The red invasion: Best dressed at the Caulfield Cup

Fashion-focused guests at this year’s Caulfield Cup were encouraged to “back your own style”, which as far as dress codes go is broader than an Australian accent. Fortunately, no one turned up in Stubbies and a singlet or Lululemon yoga pants.

Perhaps as a raised manicured middle finger to The Everest race in Sydney’s “touch of blue” dress code, many racegoers attempted to outshine the sun in punchy reds.

“It’s the colour of the season and fits the mood of the day,” said Caulfield Cup special guest, content creator and model Mary Vitinaros.

Vitinaros took extra steps to stand out in the dress from Oglia-Loro with a scarf. “It’s for the drama,” she said. “Everyone is out to make a statement.”

Mary Vitinaros at the Caulfield Cup in an Oglia-Loro dress and a Kim Fletcher hat.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui

Here are the looks that spoke the loudest.

Demi Brereton: Red suits you

You would expect racing fashion expert Demi Brereton to nail the racewear brief as the daughter of former top jockey Danny and 1998 Melbourne Cup Carnival Fashions on the Field winner Debbie.

Brereton decided to tap two trends at once, bringing masculine tailoring to a red jacket with matching skirt and tie, and a contrasting blue shirt, from Eliya The Label.

Demi Brereton in Eliya The Label at the Caulfield Cup.Credit:

“I wanted to show my masculine and feminine side, and it feels wonderful,” said Demi, completing her look with a fedora from Kim Fletcher.

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While Mum has the fashion pedigree, Demi turned to Dad to help complete the look.

“I have to learn how to tie a tie one day, but yes, Dad did it up for me.”

Ruby Brownless: In the red

Content creator and daughter of AFL legend Billy Brownless, Ruby Brownless left masculine touches to Brereton, swinging fully to the feminine side of the style spectrum in a dress from Meshki.

“It’s pretty clear that red is the colour of the season,” Brownless said. “Let’s call it now. Just look around. It seems to make people pretty happy.”

Ruby Brownless at the Caulfield Cup in a Meshki dress.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui

Brownless completed her look with a pillbox hat from Ezara/J and a clashing (deliberately, of course) burgundy bag from Bottega Veneta.

Olympia Valance: Mint moment

Actor Olympia Valance was more concerned with the corset of her aqua dress from Melbourne dressmaker Shehzarin Batha Couture than letting the red trend pass her by in a ’50s style.

“I can’t breathe in this corset, but this is what we do,” Valance said from beneath her Ezara/J hat. “I just had a sip of champagne. Big mistake. Huge!

“I was just standing beside everyone else in red. I’m happy to stand out.”

There was a touch of the Disney princess about the look, but Valance refused to see it as a Cinderella moment.

“Pocahontas, perhaps?” she said.

Olympia Valance at the Caulfield Cup.Credit:

Emily Gurr: Cowgirl chic

The model-turned-creative director of Beverly Rooftop kept things casual in a vest and matching trousers from Sandro with a sequin detail.

“I normally design my own looks from top to toe, but I wanted to make it more fun,” Gurr said. “You still need tradition, but show up as yourself.”

Emily Gurr in Sandro at the Caulfield Cup.Credit:

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