Spring colours pop in the rain at the Melbourne Cup

MELBOURNE Cup fashion was true to its tradition of being bold, colourful and fun at Flemington racecourse. Birdcage pictures

Lauren Phillips

MELBOURNE Cup fashion was true to its tradition of being bold, colourful and fun at Flemington.

The skies may have been grey but the fashions were far from it, with popping neon colours, pastel shades, peplums, leather and lace the key trends.

Actress and designer Mischa Barton swept into the Emirates marquee in an ankle-length burgundy and gold Ellery gown and Philip Treacy headpiece.

She wasn't the only celebrity sporting a long hemline trackside, with Swisse ambassador Delta Goodrem choosing a pink Dior dress to cover bandages on her legs from a hot water burn over the weekend.

Rebecca Judd

Apart from her injury, Goodrem admitted to being one of the most comfortable women at Flemington in ballet flats.

"It (the burns) worked in my favour, even if I am walking a bit like a gangster," she says.

Eye-catching celebs hit Flemington

Standouts in the celebrity style stakes included Winners and Losers star Melanie Vallejo in a pale grey leather Camilla and Marc dress and Jill and Jack cream and popping neon yellow leather headpiece and Jennifer Hawkins in a mauve Toni Maticevski dress and fun black-beaded headpiece.

Lauren Phillips

Pictures: Inside the Birdcage

Pictures: Fun before the long run

Pictures: Fashion lovers frock up

Myer racing ambassador Rebecca Judd was bursting with colour in a floral print Nicola Finetti dress and Kerri Stanley hat, while Kyly Clarke, the wife of Aussie cricket captain Michael Clarke, glowed in an eye-catching orange dress by boutique@HS and Nerida Winter headpiece.

Jennifer Hawkins

Peplums and pants were popular, with Pia Miranda in a floral Lisa Ho pantsuit and Swisse ambassador Ashley Hart in an edgy cream sass&bide combo with gold belt.

Racegoers showcase colours of season

Myer Fashions on the Field resembled a racewear runway with on-trend colours including sherbert tones, acid hues and pop brights.

Hot pink, lime green and neon yellow were standouts while flowers and feathers were popular in headwear.

The women's racewear winner was Lauren Andrews, 23, from Frankston South who wore a navy and chartreuse Erdem dress and Kim Fletcher headpiece.

In a thrifty move, Ms Andrews chose to recycle her outfit from the Caulfield Cup. Despite not making it to the final at Caulfield, Ms Andrews will now compete in the National Fashions on the Field on Crown Oaks Day.

Mischa Barton

"I figured it was too nice not to wear again, I liked it too much to not give it another go," she said.

Melbourne designer Craig Braybrook took out the Design Award with a '60s-inspired yellow and white peplum dress with Kerrie Stanley headpiece.

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Jesinta Campbell