• Pants tucked into socks or footwear
• Torn or ripped clothing (even if considered ‘designer’ tears)
• Safari suits and tracksuits
• Peaked caps and beanies
• Pullovers or cardigans (without a jacket), rugby tops and football guernseys, even if wearing a tie
• Cravats
• Leggings worn as pants (footless tights acceptable if suitable dress worn over the top)
• Parkas, duffle coats, windbreakers, tracksuit tops, golf and yachting weatherproof jackets, casual or untailored leather jackets, anoraks, and Driza-Bone (oilskin) jackets
• Joggers, sports shoes, track shoes, runners, slippers, dilapidated footwear, gumboots, or thongs

The MRC, on the other hand, have these restrictions for their events:

• Jeans or denim
• Polo shirts
• Cargo shorts
• Sneakers or thongs regardless of brands
• Casual jackets e.g., with zips
• Bare midriffs

For the men, suits, jackets, and ties are required for the Sportsbet Caulfield Guineas and Sportsbet Caulfield Cup.

Ready for Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival 2024? We bet you are now!