Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival guide: Dress to impress

And a big boost to the economy.

"We start to see business picking up the Monday after the AFL Grand Final," Bagnato says.

"It doesn't matter how bad the economy is, it seems that the Melbourne Cup ignores it."

As well as events at the track, it is a good opportunity to see what's new in Melbourne. At every turn, the Victorian capital's creative energy is manifested in cool hidden bars, new boutiques and restaurants.

Here's our Spring Carnival Guide.

GET RACES READY

In 1962, the Victoria Racing Club introduced the Fashions on the Field competition to "woo more women to the races" and now, for many, this is the real race that stops a nation.

In Australia's style capital, there's no shortage of fashion inspiration; the newest go-to precinct being the rejuvenated CBD. The reimagined Emporium in Lonsdale Street adjacent to Myer and David Jones is a seven-storey shining beacon of fashion with stores ranging from Gorman to Kate Spade to Australia's first Uniqlo, the Japanese casual wear giant.

The centre offers styling sessions should guidance be needed in navigating the range of local and international designers. Myer also offers a personal shopper service for fashion advice.

For an individual look, Melbourne's laneways offer an array of choices, from bespoke shoes to millinery.

"I love the lanes, I love not knowing what I'm going to see," Dom Bagnato says.

"I love seeing the creativity that it sets off, and in the city, they are all connected; it's easier to shop in Melbourne, there's a flow."

Stop for a coffee at Traveller in Crossley Street before exploring laneway locals such as De Mille's vintage collectibles, Madam Virtue & Co bespoke fashions or Charles Edward, master shirtmaker.

Of course, fashion is not limited to the city. Other shopping precincts to take a tram to include Smith Street, Collingwood, Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, High Street, Armadale and the Chapel Street precinct.

AT THE TRACK

While the spring carnival is well under way, the first event highlighted in any racegoers diary is the three-day Caulfield Cup carnival, beginning with the BECK Caulfield Guineas Day on Saturday, October 11, followed by Catanach's Jewellers Blue Sapphire Stakes Day on Wednesday, October 15 and Crown Golden Ale Caulfield Cup Day on Saturday, October 18.

For the best views, book a table at celebrity chef Ian Curley's Black Caviar restaurant. The Promenade Restaurant, also in Caulfield's Rupert Clarke Grandstand, looks directly over the winning post.

Caulfield's answer to Flemington's birdcage, the Heath Enclosure, has the Champagne Pommery Pegasus Marquee, where chef Gary Mehigan will be serving fine fare and the David Jones marquee where local fashion icons and celebrities will mingle.

And the Chadstone Fashion Stakes will showcase the best of racing fashion with the grand final held on Caulfield Cup Day. Visit caulfieldcupcarnival.com.au

Lovers of night racing should head to the Cox Plate Carnival at Moonee Valley for the two-day meeting beginning October 24. It starts on the Friday night with the Manikato Stakes and concludes the following day with the running of the Cox Plate.

On October 22, the popular Cox Plate Ladies Luncheon will be held. You can expect to be serenaded by Anthony Callea and Tim Campbell and shown more of the racewear trends. Visit http://www.coxplate.com.au

Of course, the major racing carnival during the spring is the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington in early November. First up is Derby Day on November 1, followed by the Emirates Melbourne Cup Day on November 4, then Crown Oaks Day on November 6 and Emirates Stakes Day on November 8.

All eyes will be on the birdcage, a mini city full of marquees. Here, strict dress codes are enforced. Under Victoria Racing Club guidelines, gentlemen are not to wear cravats nor jodhpurs, and women are forbidden to don jumpsuits. For both sexes, the "strictly no denim" rule applies.

Emirates has chosen Germany as the theme for this year's Flemington corporate marquee spectacular, no doubt to highlight that the airline flies into four German cities. The double-storey marquee's exterior is said to be inspired by Neuschwanstein Castle in the Black Forest region.

The Lavazza marquee will become the most exclusive nightclub in Melbourne during carnival. Other notable marquees will be Myer, Schweppes, Lexus and La Maison G.H. Mumm.

The best view for general admission ticket holders is from the adjacent James Boag's Celebration Deck or the Schweppes Flemington Fling Bar. http://www.melbournecup.com

ODDS-ON BEST EVENTS OFF THE FIELD

Get fashion inspiration by visiting The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier – from the sidewalk to the catwalk at the National Gallery of Victoria from October 17.

"We call it a contemporary installation rather than a retrospective since Gaultier is still active," curator Thierry-Maxime Loriot says.

