The unexpected Melbourne Cup fashion trend turning heads in 2024 – as the must-know style ‘musts’ for the season are revealed

‘Red’ was the word on everyone’s lips as more than 90,000 fashionable attendees flocked to Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday for this year’s Melbourne cup.

Dozens of high-end guests were set on rocking the new ‘it colour’ and varying shades, with women of all shapes and sizes donning scarlet hats, ruby shoes and pops of rose.

Red has been a dominant colour trend throughout 2024 after being seen on high fashion runways including Gucci, Burberry and Chanel. Many have branded it the ‘colour of the season’. 

Racing enthusiast Viera Macikova lead the trend in a scarlet suit with a matching hat and heart-shaped bag. Meanwhile model Olivia Molly Rogers, 32, wore a bright red strapless long-sleeved maxi dress with a clutch and pointed slingback heels.

Red dresses with floral detailing were hugely popular. Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus looked beautiful in the strapless crimson mini dress with floral-style ruffles. 

Melbourne entrepreneur and influencer Hannah Del Sasso wore a custom made Madoh gown, Tony Bianco heels, a Billini bag, and accessories from Temelli Jewellery. The eye-catching outfit itself featured a corset top and roses on the hip and across the chest. 

Stylist Lana Wilkinson put her best foot forward and was also on trend donning a strapless gown with large bows along the waist.

Influencer Tayla Broad kept it sleek by pairing her red frock with black accessories – a classic combination – and to stand out amongst the crowd, she wore black gloves. 

Racing enthusiast Viera Macikova lead the trend in a scarlet suit with a matching hat and heart-shaped bag

Melbourne-based entrepreneur and influencer Hannah Del Sasso pictured

Meanwhile model Olivia Molly Rogers, 32, wore a bright red strapless long-sleeved maxi dress with a clutch and pointed slingback heels

Seeing double! Hannah Del Sasso (left) and model Olivia Molly Rogers (right) almost looked like twins wearing midi red dresses, red heels and hats 

Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus looked beautiful in the strapless crimson mini dress

Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus looked beautiful in the strapless crimson mini dress

Stylist Lana Wilkinson put her best foot forward and was also on trend donning a strapless gown with bow details along the waist.

Influencer Tayla Broad kept it sleek by pairing her red frock with black accessories – a classic combination – and to stand out amongst the crowd, she wore black gloves

Stylist Lana Wilkinson put her best foot forward and was also on trend donning a strapless gown with bow details along the waist. Influencer Tayla Broad kept it sleek by pairing her red frock with black accessories – a classic combination 

TV icon Sam Armytage also caught the red look memo

TV icon Sam Armytage also caught the red look memo  

PRETTY IN PINK  

Red isn’t the only colour of the moment.  

Possibly inspired by Glinda from the upcoming Wicked film, many guests opted for gorgeous hues of pink as they swanned around trackside.

Designer Rebecca Vallance lead the way for this second colour trend of the event as she posed with Nicky Hilton. She looked radiant in the pink maxi dress with puffed sleeves and tie-up detail at the front.

DJ Perri Lee looked graceful as she posed for a photo and paired the strapless tutu-like frock with white heels, a handbag and minimal jewellery. 

TV presenter Sylvia Jeffreys, 38, looked glamorous in a stunning pink midi dress which featured puffed sleeves and buckled belt detailing around the bodice. 

Aussie swimmer Alexa Leary turned heads after opting for a layered ruffle outfit and matching feather bag. 

Rebecca Vallance (right) lead the way for this second trend of the event as she posed with Nicky Hilton

Rebecca Vallance (right) lead the way for this second trend of the event as she posed with Nicky Hilton

DJ Perri Lee looked graceful and poise as she posed for a photo and paired the strapless tutu-like frock

She paired the look with white heels, a handbag and minimal jewellery

DJ Perri Lee looked graceful and poise as she posed for a photo and paired the strapless tutu-like frock

TV presenter Sylvia Jeffreys, 38, looked glamorous in a stunning pink midi dress which featured puffed sleeves and buckled belt detailing around the bodice.

Aussie swimmer Alexa Leary opted for a layered ruffle outfit and matching feather bag

TV presenter Sylvia Jeffreys (left) and Aussie swimmer Alexa Leary (right) were also on trend

PILLBOX HATS AND BERETS 

Wearing a hat to the races? Groundbreaking. 

Instead, several guests opted for alternative fun and playful headwear options, such as pillbox hats berets. 

Nicky Hilton, Paris Hilton’s younger sister, arrived in style wearing a yellow strapless dress with a pleated skirt, silver heels and a pillbox hat. 

Jessie Murphy had a similar idea and wore a red pillbox hat to match her maroon dress. 

TV presenter Jacqueline Felgate and radio host Lauren Phillips both wore berets suited to their outfits. Lauren won double points for ticking the boxes across two style trends 

Nicky Hilton, Paris Hilton's younger sister, arrived in style wearing a yellow strapless dress with a pleated skirt, silver heels and a pillbox hat

Jessie Murphy had a similar idea and wore a red pillbox hat to match her maroon dress

Nicky Hilton (left), Paris Hilton’s younger sister, arrived in style wearing a yellow strapless dress with a pleated skirt, silver heels and a pillbox hat. Jessie Murphy (right) had a similar idea and wore a red pillbox hat to match her maroon dress

TV presenter Jacqueline Felgate (pictured) and radio host Lauren Phillips both wore berets suited to their outfits.

Lauren (pictured) won double points for ticking the boxes across two style trends

TV presenter Jacqueline Felgate (left) and radio host Lauren Phillips (right) both wore berets suited to their outfits. Lauren won double points for ticking the boxes across two style trends 

EVERYTHING BUT A HAT 

Some opted for creative yet stylish hair accessories while others rocked fun scarves, enormous headbands and sky-high floral creations. 

Elizabeth Hurley donned a floral yellow headpiece to match her gorgeous gown while Crystal Kimber chose an abstract purple headband. 

Model Kate Waterhouse kept her look classy by wearing a bright red headscarf to match her dress and lipstick. 

Both Michelle Payne and actress Laura Dundovic wore headbands – but just large enough to detract from the ‘practical choice’ accusation.

Other popular choices on the day were large bows – however, we’ve seen that so often over the past few years it’s hardly worthy of a ‘trend’ title in 2024.

Happy shopping! 

Elizabeth Hurley donned a floral yellow headpiece to match her gorgeous gown

Elizabeth Hurley donned a floral yellow headpiece to match her gorgeous gown

Crystal Kimber chose an abstract purple headband

Model Kate Waterhouse kept her look classy by wearing a bright red headscarf to match her dress and lipstick

Crystal Kimber (left) chose an abstract purple headband. Model Kate Waterhouse (right) kept her look classy by wearing a bright red headscarf to match her dress and lipstick

Michelle Payne ticked the box for a microtrend by wearing a headband

Laura Dundovic wore a simple headband to keep her hair away from her face

Both Michelle Payne (left) and actress Laura Dundovic (right) wore headbands to keep their hair away from their face

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