alternate alternate Mail Online Search publisher Mail Online Femail RSS feed Latest Femail Stories RSS feed MailOnline - news, sport, celebrity, science and health stories [USEMAP:gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw== ] Home News U.S. Sport TVShowbiz Australia Femail Health Science Money Video Travel Fashion Finder Latest Headlines Femail Fashion Finder Food Femail Boards Beauty Gardening Deals Blogs Baby Blog My Profile Logout Login DailyMail NEW ARTICLESHomeTop Share show ad Did she escape from the Birdcage? Woman's fluffy orange suit takes first prize in the punters who missed the mark competition at Flemington The Melbourne Cup is always a stylish occasion, with spectators glamming up to the nines ahead of the race Melbourne Cup 2016 didn't disappoint, with many punters donning weird and wonderful outfits Some of the strangest ensembles were first through the gates at 8.30am on Tuesday morning Among the costumes on show are a fluffy, orange two-piece suit, a witch's costume and a tartan kilt The race will kick off at 3pm on Tuesday afternoon - it is attended by more than 100,000 people By Sophie Haslett For Daily Mail Australia Published: 02:37 GMT, 1 November 2016 | Updated: 05:39 GMT, 1 November 2016 e-mail 170 shares 12 View comments For the style set, the Melbourne Cup is an opportunity to flex their sartorial muscles and show the nation what their fashion nous is made of. And though thousands of impeccably-dressed, stylish race-goers descend on Flemington every year, there are always just as many who turn up as if they're still rocking their Halloween costumes. And this year's bizarre punters' outfits have not disappointed so far. From co-ordinating superhero suits to glammed-up spectators sporting fishnet tights and feathered headpieces, and even one woman sporting an all-fluffy, all-orange trouser suit, Melbourne Cup 2016 once more showed it is as much a celebration of fashion as it is the weird and the wonderful. Dressing up? Excited punters flooded the gates as early as 8.30am on Tuesday for the Melbourne Cup 2016 - and the fashion didn't disappoint - one punter opted for an all-orange, fluffy suit (pictured) Dressing up? Excited punters flooded the gates as early as 8.30am on Tuesday for the Melbourne Cup 2016 - and the fashion didn't disappoint - one punter opted for an all-orange, fluffy suit (pictured) Another donned a witch's hat, statement sunglasses and tulle (pictured) Another donned a witch's hat, statement sunglasses and tulle (pictured) Dressing up? Excited punters flooded the gates as early as 8.30am on Tuesday for the Melbourne Cup 2016 - and the fashion didn't disappoint - one punter opted for an all-orange, fluffy suit (left), while another donned a witch's hat and tulle (right) Ghoulish: A scary-looking group posed for photos in Halloween-inspired costumes (pictured) Ghoulish: A scary-looking group posed for photos in Halloween-inspired costumes (pictured) Ghoulish: A scary-looking group posed for photos in Halloween-inspired costumes (pictured) Matchy matchy: One all-male group sported co-ordinating superhero suits (pictured), which they paired with sunglasses and wry smiles for the occaison Matchy matchy: One all-male group sported co-ordinating superhero suits (pictured), which they paired with sunglasses and wry smiles for the occaison Matchy matchy: One all-male group sported co-ordinating superhero suits (pictured), which they paired with sunglasses and wry smiles for the occaison Glammed up: Another ladies' group opted for red feather boas, heart-shaped sunglasses, fishnet tights and matching black wigs, before they set up camp to enjoy the day's proceedings Glammed up: Another ladies' group opted for red feather boas, heart-shaped sunglasses, fishnet tights and matching black wigs, before they set up camp to enjoy the day's proceedings Glammed up: Another ladies' group opted for red feather boas, heart-shaped sunglasses, fishnet tights and matching black wigs, before they set up camp to enjoy the day's proceedings Bizarre: Some of the first excited punters through the gates at 8.30am on Tuesday were some of the most strangely dressed - one couple opted for matching headpieces Bizarre: Some of the first excited punters through the gates at 8.30am on Tuesday were some of the most strangely dressed - one couple opted for matching headpieces Bizarre: Some of the first excited punters through the gates at 8.30am on Tuesday were some of the most strangely dressed - one couple opted for matching headpieces Some of the first excited punters through the gates at 8.30am on Tuesday were some of the most strangely dressed. One woman channelled a Big Bird aesthetic, thanks to her all-fluffy, all-orange outfit, while another opted for a witch's hat, purple sunglasses and what looked to be stockings on her arms - presumably the remnants from her Halloween costume from Monday night. Others came dressed according to the time of year, too, such as one group who rocked ghoulish attire, face paint and stockings. Another group of women sported identikit black wigs, red feather boas, fishnet tights and heart-shaped sunglasses. One eccentric fashion lover even donned a huge hat featuring elements from the Melbourne Cup as details - including horses, jockeys, foliage and spectators. Creative: A giant set of wings set one punter apart (pictured) Creative: A giant set of wings set one punter apart (pictured) Creative: A giant set of wings set one punter apart (pictured) Unusual: One woman's incredibly detailed, bizarre headpiece caught eyes - featuring both jockeys, horses, spectators and foliage, it was a sight to behold Unusual: One woman's incredibly detailed, bizarre headpiece caught eyes - featuring both jockeys, horses, spectators and foliage, it was a sight to behold Unusual: One woman's incredibly detailed, bizarre headpiece caught eyes - featuring both jockeys, horses, spectators and foliage, it was a sight to behold Going green: One couple sported matching green outfits (pictured), ahead of the most prestigious race of the Spring Racing