The Melbourne Cup Spring Carnival commences on Saturday and excited fashionistas around the country are preparing their wardrobe for a week of high style.

If you want to be ahead of the style stakes this Melbourne Cup, then adhere to the specific dress codes for each carnival.

Here are some style tips for how to dress for each race day.

Derby Day, Saturday 1^st November

Black and white is the dress code for the first day of the Melbourne Cup Spring Carnival. Monochrome is a major spring trend so there is plenty of choice to create a striking look.

Stylist tip:  Siren-red lips are the perfect beauty accoutrement for monochrome styles.

Ginger & Smart dress; Olga Berg clutch;  Gregory Ladner large fascinator;  Nine West heels;  Adorne bracelet. (see Above)

Melbourne Cup Day, Tuesday 4^th November

Be bold and bright.  Melbourne Cup day is all about colour and high-style.  Go all out with colour from head to toe or add bright pops of colour with your accessories or opt for an elaborate, but elegant, up-do.

Stylist Tip:  With all that colour, neutral and soft beauty tones are essential.

Alex Perry dress;  Max Alexander pillbox hat;  Oroton clutch;  Mimco crystal studs;  Tom Ford lipstick in

Crown Oaks Ladies Day, Thursday 6^th November

Elegant and glamourous is the style-rule for Oaks Day.  Opt for feminine dresses of lace or silk and accessories with lady-like jewellery – it’s the prefect time to pop on your pearls girls.  Summer’s sorbet colours of peach, pale pink, lilac and mint will provide a soft and chic silhouette.

Stylist tip:  A soft and elegant do is the perfect hairstyle for lady-like elegance.

By Johnny dress;  Mimco earrings;  Colette Hayman clutch; Jimmy Choo pumps; OPI nail enamel.

Stakes Day, Saturday, 8^th November

The end of the Melbourne Cup carnival allows for a more relaxed feel to dressing.  This season’s jumpsuit is the perfect style-choice for Stakes Day but elevate the style with heels and smart jewellery so as not to be too casual.

Stylist tip:  A stylish wedge is a jumpsuit’s BFF.

Country Road jumpsuit;  Tony Bianco heels; Samantha Willis cuff, Colette Hayman clutch;  Forever New hat.

Hair and beauty trends for Spring/Summer 2014 range from pretty and polished, bare and au natural to bursts of high-wattage colour and glamour.

If you’re attending one of the many day or evening charity events on the CharityDos website, here are some of the hottest hair and beauty trends for summer 2014.

MAKEUP

Pink and Orange Lips

The hottest beauty accessory for Spring/Summer 2014 is a hot-pink or orange lip.  Choose a colour that suits your skin tone with the general rule-of-thumb being for fair skin opt for cooler tones, for warmer complexions choose from a wide range including corals and deep pinks.

Beauty tip:  Pair a bright lip with minimal eye makeup.

Try:  Nars Satin Lip Pencil Collection in Yu (Shocking Pink), $34

Winged Eyes

For evening charity events, channel Sophia Loren and opt for a sexy winged effect with a sweep of the blackest eyeliner.  With a little practice and the right tools, you can achieve this look no time at all.

Try:  Bobbi Brown Long-wear Gel Eyeliner, $35

Golden Girl

Summer wouldn’t be complete without a golden glow and for 2014 the inspiration comes from 1970’s disco-diva with glamourous gilding on eyes, lips, cheeks and face.

Try:  Becca Cosmetics Beach Tint Shimmer Soufflè in Fig/Opal, $45

Sweet Cheeks

Pretty sorbet colours are on the ‘hot beauty list’ for 2014.  Sweep soft pink or pretty peach across cheekbones for a ‘flush’ of summer sweetness.

Try:  Chanel Le Blush Crème in Affinité, $60

Colour Me Happy

There is no better time than an evening charity event to opt for a bold eye.  The hottest colours this summer are purple and blue (yes blue).  For those who are young and daring, apply liberal amounts of colour to eyes, for those not-so-young, just a dab of colour to the inside corner of the eye will ensure your beautifully on-trend.

