Predominantly worn by women, hats are becoming a growing trend among male race-goers, and there has been no compromise on style.

Parabuntal twist: Drag the hat image left or right to see it from all angles

Owner of Sydney’s Strand Hatters, Robert Carroll, who has been creating men’s and women’s hats for 23 years, has noticed the change in men’s racing style.

"I think a hat adds a lot. It tops off a man’s racing outfit," Mr Carroll said.

"The classic Fedora is what's really popular at the races this year,” Mr Carroll said.

Panama: Drag the hat image left or right to see it from all angles

“There used to be the smaller brim but now the brims are getting a little bit wider."

The 'Indiana Jones' look has been popular of late, and Mr Carroll recommended a Fedora as the easiest way to achieve the style.

"Semi-porkpies or cigar crease is your classic Fedora, the Indiana Jones look. Usually the brim goes up at the back as opposed to down so that it's a little bit dressier and a little bit more 'races' than 'Indiana'."

For a modern look with a classic edge, Mr Carroll suggested a trilby, which he said had also been a popular choice for men – especially as an addition to their Spring Racing Carnival attire.

"People are wearing them quite forward and others are wearing them quite backward - like the Rat Pack,” he said.

Turquoise picture hat: Drag the hat image left or right to see it from all angles

"The other thing is [men] love accessories - so hats, braces, bowties, cufflinks, ties… Hats are a big part of that, and they have been for decades."

Milliner and owner of Embellish Atelier in Sydney, Catherine Kelly, said for women, larger-style hats were expected to make a comeback.

“People have done a few years of wearing fascinators and they now feel braver to wear bigger headpieces,” she said.

Akubra 'Speak Easy': Drag the hat image left or right to see it from all angles

“They are feeling very encouraged to wear hats because they’re really flattering. People really notice when you wear a flat-brim hat.”

In the case of race wear, there is an eclectic mix this season, with everything from pastels to bold colour-blocking and the usual black and white combinations.

But are hats really necessary to complete a race look?

“What you’re looking for in an outfit is the whole design, the unity and harmony and I think that the hat can be used to create balance and line and proportion and all those things that you need if you’re going to have a perfectly balanced and harmonious outfit,” Ms Kelly said.

“A hat is the crowning glory.”

Ms Kelly recommended ladies splurged on a custom hat, professionally made.

“You can get hats online but you’re not going to get that same attention to detail that you would in a couture hat,” she said.

“A good-quality hat makes you look a million dollars.”

For those planning to enter fashions on the field, Mr Carroll said sticking to Australian designers was the best bet.