spring carnival

We're less than 24 hours away from the race that stops a nation so what better time to take a trip down memory lane and check out the stars' beauty looks from Melbourne Cup over the years. We're going back to 2004 with Jennifer Hawkins, Kate Ritchie and co. and it's interesting to see how the fashions have changed. Blush and feathers were big in 2005 but last year it was more about statement headpieces that made the A-listers stand out from the crowds. Take a look through the gallery and tell if you've been inspired and what you'll be wearing this year!

Forget about Halloween for a second — because there's another day with a fancy dress code that we're a little more interested in at Fab HQ... Derby Day! Come Saturday the crowds will be frocked up in their black and white best, and subsequently the Sugar eds are knee deep in outfit preparations. Whether you're on the hunt for the perfect monochrome frock, or are just in need of little head candy, the fruits of our office online searches might just come in handy. Click through to see what we'll be wearing to celebrate the Spring Carnival's chicest race day . . .

Yes, you read that heading right — we've got twenty hand-picked, carefully chosen black and white dresses, perfect for Saturday's Derby Day, ready and waiting for your perusal. If you don't already have your 'fit sorted, we thought you may need a super-sized shopping gallery to ensure you find (and buy) something in time for the the weekend. From snappy stripes to modern graphics, pretty polkadots to minimalist colour-blocking, we've covered all your monochrome bases. Now all you need is something chic for your head, a clutch and the perfect pointy toed pump. Luckily for you we've done our homework on those fronts, too!

Last week we gave you umpteen (OK, well, ten — if you want to be precise) suggestions for what to wear on your head when you're off to the races. Now that your headwear is sorted, we thought it only right to turn our attention to the all-important clutch bag. Why so important, you ask? Well, not only does your bag haveto compliment your outift, but it has to be both streamlined and big enough to carry all of your trackside-essentials. From black and white beauties for Derby Day to investment buys that you'll treasure forever, we've found ten killer clutches to get your Spring carnival look off and racing!

We've seen the best of beauty from Derby Day and Melbourne Cup and now the 2011 Spring Racing Carnival is officially over after Emirates Stakes Day took place over the weekend. Our favourite trackside attendees sported fresh, pretty, Spring-time beauty looks; Rachael Finch and Rebecca Judd both opted for subtle rosy glow, while Home & Away hottie Rebecca Breeds donned a slick of fire-engine red lippy — the perfect accompaniment to her black winged eye. Click through to see the rest of the beauty-full attendees and tell us which celeb wore your favourite look.

We're seeing au revoir to the 2011 Spring Racing Season (can you believe it's over already?) with a celeb-filled wrap up of Saturday's Emirates Stakes Days shenanigans. The well-heeled crowd took the traditional red rose as their sartorial inspiration, frocking up in all shades of scarlet at Flemington Racecourse. Rachael Finch worked a petal-printed number, Rebecca Judd opted for a striking geometric pattern whilst Winners and Losers star Melissa Bergland did an Anna Dello Russo on us in a red cherry topper. Get your last look at this year's trackside style with our round-up!

Ladies day delivered a slew of super femme looks at Flemington today in Melbourne, with celebrities keeping (for the most part) to the feminine dress code, as suggested by our racing guru Emma Freedman. SJP wowed us with her pretty prom dress, as did trackside stars Jennifer Hawkins and Rebecca Judd who frocked up in Toni Maticevski and Fleur Wood respectively. We also saw icon of the '80s Joan Collins in her signature puffed sleeves, Ruby Rose who opted for a ghoulish lace headpiece and the always dapper Kris Smith who suited up courtesy of Dom Bagnato. Want to see more from Oaks Day's famous faces? Collect your ticket . . .