"It's about his passion and obsessions through the years; there is a strong social message in his work. It is a privilege to see haute couture up close and personal."

An Australian influence is being brought to the Melbourne installation by featuring gowns worn by Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett and Gemma Ward. http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/jeanpaulgaultier

Racing fans should head to the Flemington Racecourse Heritage Centre for a guided tour of the course. You'll explore jockeys' rooms and rub shoulders with a bronzed Bart Cummings. flemington.com.au

Round off your visit into racing history by viewing the taxidermied Phar Lap at the Melbourne Museum. The champion racehorse is the most popular item on display. museumvictoria.com.au

The National Sports Museum, housed in the MCG, is showcasing memorabilia under legendary sports broadcaster Norman May's most famous catchphrase, "Gold for Australia". Among the Olympic, Paralympic and Norm Smith medals on display is the Douglas Wilkie medal awarded by the Anti-Football League to Barry Jones for doing the least for Australian football. http://www.nsm.org.au

FROM PADDOCK TO PLATE

Apres track, there are myriad new restaurants and bars to sample in Melbourne including The Age Good Food Guide 2015 best new restaurant, Supernormal. It's the new pan-Asian venture for best chef award winner Andrew McConnell, well known for such restaurants as Cumulus Inc and Cutler & Co. The Flinders Lane restaurant doesn't take bookings for groups of five or less but is worth the wait in line. http://supernormal.net.au/

One more reason to check out the new one-hatted Stokehouse City in Alfred Place is that it is operating Derby Day and Oaks Day buses. From $50, you can meet there and enjoy breakfast and a glass of champagne before heading to the races. At the end of the day, a bus will head back, where, if you wish, you can choose to dine. If you do, make sure to leave room for the bombe, the famous dessert that Stokehouse (once a St Kilda institution before being burnt to the ground in January) has been making for 25 years. To book, call (03) 9525 5555 or www.stokehouse.com.au

Nearby, Lucy Liu's Kitchen and Bar in Oliver Lane offers small plates such as Peking duck dumplings and yellow fin tuna tataki. The Tasmanian oak and bamboo fit-out, lenticular menus and that they take bookings make this a sure-fire hit. lucylius.com.au

A rooftop favourite to welcome spring weather above The Melbourne Supper Club at bar Siglo. It's open late and has an extensive wine list. http://www.theeuropean.com.au/functions.html

Sample cocktails including the city's best dirty martini at the Gogo Bar underneath restaurant Chin Chin in Flinders Lane where renowned Melbourne soul DJ Miss Goldie spins 45s every Thursday and Sunday night. http://www.gogobar.com.au.

In Collingwood, head to Le Bon Ton for absinthe and oysters and in nearby Abbottsford, venture to Dr Morse – named after the "Dr Morse's Indian Root Pills" mural uncovered on the side of the building during renovation – for burgers and Abbotsford's Moondog Brewery beer. http://www.lebonton.com.au, http://www.drmorse.com.au

How to win in the fashion stakes

Here are the key essentials to ensure you're race-day ready from Melbourne Racing Club-appointed stylist Lana Wilkinson:

Use colour blocking

This can involve wearing one colour from head to toe, or utilising two contrasting colours. Designers who have nailed the mix of colour and prints for spring/summer are Zimmermann, Alice McCall and Bec and Bridge.

Style your outfit with statement millinery

Remember millinery can make or break your races look, so choose wisely. Wide-brimmed hats are making a comeback in a big way. British designer Phillip Philip✓ Treacy stocked in David Jones at Chadstone is one of my personal favourites.

Men should choose navy or grey

Choose grey and navy rather than the traditional black suits. Make sure the lapel flower matches the flower of the day and always, always wear a pocket square.

TRIP NOTES

GETTING THERE

Qantas, Virgin, Jetstar and Tigerair all fly to Melbourne from Sydney and other capitals. You can also choose to arrive by sea on the aptly named Carnival Spirit. Its inaugural Melbourne Cup cruise departs Sydney on Sunday, November 2, see carnival.com.au/melbournecup

STAYING THERE

The Art Series hotels are the hotel partner of the Caulfield Cup Carnival and to celebrate have collaborated with three milliners. You can view these impressive works of headpiece art in The Olsen, The Cullen and The Blackman until Friday, October 10. All pieces are available for purchase. See artserieshotels.com.au

Crown Towers has packages available like The Crown Experience, which includes overnight accommodation, buffet breakfast for two and valet parking from $374 per night. See crownhotels.com.au

MORE INFORMATION

visitvictoria.com; melbournecup.com.