Best Dressed
2026 Cup Day Fashion Competition
Best Dressed Category.
Best Dressed refers to an elegantly planned outfit for a special event like a race day, and is not considered a suit. This ensemble should be curated by the entrant.
To meet the criteria, the outfit should incorporate both millinery and complementary accessories (such as jewellery, footwear, handbag, and gloves), drawing inspiration from contemporary fashion trends to express the entrant's unique style while being suitable for the ambience of a day at Go Media NZ Trotting Cup Day 2026.
This year's Best Dressed prizes
4 Night Cruise in Fiji
for 2 people with Blue Lagoon Cruises thanks to our partners, World Travellers.
Return Flights to Fiji
for 2 people with Fiji Airways thanks to our partners, World Travellers.
Bouquet of Flowers
Thanks to The Forage
Plus, more to be announced in the coming weeks...
Judging Criteria:
Entrants will be judged on the following criteria, as interpreted by the judges in their absolute discretion:
Exceptional use of accessories (such as handbags, shoes, hat, jewellery, items)
Quality of materials used for the outfit
Meticulous grooming (such as hair, facial hair, make-up, nails)
Deportment (such as poise, confidence)
Cohesiveness of the entire look
Creativity and uniqueness (including handmade, one-off pieces, use of bought items)
Entrant Criteria:
In order to participate in the Best Dressed Category for The Fashion Competition 2026, entrants must fulfil the criteria and acknowledge that they understand and agree to abide by the criteria to enter the competition. These include (but are not limited to):
Entrants must be at least 18 years of age.
Entrants must be a NZ resident and living in NZ during the competition period.
Each entrant can enter once for either Best Dressed OR Best Suited.
Each entrant can enter Power of Colour as well as Best Dressed or Best Suited.
Entrants and/or their outfits are not permitted to promote commercially a brand, store, or designer.
Entrants must not receive any compensation from a third party for participating in this competition.
Entrants are not permitted to alter or add to their outfit in any way once they have entered it into the competition.
All prizes awarded to the entrant must remain the property of the entrant and are not transferable, exchangeable, or redeemable for cash.
This year's categories
Power of Colour
Celebrates smart, stylish use of colour to create a considered, fabulous look.
For full Cup Day Fashion Competition terms and conditions
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