Best dressed: Melbourne Cup’s top fashion prize opens to all genders

“Fashion is what makes racing different,” Nolan says. “I would be heartbroken if they had relaxed the dress standards overall rather than opening them up to more people. If that had been the case the focus would just shift to gambling. Now it can be a vehicle for even greater creativity.”

Author Jess Ho buys their suits from E Nolan and identifies as non-binary. They welcome the VRC’s shift towards greater inclusivity.

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“Obviously, the world has changed and the way that people dress has changed,” Ho says. “Wearing a suit allows me to feel more dynamic. There’s also the advantage over a dress of having pockets. The people who used to enter in suits will now have to step their game up.”

Horses will remain unconcerned with the changes, but Wilson is careful not to scare members of the VRC. Dress codes for members’ areas requiring men to wear tailored trousers, a jacket, tie and dress shoes remain, for the time being.

“It would be interesting to not take a broader view,” Wilson says. “Over time that will evolve. We will work with members as we bring this change in.”

Altering the Fashions on the Field categories was made easier for Wilson by the competition’s existing terms and conditions.

“Our terms and conditions have allowed this, but we are bringing them front and centre to promote greater inclusion and gender neutrality.”

One group bound to have their feather-trimmed hats ruffled is the tight-knit community of serial competition entrants, who attend races around the country searching for sashes. 2017 Fashions on the Field winner and VRC ambassador Crystal Kimber is optimistic about their response.

“I have no doubt these changes will be broadly supported by the Fashions on the Field community,” Kimber says. “Giving everyone the opportunity to express themselves on the same stage is exciting for the competition. It’s sure to be a hotly contested national competition this year.”

Along with the increased emphasis on gender inclusion, the fashion prize now extends to New Zealand residents, 139 years after the New Zealand-bred Martini Henry won the Melbourne Cup.

Digital entries, introduced during the Covid-19 lockdowns, will continue along with the Emerging Designer and Millinery awards.

“The VRC is seen as traditional,” Wilson says. “Being traditional does not mean that you can’t be progressive.”

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