season Going green: One couple sported matching green outfits (pictured), ahead of the most prestigious race of the Spring Racing season Going green: One couple sported matching green outfits (pictured), ahead of the most prestigious race of the Spring Racing season One does both: It wasn't just the women cracking out their finest attire for the most prestigious race of the Spring Racing season One does both: It wasn't just the women cracking out their finest attire for the most prestigious race of the Spring Racing season Flemington's men were also dressed to the nines in creative attire (pictured) Flemington's men were also dressed to the nines in creative attire (pictured) One does both: It wasn't just the women cracking out their finest attire for the most prestigious race of the Spring Racing season - Flemington's men were also dressed to the nines in creative attire (pictured) Revealing: While some covered up, others left little to the imagination (pictured) Revealing: While some covered up, others left little to the imagination (pictured) Revealing: While some covered up, others left little to the imagination (pictured) Revealing: While some covered up, others left little to the imagination (pictured) Revealing: While some covered up, others left little to the imagination (pictured) It wasn't just the women cracking out their finest attire for the most prestigious race of the Spring Racing season , either. Flemington's men were also dressed to the nines in honour of the occasion. While a group of four males sported co-ordinating two piece, superhero suits, another punter painted his face and paired a singlet-style top with a tartan sash and kilt. Another group seemed to be dressed as jockeys, complete with yellow shirts, bow ties and orange headpieces. Confused: Another person had his face completely covered, while other punters didn't bat an eyelid (pictured) Confused: Another person had his face completely covered, while other punters didn't bat an eyelid (pictured) Confused: Another person had his face completely covered, while other punters didn't bat an eyelid (pictured) Brave heart: One jovial man stole the attentions of many, thanks to his tartan sash, kilt, and painted face (pictured) Brave heart: One jovial man stole the attentions of many, thanks to his tartan sash, kilt, and painted face (pictured) Brave heart: One jovial man stole the attentions of many, thanks to his tartan sash, kilt, and painted face (pictured) Ready to go: Another group of male friends dressed as jockeys, with yellow shirts, pink bow ties and orange headpieces (pictured) Ready to go: Another group of male friends dressed as jockeys, with yellow shirts, pink bow ties and orange headpieces (pictured) Ready to go: Another group of male friends dressed as jockeys, with yellow shirts, pink bow ties and orange headpieces (pictured) Having fun: Entertainers had a joyous time in fluffy socks and scarves (pictured) Having fun: Entertainers had a joyous time in fluffy socks and scarves (pictured) Having fun: Entertainers had a joyous time in fluffy socks and scarves (pictured) Covering up: One man covered up in white and a white headpiece (pictured) Covering up: One man covered up in white and a white headpiece (pictured) Another opted for an extremely colourful ensemble (pictured) Another opted for an extremely colourful ensemble (pictured) Covering up: One man covered up in white and a white headpiece (left) - another opted for an extremely colourful ensemble (right) The 3,200-metre race kicks off at 3pm on Tuesday and is the most prestigious race of the Spring Racing season. Attended by close to 100,000 people from all over the country, it is known as 'the race that stops the nation'. The Melbourne Cup is also widely perceived to be one of the richest prizes in Australian sport. Share or comment on this article e-mail 170 shares Most watched News videos Mariah botches New Year's Eve performance and storms off stage Heart-warming moment woman plays piano and sings in cathedral Woman takes seven minutes to parallel park car in double space Disturbing moment pitbull kills small dog in front of its owner Man goes crazy when he catches another guy in bed with his wife Man finally talks to wife after over twenty years of silence Passenger insults flight attendant before being led away by police Mass brawl erupts between customers and restaurant staff Spooky! 'Ghost' appears to follow two people down a driveway Bottles fly during terrifying NYE fight at Manchester restaurant Dog shows off its incredibly efficient banana-eating technique Take a look inside one of the brand new flats in The Collective [INS: :INS] Pictures that make me weep for today's young women: SARAH... Welcome to the UK’s Capital of Culture: Hull descends into... Beer on demand, parties every weekend and an on-site sauna:... George Michael's lover Fadi Fawaz reveals the singer died... Some people won't be having a happy new year! Carnage on the... First pictures inside Istanbul nightclub show bodies strewn... Musician who turned her back on singing career becomes... British traveller, 29, found dead in exclusive Melbourne... New year, new life! Hot mugshot felon celebrates the... Blindfolded British couple found hanged in Cambodia with... Distraught children are left in tears as New Year trip to... How NOT to park a Renault Clio: Baffled driver takes seven... MOST READ NEWS Previous Next ● ● More top stories [INS: :INS] [INS: :INS] SHARE PICTURE Copy link to paste in your message Back to top Home News U.S. Sport TVShowbiz Australia Femail Health Science Money Video Travel Fashion Finder Sitemap Archive Video Archive Topics Index Mobile Apps Screensaver RSS Text-based site Reader Prints Our Papers Top of page Daily Mail Mail on Sunday This is Network This is Money Metro Jobsite Mail Travel Zoopla.co.uk Prime Location Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday Metro Media Group © Associated Newspapers Ltd Contact us How to complain Advertise with us Contributors Terms Discount Codes Privacy policy cookies Cookie regulation logo