As the high point of the city’s social calendar, the Ballarat Cup is now just as beloved for fun and fashion as it is for the action on the turf.

City Chic store manager Tegan Doherty said practicality was on the minds of Cup attendees this year, with jumpsuits and dresses with pockets selling well. 

“We have a lot of high and low dresses which are are higher at the front and lower at the back,” she said. 

“It’s still a really elegant look, but especially for the Spring Carnival, you’re not tripping over pieces of fabric.”

“I predict we’re going to see most people in jumpsuits, so that they won’t have to sit like a lady by the end of the day and can relax.

“Visually it’s floral, floral, floral, but certainly a lot of sort of nude tones and flesh-toned pinks are very on-trend.

“The boho look has come back in, and that’s where the nude colours are coming from. It was a simpler, more elegant time.”

While women will be sporting simpler styles and classic florals, Ballarat’s men will be leading the fashion stakes with clashing prints and bold choices.

Ed Harry store manager Rebecca Hagen said while blue suits always remained popular, men were becoming more empowered with their style choices. 

“This year the guys are going for more of the bright, printed shirts and coloured ties,” she said. “They’re doing pattern on pattern which looks really good.”

“We’re not back in the old days where you’ve got a black suit and a white shirt, they’re getting quite bold with floral pattern suits.”