Fashions on the Field is becoming an increasingly big part of Melbourne Cup day.
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And the number of dresses and accessories in demand from local fashion outlets and milliners keeps growing.
Someone who has witnessed the rise is Michelle Taylor, of Get Dressed Hire. She loves seeing how more people are having fun with colour and style.
In the last week she has sent dresses and accessories everywhere from Melbourne to Humpty Doo for cup day lunches and race day events.
"The head piece we sent to Humpty Doo is probably the most remote we have ever done," she said.
The week leading up to Melbourne Cup is always the busiest of the year for Mrs Taylor who has had to become an expert in predicting what people will want to wear. Each year she orders in what she feels will be in demand.
So what does Mrs Taylor expect at Fashions on the Field at Kembla Grange, Flemington and Melbourne Cup day lunches and functions around the nation.
"We are seeing a lot of colour combinations this year. The most popular at the moment is red and pink. We are also seeing bold colours like beautiful emerald greens. And there is a lot of yellow and navy being paired together".
Mrs Taylor said the length of dresses being were mostly just below the knee. "And we are seeing a lot of figure hugging dresses with one sleeve".
Mrs Taylor said every year there were more women wanting to head out in the latest fashion on cup day. Part of the job in businesses like hers and retail fashion outlets is predicting what they will want.
"It is becoming huge. Cup day fashion is a field that just keeps growing. We start buying in April. We do that by following runway trends. We see what is happening overseas and look at what happened last year. We also look at what influencers are wearing".
Mrs Taylor said it was an exciting job because every year is fresh and new.
"There are always bright beautiful colours. There is a trend this year away from the little flower crowns towards wide brim hats. We get people booking months ahead for their outfit but we still get that last minute daredevils happy to take that risk. But for more and more women now there is a lot of planning that goes into the day.
"We are getting a lot of people getting their dresses here and then going to Melbourne. And a lot organising them for Kembla Grange and cup day lunches around Wollongong. But this year there were a lot of dresses being picked on Friday and Saturday for ladies flying to Melbourne. It is chance for women to have fun with an outfit and make a statement with a head piece."
"It is a day to be fashion forward but still apply a race day elegance".
What is happening around Wollongong on Cup Day
From Kembla Grange to new venues such as The Daring Squire and Pippi's Cafe at Flagstaff as well as traditional locations such as Lagoon Restaurant and Levelone Harbourfront cup day will a big social occasion across the Illawarra.
At Kembla Grange registrations for Fashions On The Field begin as soon as the gates open at 10am and close at 11.50am. After Race 1 at 12.10pm there is a parade of 60 female and 30 male entrants before the best dressed male and best dressed female are judged for Fashions On The Field and the ladies are judged for the Milinary Award.
Entertainment occurs between races at Kembla Grange after Race 3 at 1.19pm. Artists include Kaye Proudlove, Kora Naughten and Missing Linc. But everything stops at 3pm when all attention focuses on Flemington.
Post race day events will also popular across the Illawarra with Dr Farquhar at Warilla Bowls & Recreation Club among the venues with live entertainment.