NewsBite

Christian Wilkins has debuted his bold Melbourne Cup Day outfit

The 27-year-old model promised to “break” the rules at Melbourne Cup – and he’s delivered on his word with this controversial outfit.

In the Birdcage on Melbourne Cup Day 2022

VRC’s newest ambassador Christian Wilkins has followed on from his hugely successful Derby Day outfit with a stunning green ensemble for the Cup.

The 27-year-old model son of Channel 9 presenter Richard Wilkins chose a pastel green tailored silk suit worn with dark green platform heels and a red bow tie.

He wore his signature long blonde locks in tousled waves, finishing the head-turning outfit with a shimmering tiara and a small brown handbag.

Interestingly, Christian opted for a colour historically deemed to be “bad luck” at Melbourne Cup, with those who wear it deemed to be “brave souls” according to style experts, as green is too similar to the track.

Christian Wilkins arrived at the 2022 Lexus Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse. Picture: Jason Edwards
Christian Wilkins arrived at the 2022 Lexus Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse. Picture: Jason Edwards

Clearly, Christian isn’t afraid of race day restrictions, previously telling news.com.au he planned to “break” the Cup carnival’s previous gender-bound rules this year.

“I feel like [the cup carnival] was so guided by these very strict, gender-bound rules and to break that open and just allow people to express themselves how they want to be, that’s such a key ethos that I live my life by,” Wilkins told news.com.au.

“I definitely think we’re a bit slow on the uptake, but having an institution like VRC [Victoria Racing Club] which is so historic, so ingrained in our culture, to recognise that change, it’s a big step in a good direction and it makes me so excited to be the face of that.”

For Derby Day, he wore black trousers paired with a strapless silk top, complete with a statement headpiece worn over a slicked-back hairstyle, as well as full-length sheer gloves.

He got a lot of congratulations for his outfit at the event, with many calling the look “spectacular” and calling Christian a “superstar”.

Christian has worn bold outfits for racing season, for instance a $1900 three-piece non-gendered suit from Tommy Hilfiger’s Richard Quinn collection for an October race day.

The trousers cost $799, while the turtleneck shirt – which featured built-in gloves – and blazer were both $549.

Christian wore green for the occasion. Picture: Sam Tabone/Getty Images
Christian wore green for the occasion. Picture: Sam Tabone/Getty Images

He finished the look with a pair of silver sunglasses, heeled boots and a $799 studded bag from the same Tommy Hilfiger collection.

Christian’s role as an ambassador – as well as his stylish ensembles – come after the VRC ditched its gendered categories for the Fashion on the Fields competition.

In 2022, the women’s and men’s racewear competitions will instead be the best dressed and best suited awards, with all genders encouraged to enter either category based on their unique personal style.

This is set to make things more inclusive, while still keeping the competition alive, seeing many women at Tuesday’s race opting for suits.

Originally published as Christian Wilkins has debuted his bold Melbourne Cup Day outfit

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/christian-wilkins-has-debuted-his-bold-melbourne-cup-day-outfit/news-story/f73408d7b2f39d6e5c1727043fa4c9e0