OAKS DAY STYLE: THE PASTEL TRENDS TO WEAR AS A $20,000 GOLD BAR GOES UP FOR GRABS
Get your hat ready, because Oaks Day is tomorrow, and it's the most fashion-focused day of Melbourne's spring calendar.
On Thursday 5 November, Flemington will host the Grand Final of the Victoria Racing Club's Fashions on the Field competition, and the prizes are seriously glamorous.
Whether you're heading trackside or simply love a style moment, here's everything you need to know.
Why Oaks Day Is The Big Fashion Final
Fashions on the Field has been running across the spring season, with heats held on Turnbull Stakes Day in October, then on Derby Day and Melbourne Cup Day.
Finalists from each of those days now return to compete in the Best Dressed and Best Suited Grand Finals tomorrow.
According to the Victoria Racing Club, registrations open at 11.30am, with promenades from 12.40pm.
The Best Suited Grand Final is scheduled for 3.35pm, followed by the Best Dressed Grand Final at 4.05pm.
The Prize Is Worth Dressing Up For
The Best Dressed winner will take home a prize pack led by a 50-gram gold bar valued at $20,000 at the time the prizes were published.
It also includes a $10,000 travel voucher and a day in the Royal Enclosure at Royal Ascot 2027 for two people.
The runner-up and second runner-up also receive generous packages, including gift cards, a TV and a Yarra Valley winery experience.
The VRC says the award recognises "exceptional style, attention to detail" and a thoughtful approach to race day dressing.
What To Wear On Oaks Day
Oaks Day has traditionally been the softer, prettier sister to the black and white of Derby Day.
Style guide What to Wear points to soft pastels such as blush, lilac, powder blue and butter yellow as this year's favourites.
Fresh neutrals including ivory, sage and stone are also a chic option if pastels aren't really you.
The pink rose is the official flower of the day, but wearing pink isn't compulsory.
A small floral detail or a pink accessory is an easy nod to tradition.
The Biggest Trends For 2026
Tonal dressing is having a real moment, with one shade worn from hat to shoe.
Lace, hand-finished detail, cream opera gloves and pearls are among the key accessories, according to What to Wear.
Matching separates, such as a corset-style top with a skirt, offer a fresh alternative to a dress.
A sharply tailored pantsuit is also a stylish choice, and Fashions on the Field now has a Best Suited category for exactly this kind of look.
If you'd rather recycle than buy new, look out for The Remix on Saturday, a category celebrating vintage finds, rental pieces and reworked outfits.
Practical Tips For A Comfortable Day
Hats are optional for general admission, but they finish an outfit beautifully.
Keep your headpiece in proportion: if you choose a large brim, simplify the rest of your look.
Secure your hat with an elastic or comb, as Melbourne's spring breezes can be unforgiving.
Footwear matters too, because you'll spend most of the day on grass.
Block heels, dressy wedges, elegant flats and low slingbacks are far kinder than narrow stilettos, and heel protectors can help.
Break in new shoes before the day, and pop a pair of foldable flats in your bag.
Melbourne's November weather can change quickly, so pack a tailored blazer or wrap that works with your outfit, along with sunglasses and sunscreen.
If you're heading to the Members Enclosure, check the formal dress rules first, as short playsuits and above-the-knee shorts aren't permitted.
And don't feel you need to buy a whole new outfit, as restyling a favourite dress with new accessories works wonders.
Most importantly, wear something that makes you feel fabulous, because confidence is always the best accessory.
