It may be called Ladies’ Day, but the fashion at Flemington Racecourse on Thursday was anything but restrained.
As the Melbourne Cup Carnival reached its third major meeting, Crown Oaks Day brought together Australia’s best-known celebrities, socialites and racing figures for one last high-profile style contest.
The event is traditionally associated with feminine elegance, romantic florals and soft pastel shades, offering a gentler contrast to Derby Day’s monochrome polish and Melbourne Cup Day’s larger-than-life spectacle.
Even so, the fashion stakes in the Birdcage were fiercely competitive.
International surprise guest Ashanti commanded attention in an all-white outfit finished with romantic rosette detailing, adding a touch of R&B glamour to the occasion.
Fashion names including Kate Waterhouse, Lana Wilkinson, Amy Pejkovic and Brodie Harper also attracted plenty of attention, while Melissa Leong delivered one of the day’s most memorable looks.
Aussie singer Vanessa Amorosi, 45, however, appeared to take a very different interpretation of the dress code. She swapped traditional pastels for a dramatic Gothic-inspired black dress with gold splatter detailing that felt more Halloween than Ladies’ Day.
So who captured the spirit of Oaks Day, and who missed the mark? The Daily Mail reviews the best and most questionable celebrity looks from Crown Oaks Day 2026.
Celebrity stylist Lana Wilkinson delivered polished elegance in a strapless, figure-hugging pastel-pink gown by Alex Perry. She paired it with an oversized Melissa Jackson Millinery hat, a sleek Jacquemus handbag and glittering heels from her own footwear label
The ‘Best’ Dressed
This was a masterclass in Oaks Day dressing.
From striking couture to carefully styled pastel looks, Flemington’s fashion crowd arrived ready to make an impression.
Some guests relied on classic sophistication, while others embraced vivid colour, tulle, exaggerated shapes and oversized headwear.
The result was a selection of bold, confident looks that proved a well-judged fashion risk can make a lasting impression.
Bella Henry knows how to make a statement in a feathered fascinator, and she raised the bar again with this daring race-day look. Her plum and lilac palette complemented Alicia Marshall’s outfit beautifully
Melissa Leong looked ready for a starring role in the next Wicked film in a cream woven crop top and matching maxi skirt. Oversized floral appliqués and a basket-inspired EZARA/J headpiece completed the fashion-forward ensemble
Amy Pejkovic, left, and Jade Kisnorbo, right, embraced the softer mood of Oaks Day in coordinating butter-yellow looks. Amy wore a flowing World of Rezort lace maxi with a Lack of Colour straw hat, while Jade chose an off-the-shoulder dress with a dramatic thigh-high split
AFL WAG Annalise Dalins brought playful energy to the blue carpet in a cream fringed Eliya The Label two-piece. The cropped jacket and matching mini skirt highlighted her toned legs and were paired with peep-toe heels
R&B star Ashanti made an unexpected appearance in a white ensemble decorated with rosette details. It may not have been a definitive high-fashion moment, but the singer’s effort and undeniable star power earned her a place among the day’s standouts
Ashanti completed the look with eye-catching embellished nails and playful diamante bows
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Fashion icon Charlene Davies has never been one for understatement, and this look showed why. Her extravagant sky-blue couture gown featured layers of frothy tulle and a sweeping train, creating a modern Cinderella moment
Ruby Brownless embraced high drama in a pastel-pink Deconduarte design with sculptural cascading ruffles, daring cut-outs and a flowing skirt. It was one of the day’s standout fashion statements
Cricket great Ricky Ponting added sporting prestige to Flemington alongside his wife Riana, who looked effortlessly polished in a brown and blue ensemble. The unexpected colour pairing proved to be a winning combination
News presenter Brodie Harper made an impact in a vivid scarlet gown with a sculptural neckline. She added a dramatic Shelley Christie Melbourne floral fascinator, punctuated with playful flashes of pink
The fashion risks that missed the mark
Of course, every best-dressed list comes with a few fashion disappointments.
While Oaks Day is known for feminine glamour and floral detail, several guests took their looks in directions that did not quite suit the occasion.
From clashing colour choices and awkward silhouettes to distracting headwear and outfits that seemed better suited to a costume event, the 2026 race-day fashion produced its share of surprises.
Taking a style risk is always worth applauding, but not every bold decision delivers the desired result.
Here are the stars who fell short at the final fashion hurdle.
Vanessa Amorosi took a dramatic turn in a fitted black gown with gold splatter detailing and an avant-garde wire headpiece. The Aussie singer deserves credit for trying something unexpected, but the dark look felt out of step with the Oaks Day brief
The sculptural headpiece gave Vanessa Amorosi a distinctly Ursula-inspired finish
Miss Australia 2025 Zana Pali looked undeniably beautiful, but the outfit felt more suited to a casual lunch than one of Flemington’s biggest fashion occasions. A touch more glamour would have elevated the look
Nadia Bartel missed the mark in a peach Lillian Khallouf skirt suit with a croc-effect finish and oversized sleeves. The colour was ideal for Ladies’ Day and offered a departure from her usual style, but the silhouette did little to enhance her figure
Host and presenter Elle Ray stepped away from traditional race-day monochrome in a two-tone dress, but the overall result felt closer to sixth-form formalwear than a Flemington fashion statement
Anna Staples added colour in a bold floral dress with a distinctly retro, curtain-like print. Her husband Michael looked sharp in a cream blazer and pastel-pink tie, and although they did not top the style rankings, the pair made a charming couple
Chantelle Ford consistently brings an element of surprise to the races. This time, however, a bright accent colour could have added the extra impact the neutral look needed
Alin Le’Kal took a bold risk with an all-white race-day ensemble