Fashion stakes were high at the Ovens Ford Melbourne Cup Day at the Wangaratta Turf Club on Tuesday, with 75 entrants in the Fashions on the Field competition, including visitors from Yarra Glen and Beechworth.

Under the “In Full Bloom” theme, attendees embraced the festive spirit, donning their finest attire for the day of racing and fashion.

Judge Kat Stewart said the event had one of the best turnouts she has seen and "fashion wise it was amazing”.

“The ladies and the men definitely brought it, it’s the best amount of blokes I've seen, and the calibre is just getting higher and higher every time," she said.

“Even though we've had a little bit of bad weather, everyone's still looking great.

“I think that’s the Aussie attitude, it's the Melbourne Cup Day and the day goes on.”

Lady of the Day winner, Emma Hearn of Benalla, was wearing a Zimmermann dress.

“It was a very last minute outfit due to the weather,” she said.

“It's a really nice linen so it's comfy and then I teamed it up with this fluffy jacket which is nice and warm for today.

“I’ve had the hat for years and I was considering selling it but then it actually worked out so well for today.

“I generally enter the Fashions on the Field competition but coming from a horse background, we bring our whole family and love watching the racing, as well as the fashion side of thing.

“I’ve trained a few off the track thoroughbreds, so horses are a big part of our life.

“It’s great on Cup Day being able to come here instead of having to travel to Melbourne.

“I’d like thank the Wangaratta Turf Club for putting on the Fashions in the Fields and the races, it’s been a few years since I was here and the infrastructure and improvements are amazing."

As Lady of the Day Emma won a Skin Discovery Consultation by Skinsational with Hydrating Facial & Take Home Sheet Mask; $100 Rinaldo’s Casa Cucina Voucher; and a $100 voucher for Donna Bella Lingerie.

Other fashion winners took home spectacular prizes, made possible through local businesses such as Evans Shoes, Judds, Flynn’s Inland Surf Co., and Jessie’s Creek Cottage, King Valley.