The Fashion Favorites Who Skipped the Cup This Year
The race that stops the nation will be missing two of its most fashionable fixtures this year. Both Rebecca Judd and Nadia Bartel, who are regulars at the Melbourne Cup known for their head-turning race day ensembles, opted to skip the event this Tuesday.
Judd made her absence clear by posting a photo on Instagram of herself lounging at home in a white mesh dress and black bikini just hours before the big race. “Cup Day in @littledutchclothing and designer eyes,” she wrote, showing she had other plans for the day. Bartel also confirmed she would not be attending when she failed to post any Cup Day content on social media.
The influencer duo’s absence is notable given their reputation for bringing major fashion moments to the event each year. In 2022, Bartel stunned in a teal Atoir dress with a dramatic hip-high slit, while Judd sparked controversy in a red J’Aton Couture frock that some deemed too revealing. Judd laughed off the critics, defending her right to wear what she wants.
With the Victoria Racing Club relaxing its dress code rules for 2023 to allow more daring looks, many were eager to see how Bartel and Judd would respond. But it seems neither were up for playing by the new rules this time. Instead, they’ve left the day’s scene-stealing fashion to other attendees.
Still, their past memorable Cup ensembles ensure both women have already left their mark on the event’s style history. From Bartel’s body-hugging pink Dion Lee number in 2019 to Judd’s bold cut-out dress in 2017, they never fail to get racegoers buzzing about what they’ll debut next.
Though they’ll be missed trackside this year, we can count on the stylish pair to continue wowing us with jaw-dropping fashion moments at Cups to come. Their absence simply leaves the door open for new faces to own the style spotlight in 2022.
Rebecca Judd and Nadia Bartel Skip the Cup: Where Were the It-Girls?
Melbourne Cup attendees were left disappointed this year as two of the race’s most eagerly anticipated style stars, Rebecca Judd and Nadia Bartel, failed to show up. The influencer duo have become synonymous with serving up daring fashion at Flemington, but were clearly absent from all the trackside action on Tuesday.
Judd made her plans clear by posting a photo in a beachy mesh dress on Instagram just before the Cup, captioning it “Cup Day” attire. Bartel also confirmed she’d be skipping the races when she didn’t share any posts from the event per usual.
Their lack of attendance left a noticeable hole in the celebrity fashion lineup. Over the years, Judd and Bartel have consistently topped best dressed lists with show-stopping looks. From Judd’s cut-out J’Aton Couture number last year to Bartel’s pink Dion Lee dress in 2019, the pair always bring their style A-game.
Many were particularly eager to see how Judd and Bartel would respond to the Victoria Racing Club relaxing its dress code rules for 2023. But it seems the controversial changes weren’t enough to draw them back.
Of course, their greatest hits ensure Judd and Bartel’s status as Melbourne Cup style icons is firmly cemented. But seeing who steps up as this year’s fashion queen without two of the event’s staple stars promises to be interesting. Get ready for new names and faces to bring the big fashion energy.
Why Rebecca Judd and Nadia Bartel Skipped This Year’s Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup carnival kicked off without two of its most fashionable muses this year, as both Rebecca Judd and Nadia Bartel opted to skip the races. The influencer duo’s absence from the event’s red carpet and celebrity marquee was hard to miss.
Judd indicated she’d be sitting this year out by posting a photo of herself relaxing at home in a white beachy dress and sunglasses as the Cup was getting underway. “Cup Day in @littledutchclothing and designer eyes,” she cheekily captioned the Instagram snap.
Bartel also confirmed she wouldn’t be trackside when she didn’t share any of her signature race day content on social media.
So why did two of the Cup’s greatest style stars choose 2022 as the year to break their attendee streak?
It’s possible the newly relaxed dress codes played a part in their decision. The Victoria Racing Club made headlines by allowing more daring looks in 2023, like cut-outs and mini hemlines. But the shift wasn’t well received by all, with some racing veterans including Gai Waterhouse calling it classless.
Judd and Bartel also may have simply wished to take a break from the mayhem this year. The stylish friends memorably brought the drama with their red carpet fashion choices in 2022. But skipping the event likely allowed them both to avoid another round of viral debates about appropriate race wear.
Regardless of their reasons, Judd and Bartel’s fierce fashion will certainly be missed. But their absence also paves the way for new style stars to shine at the Cup this year.
Rebecca Judd and Nadia Bartel Skip Out on Melbourne Cup 2022
The celebrity style lineup at this year’s Melbourne Cup was notably missing two of the event’s most famous fashion figures, Rebecca Judd and Nadia Bartel. The influencer friends tend to be fixtures at the annual races, where they consistently deliver show-stopping style moments. But both were absent among the parade of glamorous racegoers on Tuesday.
Judd confirmed she would not be attending the Cup this year by sharing a photo on Instagram of herself lounging at home in a beachy white dress just hours before the big event. Meanwhile Bartel, who documents her fashionable race day looks each year, didn’t post any content from Flemington.
Their lack of attendance left a gaping hole in the star style stakes. Over the years, Judd and Bartel have become renowned for bringing bold, conversation-starting fashion to the event. From Judd’s curve-hugging red dress in 2022 to Bartel’s thigh-high split teal number in 2021, their ensembles always get racegoers buzzing.
Many were especially eager to see how the pair would respond to the Victoria Racing Club relaxing its dress code rules this year. But it seems neither were up for pushing style boundaries this time.
Of course, Judd and Bartel’s show-stopping past looks ensure their status as Cup style legends remains firmly intact. But their absence left room for new names to claim the fashion spotlight in 2022. Get ready for fresh faces to bring the big fashion energy.
Rebecca Judd and Nadia Bartel Sit Out Cup Day
An air of old-Hollywood glamour and style descended on Flemington for this year’s Melbourne Cup. But two of the event’s most hotly anticipated celebrity guests were nowhere to be found come race time on Tuesday.
Both Rebecca Judd and Nadia Bartel, who are renowned for bringing show-stopping fashion to the event annually, opted to skip the races this year. Judd indicated she’d be missing the event with a cheeky Instagram post modeling a white mesh dress as the perfect “Cup Day attire” while lounging at home. Bartel also clearly sat out when she didn’t share any signature race day content on social media.
The duo’s absence meant many stylish surprises. Judd and Bartel never fail to pull out all the stops with head-turning race wear, from dramatic slits to bold cut-outs. Many were looking forward to their takes on the Victoria Racing Club’s relaxed 2023 dress standards too.
But it seems Judd and Bartel felt Flemington could fare fabulously without them this year. Of course, their standout style moments over the years solidify them as Melbourne Cup fashion forces. Racy thigh-high splits, cleavage-baring necklines and bare midriffs – the pair have rocked them all with aplomb.
Though they opted out, Judd and Bartel’s courage to make daring fashion statements remains. Their spirited legacy will doubtless inspire a new generation of style stars at the cup for years to come.
