Racegoers donned outfits of all shapes, colours and shades as they hit the catwalk under the warm November sun, cheered on by a strong and supportive crowd.

Albury's Lauren Howson was the first winner of the day, taking home first prize in the millinery competition, donning a striking piece by local milliner Delphine Nicholson.

While you might generally expect contestants to spare no expense when assembling their ensembles, both the Lady and Gentleman of the Day created outfits largely using pieces they already had in their respective wardrobes.

Lady of the Day Tayla Johnson wore a black dress, with vibrant floral skirt and trim, a green scarf tied around a low ponytail, purple earrings and a black hat from Crazy Teapot Millinery.

“It’s pretty much all stuff from my cupboard,” she said.

“It’s a Cue dress, then I have a Casper and Pearl skirt and top, and I kind of just put it all together.

“The only thing I actually bought for today were the earrings.” 

Myrtleford’s Nathan Button was judged best dressed at the Cup for the second year in a row.

He donned a cream suit jacket and matching cap, blue waistcoat and red striped tie, and maroon trousers. 

What put him at the top, as far as the judges were concerned, was his use of accessories; a smart, matching cream bag and jacket ornaments.

One of three judges, Lisa Toohey of Border business Lease a Look, said the panel had rated well-executed, classic racing looks very highly this year.

“Colour is really in at the moment, and the detail is extremely important as well,” she said.

“You’ve got to think about every detail, you’ve got to think about every aspect from head to toe to make a full outfit, and that’s what Lady of the Day should be about.

“At the end of the day, something feminine, classy, classic and timeless, was what won out.  

“I don’t think the classic look ever goes out of trend.”