By Suzanne Carbone
The day was temperamental. Like it couldn't decide if it was Oaks Day or Blokes Day.
Your best friend wasn't someone who could give you a prized pass into the Birdcage but lend you an umbrella for Soaks Day, which alternated with the sunny and humid tropics.
On the public lawn, the essential accessory was a plastic poncho and a sense of resignation about a miserable drenching. A plastic flute of sparkling wine easily elevated the mood.
By day three of the carnival, the international star power in the marquees is on the wane but Swisse presented United States actor Kevin Dillon.
Actor Kevin Dillon and model Ashley Hart pose at the Swisse Marquee on Oaks Day.Credit: Getty Images
After some celebrities were too shy to give interviews or answer specific questions on Derby and Cup Day, the star of the hit TV show Entourage, who plays Johnny Drama, was friendly and forthcoming.
He was greeted in the Swisse marquee by a lightning bolt of camera flashes.
I had to get this question out of the way: how many in his entourage? "I have three - it's very small," Dillon said.
The brother of actor Matt Dillon knows how big the Melbourne Cup Carnival is because he was in Australia in 1994, shooting the film No Escape on Cup Day.
Jennifer Hawkins in the Myer Marquee at the Birdcage on Oaks Day at Flemington Racecourse.Credit: Cameron Spencer
"I wondered 'Why are people getting the day off?' "
It would be un-Australian not to.
After the storm, comes the sun.Credit: Justin McManus
In typical Melbourne style, the rain vanished and unveiled a sunny sky. Channel Seven news presenter Rebecca Maddern summed up what we were all thinking: "Why are we so hot right now?"
Well-placed to assess whether it was Oaks Day or Blokes Day, Myer ambassador Kris Smith said: "It's a bit of both. It's a day that we admire the women and the blokes are there so they can admire."
Ashleigh Barri braves the elements.Credit: Eddie Jim
Mr Smith extended the Oaks Day-themed pink rose to the colour of his underwear. He did a slight reveal in the marquee and unzipped enough to show his pink undies. Not that I was looking.
The most precious space in the Birdcage is the fully flushing bathroom in the British-themed Emirates marquee and the demarcation on the men's and women's doors says Kings and Queens.
One way to avoid getting your clothes wet.Credit: Channel Seven
There is a benevolence policy that allows VIP guests from other marquees to use the facilities and the roll call includes Hilary Swank, Jennifer Hawkins and Kevin Dillon.
Ms Hawkins arrived at the Myer marquee unfashionably late by almost an hour and was resplendent in a baby blue dress by Daniel Avakian​ and headpiece by Viktoria Novak.
Hats off to Sonya Alba-Miller.Credit: Justin McManus
Professor Google assisted in identifying the other international guests. Emirates hosted British singer Aston Merrygold, a graduate of the X Factor machine whose single is called Get Stupid.
That could be a synonym for many things on a soggy Oaks Day.
The Mumm marquee hosted American TV personality, Brody Jenner, the son of Caitlyn Jenner, the woman who used to be Bruce Jenner before a sex change.
Equivalent to winning a Miss Universe sash is Fashions on the Field. You don't need to be dressed by a designer to win the national final after Emily Hunter, 28, from Victoria claimed the sash with a navy and black dress made by her mother Angela. The headpiece was by milliner Lisa Schaefer.
After being declared the winner by Myer's Jennifer Hawkins, an emotional Emily was lost for words. "I'm so proud of Mum," she said. "I'm in shock. I feel overwhelmed."
Mrs Hunter made the dress in 27 hours using Italian jacquard, and her handiwork is only a hobby because she is a kindergarten teacher.
To help ease Emily's shock is a prize pool that includes a $75,000 Lexus and $6000 to spend at Myer.
In second place was South Australia's Gabriella De Ieso, and third place was NSW's Whitney Berry.