The best and worst looks of the 2025 season
Demi Brereton in Forever New outside the Mumm tent on Oaks Day.Credit: Justin McManus
Sylvia Jeffreys at Rebecca Vallance on Oaks Day.Credit: Justin McManus
Sarah Stephens and Nonny Naitanui at Aje in the Melbourne Cup.Credit: EddieJim
On Cup Day, models Sarah Stephens and Nonny Naitanui also followed Coco Chanel’s advice and pulled something off as they emerged from their dressing rooms wearing Aje’s spring dresses.
Nine presenter Sylvia Jeffreys offered a more elevated take on the pared-down formula with her sleek and understated Rebecca Vallance dresses for each race day.
What’s out there: Runaway brides
For many Melbourne couples, the first tentative steps towards the long walk down the aisle were taken after brushing shoulders (and more) at Flemington Racecourse. This year, some women (some with rings on their fingers) were keen to take that message home with fancy wedding-appropriate dresses.
Rebecca Judd in impeccably tailored white J’Aton Couture on Derby Day.Credit: Getty Images
Melbourne Cup winning jockey Michelle Payne aboard Vivienna Lorikeet.Credit: PENNY STEPHENS
Without a squadron of fussy bridesmaids, white lace creations risked spilling over into the frenzied crowd of caviar, champagne, beer and buckets of hot chips.
Derby Day’s white code makes it easier to wear a wedding dress, but next year, resist the temptation of couture creations by saying “I don’t.”
What’s inside: Blokes Day
The men finally got in touch with their fashion sensations at Flemington Racecourse.
The oddball Bucks’ party suits have mostly been replaced by attire with an eye for detail, including statement ties, matching purses, and hats that range from buckets to pencil-brimmed hats that put green TAB caps to shame.
Joshua Kempen takes off his tie, but Emporio Armani keeps his tie in the same tone.Credit: Justin McManus
Sydney stylist Donny Galella at Oaks Day.Credit: PENNY STEPHENS
Kris Smith in her Boss outfit and Serena Lindeman hat on Cup Day.Credit: EddieJim
Model-turned-musician Joshua Kempen from the band Pamela and his model friend Sarah Ellen summarized the new approach.
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“I feel comfortable,” Kempen said after stuffing his tie into his pocket and unbuttoning his Emporio Armani shirt. “I love expressing myself through fashion.”
What’s on: The Clone Wars
It’s no longer enough to wear the unofficial uniform of private school boys whose blazers don’t fit. A plain dark suit, RM Williams boots, white or pale blue shirt and striped tie (modern mullet optional) no longer suits him.
Fashion luck favors the bold, so avoid the cowardly lion, ditch the crop and add some personal touches, a pocket square, patterned tie or straw fedora. And please stop telling people what school you went to in the first five minutes of the conversation.
A sea of young men waiting to keep up with the fashion at Flemington Racecourse on Cup Day.Credit: Getty Images
Friends Luke, Simon and Scott ignore the hype and choose fun over fashion and dress up for the Melbourne Cup.Credit: Justin McManus
It almost makes you wish these were more than just party dresses for the money. Almost.
What’s in it: Tone dressing
While the Melbourne Cup is usually a festive occasion, this year’s carnival saw fashion mostly fall flat. We blame the wet weather and gray skies; Here bold red outfits appeared and could not handle the heat.
Melbourne content creator and podcaster Rozalia Russian at Oaks Day at J’Aton Couture.Credit: Justin McManus
Model Jordan Simek in Forever New at the Melbourne Cup.Credit: Simon Schluter
Light pastel and nude colors soothed the eyes, allowing details from tailors such as Steven Khalil, J’Aton Couture and Mariam Seddiq to stand out.
Bright, bold pops of color made jockeys feel more comfortable.
What’s in it: Loud prints
Once a Spring Carnival staple, big and bold floral prints can be used on compost. Anything that resembled the 2023 TikTok Tomato Girl Summer trend seemed overripe and in that weird place between last season and vintage.
Loud florals were perfect for dancing in the Mumm tent, but they were out of sync with the season’s trends.Credit: PENNY STEPHENS
Lana Wilkinson’s soft floral prints were in line with international fashion weeks. Bridal specialist Maelle’s dress threatened to rise to the top but held its own on Oaks Day.Credit: PENNY STEPHENS
Pale florals reminiscent of Sandy Liang’s New York Fashion Week show or Chloe’s energetic ’80s florals from Paris Fashion Week are your best bet if you’re already training for the next Spring Carnival.
Honorable mentions: This year was a standout for hat manufacturers; fascinators and headbands nearly outnumbered wide-brimmed hats. Statement scarves were welcome additions to the 2025 lineup.
Dishonorable words: There were plenty of low-cut evening dresses worth seeing before noon. Follow the advice of transvestites and save directional dresses and makeup for the moonlight.
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