Try:  By Terry Ombre Veloutee Power Eye Shadow in Milky Marshmallow, $52

Au Naturel

The other side of the beauty spectrum for this summer is a pared-back ‘natural look’.  Achieve this look with a strong and well-groomed brow, a hint of foundation and barely-there eyes and lips.

Beauty tip:  Thick lashings of mascara will add definition to this pared-back look.

Try:  Guerlain Eyebrow Kit, $59

Pretty Polish

The ‘pretty’ trend extends to fingers and toes in sweet colours of nude, lilac, rose and mint.

Style Tip:  Nude fingernails give the appearance of longer, leaner hands.

Try:  Christian Dior nail enamel in Rose Tutu, $39

HAIR

Whether you prefer short locks or long, there is bound to be a hairstyle perfect for your charity event this summer.

The Lob

The shoulder length bob has proven to be a popular style amongst A-list celebrities and you can choose sleek and chic or tousled and textured for your charity event.

Short Cut

Charlize, Shailene and Sharon showed that short hair is classy, sexy and flattering for women of all ages.

Braids

If the thought of chopping off your long locks is a little frightening, update your summer ‘do’ with a sexy and ‘undone’ braid for day or evening.

Chignons

From a tight and feminine ‘ballerina bun’ to a tousled and sexy loose chignon, the ‘up-do’ is always a beautiful option for summer hair.

Side Swept

British it-girl Cara Delevingne won best hair award at this year’s Met Gala Ball for her sexy side-swept do.  For those with long locks, copy Cara’s style easily – all you need is lots of pins and super-strong hairspray.

With the advent of hyper-styling and an almost ‘anything goes’ attitude towards fashion, a few occasions remain where certain style edicts still apply, one being the high tea.

High teas conjure images of flowers, frocks and femininity and your look must accompany the occasion and your surrounds and above all choose a style that says ‘elegant chic’.

A high tea provides you with the perfect opportunity to bring on 'the pretty' and the ultimate style accoutrement to champagne and delicate nibbles is a gorgeous frock in a pretty and feminine style.  No other outfit fits the occasion more appropriately and if you choose a ladylike frock with a nipped-in waist, a fitted ‘pencil’ or flowing skirt, delicate neckline and pretty sleeve, you may enter Best Dressed with confidence.

Soft fabrics of silk, chiffon and lace are best as are beautiful brocades and polished cottons in floral or delicate graphic patterns or pretty pastel hues.  For a little extra chic you may wish to add a few subtle embellishments such as sequins (but beware overkill).

If a 2-piece ensemble is more your style, then apply all the style rules above to your top and skirt and you will be sitting perfectly pretty whilst sipping your Perrier-Jouet.

Pants are also suitable option but strict rules apply, i.e. soft tailoring in fabrics that flow in wider leg or 'palazzo' styles.

Vintage-fashion is also a popular style for high-teas (think Mad Men) in full-skirted 50's style frocks or figure-hugging “Lana Turner-esque’ styles.  Complete the vintage-look with a string of pearls, dainty gloves and a pretty hat.

High-tea accessories should be elegant; 'delicate' jewellery such as pearls, crystals or fine silver or gold and please leave all chunky, ethnic or boho styles at home.  A hand-held clutch or small envelope-style bag in metallic or embellished finishes add a pretty statement.

For winter high-teas a classic pump is the perfect piece de resistance or for summer soirees opt for an elegant sandal.

Beauty rules for high teas are strict; aim for radiance with soft contouring and subtle illumination in soft shades such as nude, pink and apricot.  Finish off high-tea beauty with soft red lips and lots of fluttery lashes.  Avoid overdone makeup and save the glitter and winged eyes for Friday night clubbing.

Hairstyles should be elegant and groomed; a lovely chignon, Veronica Lake waves, or a fashionable pony-tail are perfect choices.

So what are the fashion faux pas for high teas?  Sharp tailoring, mini skirts, garish satin and too much skin.