The racing dress that shocked the world

DERBY Day! And it is 50 years since English model Jean “The Shrimp” Shrimpton shocked the global fashion establishment.

AUS50TH 1965: English model Jean Shrimpton (22) in famous mini-dress she wore to 1965 Melbourne Cup, outraging society matrons who also complained she wore no hat or gloves, now Mrs Michael Cox (52) has declined invitation to 1996 Melbourne Cup. Picture: Supplied

IT IS 50 years since English model Jean “The Shrimp” Shrimpton shocked the global fashion establishment.

Ms Shrimpton, a supermodel before the term was even invented - and once named the most beautiful girl in the world as well as being the highest-paid covergirl in Europe and the US - wore a white mini dress to Derby Day in 1965, when she attended the Flemington races with her then-partner, actor Terrence Stamp.

Model Jean Shrimpton & boyfriend, actor Terence Stamp at the 1965 Melbourne Cup

Totally and incredibly tame by any style standard now - and definitely compared to what we will see you over the next few days, Ms Shrimpton was without a hat, gloves or stockings. How shocking!

English model Jean Shrimpton in famous mini-dress she wore to 1965 Melbourne Cup, outraging society matrons who also complained she wore no hat or gloves.

Those three elements were absolute essentials half a century ago, but funnily when you look at her dress now, it could easily pass as an absolutely on-trend, race-worthy and very cool fashion “shift”.

Even more ahead of her time, The Shrimp was actually in Australia in an “ambassador” capacity, here on behalf of DuPont who were showcasing a new type of fabric that she had used on fashion pieces she had also designed.

Model Jean Shrimpton & Actor Terence Stamp in 1970's

Obviously, Ms Shrimpton wore the fabric – Orlon - every day of her race day appearances at Flemington.

Front page of The Sun newspaper

So, with that slice of race fashion history planted in our minds it will be interesting to see who wears what once the track opens well and truly for business today. Giddy up!

* Follow Melissa on Instagram and Twitter at @MelissaHoyer for all the Derby day action.