Melbourne Cup Carnival is upon us – here’s what we’re likely to see in the style stakes

We’re not entirely sure how it happened, but the Melbourne Cup Carnival is upon us once again. (Which also means, yes, November is about to kick off.)

The jockeys aren’t the only ones getting ready – as you read this, countless guests will be busily preparing their trackside outfits for events including Derby Day, Stakes Day and, of course, Cup Day on Tuesday.

Last year we saw plenty of bold colours (particularly red) and new spins on race-day headwear, from veils to pillbox hats and hooded gowns.

So, what’s in store for 2026?

Stylist Tara Pokarier tells nine.com.au spring racing fashion is no longer playing it safe, with “personality, colour, craftsmanship and individual styling” coming to the fore this year.

“It’s going to be an exciting year for fashion because we are moving away from those traditional, safe, expected outfits into more of the trend-driven but also reworkable looks,” she says.

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What’s in

The official Victoria Racing Club Spring Trend Report for 2026 highlights some key trends and hero colours likely to reign throughout the week.

“Butter yellow is still doing its thing, [and] sculptural silhouettes, fringe, feathers statement millinery and floral embellishments are the key trends,” Pokarier says.

Another fresh addition to the 2026 Carnival is Fashions on the Field: The Remix.

The inaugural campaign encouraging guests to embrace a ‘rewear, rework, restyle’ ethos.

This will result in fashion “becoming more creative and less dependent on buying an entirely new outfit for each event”, Pokarier says.

Bold colours and ‘brave’ combos

Where colour is concerned, bold shades including fuschia, Yves Klein blue and tomato red will take centre stage alongside the trending butter yellow.

“It’s fresh, it’s sophisticated, but it’s very wearable. It’s the perfect middle ground between traditional spring pastels and something more fashion-forward,” Pokarier says.

Colour combinations will also be a little more out-of-the-box, the David Jones stylist adds, with a particular focus on saturated shades.

Think: cobalt blue with cream, orange with blush pink, pistachio with lemon.

“Everyone will be much braver with colour. It’s not just about choosing a beautiful dress any more, it’s about creating that whole colour story from the outfit through to the millinery and the accessories.”

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Florals, but not as you know them

As Pokarier quips, it’s impossible to see the words ‘florals’ and ‘spring racing’ without immediately thinking, “Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking.”

(Proof The Devil Wears Prada will always be relevant.)

Florals are an eternal race day favourite, but this year, Pokarier says they’re “evolving beyond the printed fabric”.

“I think we’ll see a lot of three-dimensional florals and romantic texture ... oversized rosettes, corsages, feathers, lace organza, all those embellishments.”

Viva la petal power!

Sculptural silhouettes

Of the emerging spring racing trends, Pokarier’s favourite is sculptural silhouettes and “the return of the waist”.

“A really defined waist, structured bodices, sculptural sleeves, off-the-shoulder necklines and just interesting proportions are all worth watching, and I think that will tie in with beautiful millinery,” she says.

“There’s a really strong opportunity to move beyond the predictable fitted cocktail dress, and silhouette will do more of the talking this year. A beautifully-cut dress with an architectural shoulder or a defined waist can have just as much impact as a heavily embellished outfit.”

Pokarier says this will be key on Saturday for Derby Day, the first event of the Carnival, which famously follows a black-and-white dress code.

“You are working within a palette, so the cut of the garment, the fabric and the millinery become even more important,” she explains.

“This is where we’ll see sharp tailoring, sculptural black and white millinery, ivory dresses, monochrome separates, skirts and beautiful tops or a fabulous pantsuit. We will want to see texture and proportions, and a strong hat will make the difference.”

Fashion with movement

Some of the major trends we’ve seen on red carpets this year will also be making a splash during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

“We’ll see sheer layers, fringe, feathers and frothy organza, which add a little bit of drama, particularly when people walk. And there’s a lot of walking that happens on these days,” Pokarier says.

“I think you’ll see that fashion is becoming more dynamic. So you want something that moves, rather than [a look] that only works in a static photograph.”

What’s out

Pokarier predicts a move away from the “expected” – whether it’s trends like polka dots, or types of outfits we’ve seen year after year.

“In the age of social media, people do have an aversion to things we see a lot of,” she says.

“You know, the obligatory little dress and matching fascinator, playing it safe with head-to-toe neutrals and matching every accessory to the exact same shade, and even for men, the ultra-skinny suit. I think we’re done with that.”

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Embellishments “just for embellishment’s sake” are also likely to fade out.

“We don’t need to see an embellished collared dress just for the sake of it. I think we’ll see it in the whole dress, or beautifully printed throughout in a three-dimensional sort of way,” Pokarier says.

Another trend on the out is the one-wear-only mentality, she adds, with The Remix likely to fuel a shift.

“People will tie back into their wardrobe and think, ‘What can I repurpose here?’ or, ‘What can I wear? What layer can I add to this outfit to make it a little bit more intentional?’” Pokarier says.

“We just need to shift towards confident individual dressing.”