Lexus Melbourne Cup Day Best Suited competition: Colour-coded

The Best Suited field on Cup Day was anything but subdued. Coral, teal, fire-engine red and neon yellow all made an appearance, and while prints had their place, bold blocks of colour ruled. Silhouettes ranged from traditional three-piece suits to skirt suits, with embellished shoulders, flat caps, the occasional cowboy hat and more than a nod to the Mad Hatter. Plenty of entrants embraced the art of clashing colours, pairing their suits with shirts in deliberately contrasting shades.

As on Derby Day, no detail was overlooked. Ties, tie pins, bow ties, brooches and immaculate millinery shared the spotlight with decorated canes, leopard-print accessories, wild patterns and one dramatic red sash trailing behind its wearer.

Three more finalists secured their places in Thursday’s grand final, and all are familiar faces on the Flemington catwalk.

Sherlon Garbo, a regular entrant and 2022 winner, built his look around a bright orange suit jacket, white trousers and a vivid yellow shirt. “I think Melbourne is about bold colour, and I chose to make my accessories big, like my boat bag,” he says. He cut and sewed his own millinery from fabric matched to his shirt, completing the outfit with an oversized floral brooch, pocket square, tie and tie pin. “I’m into expression in fashion,” says Sherlon, a registered nurse.

Kalombo Ntumba is another familiar face, having reached the finals in 2019, 2021 and 2024. Usually drawn to a closer fit, he wanted something with more movement this year and settled on a lightweight mustard linen suit. He thrifted most of his accessories, including his shoes and a pin he discovered years ago and has worn at every competition since. “It’s my lucky charm,” he says. Usually worn as a tie clip, it found a new home on his lapel this year.

The patterned scarf knotted at his neck has a story of its own. Kalombo thrifted the fabric, bought a sewing machine and taught himself to sew, guided by Zoom calls with his dad in South Africa and YouTube tutorials playing in the background. The fabric reappears as a detail on his hat, while a contrasting shirt, maroon belt and watch bring the look together. Based in Sydney, Kalombo works in finance, where his everyday wardrobe is considerably more restrained. “This is my outlet for expression.”

Rob Lee completes the trio of returning entrants who can't resist another turn on the Fashions on the Field catwalk. He paired a peach suit with a neon green tie and pocket square, adding loafers, a cane and a striking creation by Kathryn Lee Millinery. The result was dapper and simple, but no less eye-catching.