The Melbourne Cup is the race that stops the nation, but it’s as much about fashion as it is about the horses. Each year, the first Tuesday in November marks a stylish celebration where colour, style and personality take centre stage. And it’s not just women who get to have all the sartorial fun.
For the gents, spring racing season is a time to experiment with colour, texture and pattern — which we don’t always get to celebrate when styling for the boardroom or a wedding. It’s one of the reasons we enjoy styling our customers up for the races!
At Rundle Tailoring, we love helping customers find the perfect balance between relaxed sophistication and personality for their race day outfit. This year, we had customers come in from across Newcastle and beyond looking for everything from complete Melbourne Cup fashion moments to stylish finishing from brands like James Harper and Otaa.
Cup Day at Crystalbrook Kingsley
Andrew and Bronwyn celebrated Melbourne Cup in style at Roundhouse at Crystalbrook Kingsley, overlooking Newcastle city and harbour. The afternoon was filled with incredible hospitality, delicious food and a sea of impeccably dressed guests — all hoping to be noticed by the scouts selecting the Fashions on the Field finalists.
The competition was fierce, but Rundle Tailoring had the honour of joining forces with Taya from Goldies Dress Hire to judge the event, awarding Best Dressed Female, Best Dressed Male and Best Millinery to some very deserving winners.
Below, we’re sharing a closer look at some of the standout looks from this year’s Melbourne Cup celebrations, all styled by our team at Rundle Tailoring.
Bronwyn’s Boho-Luxe Moment
Bronwyn embraced modern tailoring in a three-piece peacock blue wool Made-to-Measure suit, featuring a double-breasted jacket with gold buttons, patch pockets and a wide peak lapel. The pants featured side adjusters and a fine pinstitch down the front, finished with initial embroidery inside for a personal touch. She paired her suit with an Alemais Clemenza scarf woven through her plait — a glamorous nod to the boho-luxe trend dominating this year’s spring racing style — along with Lovisa earrings, Bared shoes, and expert glam by Ryan Baldwin-McGowan from Ryans The Space and Jamie Lee Weir.
Andrew’s Textured Monochrome
Andrew’s look was all about texture and tone. He wore a two-piece Made-to-Measure suit crafted in a wool-silk-linen blend with a chocolate brown windowpane check. The standout pattern of the season, it’s an elegant way to incorporate pattern without compromising sophistication. A camel-coloured double-breasted vest added warmth and contrast, while his James Harper pocket square and Otaa wide tie completed the look with polish.
Rich Goes For A Perfect Match
Rich Calder-Dawson needed to coordinate his look with his partner’s outfit, and when we heard that his wife, Taya (owner of Goldie’s Dress Hire and our fellow Fashions on the Field judge at Crystalbrook), was wearing a soft butter yellow look, we knew just what to do. We chose to dress Rich is a lighter palette that would suit Taya’s own dress. He wore a Joe Black jacket with Cambridge chinos and a butter-yellow Otaa tie and pocket square. From subtle colour matching to complementary styling details, coordinating your look with your partner’s outfit is something we specialise in at Rundle Tailoring, whether it’s for spring racing, weddings or other big occasions.
Josh Tries Colour Blocking
We had the pleasure of suiting up the guys from Crystalbrook Kingsley, and Josh kept things refined in a chocolate brown Made-to-Measure suit, styled with a Cambridge chocolate linen shirt and Otaa tie. His tonal look was finished with a brown pocket square and Calmino loafers, proving that head-to-toe brown can look both sleek and contemporary. Chocolate brown has become a modern alternative to traditional navy and grey suits and is equally as versatile when worn in the colour block style or paired back with lighter neutrals.
Marius Goes Bold In Orange
If there’s one colour that’s turned heads this season, it’s orange. Marius from Crystalbrook wore a Joe Black Alessio orange suit with a crisp white Brooksfield shirt, Alvajee tie, and tan Ferracini shoes. The suit’s bold hue has been such a standout that our own store window display featuring an orange suit has stopped passers-by in their tracks (we’ve even had people calling in just to ask about it!) An orange suit makes an unforgettable statement for spring racing, and is perfect for the confident dresser who isn’t afraid to have a little fun at the races.
Liam’s Twist on Traditional
Liam from Crystalbrook opted for a more traditional spring racing look, wearing an Uberstone Cyril blue check suit layered with a Gibson navy vest and Hardy Amies pink shirt. He finished the ensemble with a floral James Harper tie and copper Otaa tie bar. The result? A smart yet spirited combination that captures the essence of spring racing style — sharp tailoring with a dash of flair.
Darren Shearer Dresses With Elegance
Winner of Best Dressed Male at Crystalbrook Kingsley’s Cup Lunch, Darren Shearer impressed in a neutral linen Daniel Hechter suit styled with a floral James Harper tie. It was a timeless, elegant combination that stood out for all the right reasons. A neutral-coloured linen suit is a wonderfully versatile choice that can carry you through the entire spring racing season with ease, as it can be styled so many different ways according to the race day dress code.
Nell Dark-Jones’ Sophisticated Style
Our fabulous Made-to-Measure customer, local wedding celebrant Nell Dark-Jones, chose to wear her Stella suit, our chic black Made-to-Measure dinner suit which has been customised and tailored just for her. She wore it with her black Made-to-Measure shirt, and adding a sophisticated black tie and crystal brooch to finish. It was bold and refined look that proves classic tailoring transcends gender and trend.
Learn more about our women’s Made-to-Measure experience.
Ryan Baldwin-McGowan Nails Relaxed Polish
Ryan Baldwin-McGowan from hair salon Ryan’s The Space made a statement in a chocolate brown Made-to-Measure suit, colour blocked with a matching shirt, belt and shoes for big impact. By opting to leave the tie at home and finishing his outfit with a sleek pair of aviators, Ryan’s spring racing style was totally on point. It proves that you can achieve that relaxed but polished aesthetic, especially if you feel like the formality of a tie and pocket square isn’t for you, by keeping your outfit monochromatic.
The Spring Racing Specialists
The Melbourne Cup may have wrapped up, but spring racing season is far from over. With more race days on the calendar in both Sydney and Newcastle, there’s still plenty of opportunity to dress your best and celebrate in style.
Whether you’re attending the races, a spring wedding, or a summer event, our team of expert tailors and stylists can help you create a look that fits flawlessly and reflects your personality. From Made-to-Measure suits to ready-to-wear and accessories, we’re the spring racing specialists.
📍 Make an appointment to visit us in-store at Rundle Tailoring to find your next statement look.