Melbourne Cup – a chance to get dressed up, socialise, feast on long lunches and boogie your buns off all with a side of horse racing. But picking that perfect Cup Day outfit isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Enter James St’s inaugural Melbourne Cup Style Guide. Here to help you look and feel your best, read on for all kinds of outfit inspo.

Playful Prints:
Nothing encapsulates Spring Racing quite like a playful print. Samantha Ogilvie’s range of beloved Australian designer Alémais offer an original take on the printed dress with sequin fruit motifs and hand embroidered patchwork with soft sunset hues of purple. For romantic silhouettes and sophisticated prints, it’s a sure bet with Zimmermann’s Spring 2025 ready-to-wear collection.

Simple Measures:
Looking for something a little more paired back? Bec + Bridge have launched their collection of silky-smooth event dresses in sky blue, delicious lemon yellow, and rich chocolatey brown just in the nick of time. Alternatively, give a nod to menswear tailoring and opt for a more structured look with Elka Collective’s  Marbella blazer and pant set or for the warmer weather the Ira vest and short set. Perhaps striking the perfect balance between two is the Ferreira top and pant set from Sass & Bide. Adorned with matte ivory sequins, this matching set combines clean lines with the perfect amount of detailing to spark intrigue.

Shine Bright:
As those in the know are already aware, it’s all about embellishment this season. Look no further than Désordre’s collection of Asta Resort pieces for a healthy dose of 90s-esque fringe mini dresses with the Natalia Azalea in pink metallic knit and the Yasmin in chartreuse. For those who can’t decide between embellishment or print, CAMILLA says why not do both with their Egyptian Rose collection, complete with signature embellished crystals.

His and Hers:
A stop into P. Johnson will have you looking like the perfect pair by way of exquisite tailoring and elegant silhouettes with precise attention to detail. A new resident to James St, Mitchell Ogilvie will cater to discerning men of all ages with tailoring, shoes and accessories from international labels and their in-house collection. Calexico is your one-stop-destination this racing season. Can’t make it in store? The team have you covered. Get race day ready with the ‘Spring Racing Edit’ where you will find floral prints, exquisite fascinators and the perfect heels to match. And for him? Explore the latest arrivals from leading international designers at Calexico Man and curate the perfect capsule wardrobe for the carnival – right at your doorstep!