Suits, frocks and anything in between will be judged under the same category as a Riverina town's best-dressed competition is set to become gender neutral. or signup to continue reading A shake-up in the means men and women will compete against each other in each award category at the November 15 event. "Instead of the gender-based categories of previous years, all genders are encouraged to enter any category, based on the attire they prefer," a Gundagai-Adelong Racing Club statement said.
The move came as men's categories were struggling to garner enough entrants, with the male categories sometimes being dropped altogether. Opening the categories up to both men and women will keep the competition focused on fashion, according to co-ordinator Renee Lindley. "A lot of the Victorian clubs have been doing it and have found it to be a really good change," Ms Lindley said.
"We've also found that doing specific categories, particularly for the men, has not brought a big following." The new categories will be best dressed local, best dressed visitor, best suited and best headwear. The is expected to draw a large crowd of thousands this year, including many entrants to the fashion competition.
One man set to suit up to compete, Tumut's Jeff Hanson, said he was pleased the gender-neutral categories mean men have the opportunity to join the competition. He said it was a pity when not enough men put their hands up to enter. "Some years they haven't had it and it's just disappointing not.
