SPRING RACING
What To Wear to Stakes Day
The who’s who of domestic and international relevance will descend upon Flemington Racecourse in their finest getups for one week only, with Stakes Day marking the final raceday of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. While less formal in nature—often considered a day for families—Stakes Day still keeps the fashion stakes high.
Expect to see softer tailoring, lightweight fabrics, and a healthy dose of colour as key elements for nailing the dress code brief. The vibe is relaxed yet refined, with an emphasis on comfort without compromising style.
Here’s a quick mens race day outfit guide for Stakes Day ahead of this year’s Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.
The Suit
- Stakes Day carries a far more relaxed energy than its predecessors, embracing a smart-casual dress code. That said, most precincts within Flemington Racecourse still require a suit, shirt, and tie combination for entry.
- To match the laid-back nature of the day, opt for a relaxed, deconstructed suit in lightweight summer fabrics such as linen, seersucker, or crepe cotton. These fabrics not only look great dressed up or down, but also strike the perfect balance between comfort and style—ideal for Stakes Day.
- Teaming separates is another excellent option. For example, pair a navy linen suit jacket with beige tailored trousers for a look that feels polished yet effortless.
The Shirt
- Ditch the formal Oxford and instead choose a lightweight cotton shirt with a cutaway or button-down collar. Subtle stripes can work beautifully, especially when paired with a linen suit in tan, beige, green, or pastel blue.
The Accessories
- As with any race day, keep accessories simple—less is always more. You’ll still need a tie, but Stakes Day is your chance to experiment with a touch of pattern or colour. A bolder tie can inject personality into your look, but remember: if you go loud with the tie, keep the suit and shirt relatively understated to maintain balance.