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 visitors flocked to Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday for this year’s Melbourne Cup.

Dozens of high-end guests were determined to rock the new ‘it color’ and various shades, with women of all shapes and sizes wearing scarlet hats, ruby ​​red shoes and pink accents.

Red has been a dominant color trend in 2024, having been seen on fashion shows such as Gucci, Burberry and Chanel. Many call it the ‘color of the season’.

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

Red dresses with floral details were extremely popular. Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus looked stunning in the strapless crimson mini dress with floral style ruffles.

Melbourne entrepreneur and influencer Hannah Del Sasso wore a custom Madoh dress, Tony Bianco heels, a Billini bag and accessories from Temelli Jewelery. The striking outfit itself consisted of a corset top and roses on the hip and across the chest.

Stylist Lana Wilkinson put her best foot forward and was also completely trendy with a strapless dress with large bows along the waist.

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

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

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

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

TV icon Sam Armytage also caught the red look memo

BEAUTIFUL IN PINK

Red is not the only color of the moment.

Possibly inspired by Glinda from the upcoming Wicked film, many guests opted for beautiful shades of pink as they strolled along the track.

Designer Rebecca Vallance led the way for this second color trend of the event as she posed with Nicky Hilton. She looked radiant in the pink maxi dress with puff sleeves and bow detail at the front.

DJ Perri Lee looked graceful as she posed for a photo, pairing the strapless tutu-style dress with white heels, a handbag and minimal jewelry.

TV presenter Sylvia Jeffreys, 38, looked glamorous in a stunning pink midi dress with puff sleeves and belt details with buckles around the bodice.

Australian swimmer Alexa Leary turned heads after opting for a layered outfit with ruffles and a matching feather bag.

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

DJ Perri Lee looked graceful and poised as she posed for a photo and paired the strapless tutu-style dress

TV presenter Sylvia Jeffreys (left) and Australian swimmer Alexa Leary (right) were also trendy

PILL BOXES HATS AND BERETS

Wearing a hat to the races? Groundbreaking.

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

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

Jessie Murphy had a similar idea, wearing a red pillbox hat to match her maroon dress.

TV presenter Jacqueline Felgate and radio presenter Lauren Phillips both wore berets to match their outfits. Lauren won double points for checking off two style trends

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

TV presenter Jacqueline Felgate (left) and radio presenter Lauren Phillips (right) both wore berets to match their outfits. Lauren won double points for checking off 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 wore a floral yellow headpiece to match her stunning dress, while Crystal Kimber chose an abstract purple headband.

Model Kate Waterhouse kept her look stylish 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’ charge.

Other popular choices on the day included large bows, but we’ve seen so much of it in recent years that it’s hardly worthy of a ‘trend’ title in 2024.

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Elizabeth Hurley wore a floral yellow headpiece to match her beautiful dress

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

Both Michelle Payne (left) and actress Laura Dundovic (right) wore headbands to keep their hair out of their faces