The best and worst fashion moments from the Melbourne Cup

EACH year some people get it more right than others. Let’s take a look back at some of the most iconic Melbourne Cup looks.

2 min read

November 6, 2018 - 10:11AM

LIKE the Logie Awards and the Brownlow, the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival is one of the big ticket events when it comes to celebrity outfits.

The A-list right down to the who-the-hell-is-that-list? put their best foot forward at Flemington racecourse each year — rain, hail or searing sunshine (it’s Melbourne, so good luck predicting it).

It’s not just the weather that has to be battled. There’s the challenge of finding a hat or fascinator that has just the right amount of wow factor so you get photographed, but not too much so you look unhinged. It’s a fine line.

Each year some people get it more right than others. Let’s take a look back at some of the most iconic Melbourne Spring Racing looks.

Not so mellow yellow … Sonia Kruger in 2004.

Paris and Nicky Hilton at the Cup in 2003.

Let’s never forget the year someone shelled out for Paris and Nicky Hilton to attend the Cup

Rob Mills and Paris Hilton.

And then Paris hooked up with Millsy and made headlines! Money well spent.

Rob Mills.

Speaking of Rob Mills, that is quite a jacket he wore in 2016. Definitely not metal detector friendly.

Paris Jackson.

Paris Jackson charmed everyone in 2017.

Jennifer Hawkins.

Jennifer Hawkins, back in the day.

Jennifer Hawkins.

… in 2006.

2012 Jen Hawkins.

2012 Jen Hawkins

Jennifer Hawkins.

Hawkins in 2013. Less blue frosted eye shadow is definitely an improvement.

Jennifer Hawkins at the Cup. Picture: Jason Edwards

Ooh, the 2016 look was actually a cracker. Picture: Jason Edwards

Jennifer Hawkins.

The cat ears were definitely a look for a while there.

Jennifer Hawkins.

Jen Hawkins in a colour we like to call “highlighter yellow”. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis

Jennifer Hawkins in 2017.

Rachael Finch.

Rachael Finch went for licorice all-sort chic in 2015.

Elsa Pataky in 2016.

Elsa Pataky in 2016. Kind of ripped off Rachael Finch’s licorice allsort vibe. Picture: Jason Edwards

Nadia Bartel. Picture: Jason Edwards

Nadia Bartel put her Mega Sleeves on display. Picture: Jason Edwards

Sam Armytage. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis

Samantha Armytage in 2017.

Jodi Gordon show how to make pink work.

Melissa Doyle and Natalie Barr in 2004.

And more retro pink from Melissa Doyle and Natalie Barr in 2004.

Brynne and Geoffrey Edleston

Oh man, wasn’t this a wild ride? Brynne and Geoffrey Edleston

Brynne Edelsten. Picture By Julie Kiriacoudis

Vintage Brynne Edelsten. Picture By Julie Kiriacoudis

Brynne in 2011.

Brynne in 2011 … damn she likes pink

Gabi Grecko with Geoffrey Edelsten after he proposed to her on one knee in the Birdcage at Flemington Racecourse during the Melbourne Cup.

Gabi Grecko with Geoffrey Edelsten. We have seen that yellow suit somewhere before …

Darryn Lyons and his partner Elissa Friday.

Darryn Lyons and his partner Elissa Friday. They are shy, retiring types. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Jesinta Campbell.

Look at baby Jesinta Campbell!

Jesinta Campbell in 2012.

Jesinta Campbell again! Those shoes look wildly uncomfortable.

Gina Rinehart, before she took that infamous stumble down the stairs. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis

Kate Waterhouse in 2015.

Chloe Sevigny brought a little Hollywood chic. Melbourne Cup Day.

Terry Biviano in 2017.

Flemington Hall of Fame inductee: Bec Hewitt

Leyton Hewitt’s wife is not scared to push the fashion envelope and each year she is one to watch in the birdcage. She aint scared of a pop of colour or an OTT hat, and for that we love her.