Rebecca Judd and Nadia Bartel stole the show as they led the celebrity arrivals at Derby Day held at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne on Saturday.
The Queen of WAGs stunned in a strapless white gown which hugged her torso and showed off her assets.
She looked a classic beauty in her large hat, with the former Nine News presenter, 41, clutching a tiny white designer handbag as she flaunted the cape draping from her sleeves.
The mother-of-four, who is married to retired AFL star Chris, showed off her massive wedding ring as she elevated her look with a pair of chunky gold earrings.
She opted for her usual natural makeup look, slicking on a smoky eye and nude lip, while tucking her long tresses behind her ears.
Meanwhile, friend Nadia, 39, who is the ex-wife to AFL star Jimmy, matched her dear friend in an angelic white dress which featured a plunging neckline.
The Henne co-founder donned a more conservative sleeve with her shoulders completely covered by a tall collar.
She opted for a touch of black in her elegant look, hiding her dark locks beneath a wide-brimmed black hat which matched her chunky earrings, heels, and Saint Laurent handbag.
Elsewhere, Lindy Klim looked every inch the Balinese Princess she is as she arrived at the 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival kickoff event wearing a gold crown.
She opted for an all-black look with a cropped jacket over a very form-fitting dress that highlighted her athletic figure.
The former catwalk star, 45, complemented her look with a designer handbag and a simple gold ring, elegantly styling her dark hair slicked back beneath her crown.
Samantha Armytage also made an appearance, looking stunning in her unique duo-chrome ensemble.
The former Farmer Wants A Wife host, 48, opted for a conservative maxi dress which featured a white collar and short sleeves.
A black belt accentuated her waist, while she carried a white designer bag.
Her blonde tresses were meticulously straightened and tucked behind her ears, adorned with a white fascinator that matched her flats perfectly.
Olivia Molly Rogers looked angelic in an all-white dress which featured a strapless neckline and floral fixtures.
The former Miss Universe Australia, 32, let her genetically blessed features do all the talking as she slicked her dark locks back with a chunky white fascinator headband.
She opted for a glamorous makeup look, complete with a smoky eye and glossy nude lip, and carried a small white clutch in her hand.
Michael Clarke and Arabella Sherborne and Michael Clarke attended their first public event as a couple.
The former cricketer, 43, looked dashing in a black and white suit while his girlfriend, 32, slipped into a black embossed dress with a matching designer handbag.
Additionally, newly engaged couple Josh Daicos and Annalise Dalins attended the races, dressed in matching monochrome outfits.
The AFL WAG, 23, was all smiles as she donned a wide-brimmed fascinator with intricate cutouts.
Posing up a storm for the cameras, the social media star slipped her figure into a white halter neck dress as she carried a black handbag over her shoulder.
Rocking a natural makeup look, she elevated her ensemble with several pieces of staple gold jewellery.
Anna Heinrich and Tim Robards wore contrasting looks as they graced the Birdcage.
Anna, 37, wore a unique white strapless Mariam Seddiq gown, while Tim, 42, looked sharp in an oversized charcoal Marle suit.
Emma McKeon made a splash as she ruined her $10,000 Dior gown when she popped a bottle of Champagne.
The retired Olympic swimmer, 30, looked dazzling in her black designer frock just moments before it exploded all over her.
Despite the very expensive mistake, the athlete was all smiles as she laughed off the gaffe.
Elsewhere, Tayla Broad (née Damir) opted for an all-black look instead as she hid her eyes behind a pair of dark sunglasses.
The former Love Island star, 27, put on a leggy display in a short halter neck dress which featured a plunging neckline.
Rocking a very natural makeup look, the model practised sun safety with a wide-brimmed black hat, curling her brunette tresses into soft waves down her back.
Tayla kept her accessories to a minimum as she carried a silver clutch in hand and a matching chunky bracelet.
Brooke Warne and her boyfriend Alex Heath put on a show-stopping display at the glamorous event.
The daughter, 27, of late great cricketer Shane Warne opted for a black frock with a white collar while her partner looked dashing in a white suit.
Her brother Jackson, 25, also looked exquisite in a black suit and tie as he was joined by girlfriend Kiah Broadsmith.
Races veteran Kate Waterhouse put on a stunning display as she stepped out with a wide-brimmed white fascinator tilted atop her head.
The journalist, 40, who is the daughter of horse trainer Gai Waterhouse, slipped into a white dress covered in swinging tassels for the occasion.
She flaunted her massive diamond wedding ring as she opted for a natural makeup look.
Erin Holland looked angelic in an ankle length white gown with a matching wide-brimmed fascinator.
The former Miss World Australia, 35, accessorised with a pair of gold heels as she slipped on a set of dark sunglasses.
The brunette beauty opted for a plunging neckline and loose off-the-shoulder sleeves.
Radio star Lauren Phillips put on a busty display as she slopped into a black gown featuring several cutouts and a thigh high split.
The presenter, who boasts several Hollywood friends including Matt Damon, Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky, rocked a pair of killer point toed heels to complete her look.
Channel Nine star Francesca Cumani also made a stunning arrival during the 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival kickoff event.
The presenter, 41, turned heads in an off-the-shoulder A-line dress which gave her a beautifully classic silhouette.
Her Rebecca Vallance frock followed the black and white theme perfectly as it featured a stunning white bust which draped down into long black skirts.
Francesca accessorised with simple black pumps and pearl earrings as she donned a rounded white fascinator with a black bow.
The brunette beauty tucked her tresses behind her ears and slicked on a bold red lip to elevate her opulent look.
The horse racing presenter was all smiles as she prepared for the week ahead, opting for a baby pink manicure and a silver bracelet to complete her ensemble.
Derby Day’s history begins across the pond more than two centuries ago in 1787 when the Earl of Derby’s horse won the race while wearing black and white colours.
In 1910, King Edward died and in true Edwardian fashion racegoers swapped out their best clothes for black, the colour traditionally associated with mourning.
‘The women wore white flowers or pearls,’ celebrity stylist Donny Galella told NewsWire.
The story suggests this is where the black and white dress theme for Derby Day began.
However, it’s entirely possible our penchant for black and white dressing on race day kickoff actually started with a humble advertisement.
That’s right, an advertisement found in a 1960 copy of Australian Women’s Weekly may have truly fast-tracked our strict black and white dress code for Derby Day.
At the time, Melbourne Cup attendees were offered a chance to win a £200 wardrobe prize (worth more than AUD$7,000 today) for best dressed.
The catch was that participants had to wear black and white to celebrate the Black & White whiskey manufactured by collaborator James Buchanan and Co.
The trend soon became a staple for Derby Day, with punters sticking to the duo-chrome colour palette for decades.
While Derby Day may be the strictest of all dress codes, it’s far from the only event during the spring racing carnival with a theme.
Melbourne Cup is all about bright colours and patterns while Oaks Day, also known as Ladies’ Day, encourages women to wear ‘all things feminine‘.
The final day of the week, Stakes Day, is far more relaxed, and while some rules are in place, it’s nothing compared with the kick-off event of the season.
The Melbourne Cup, the race that stops a nation, is one of the most fashionable of the year.
This is where Fashions on the Field comes into play.
First established in 1960, Fashions on the Field rewards the best-dressed punter with a prize, prompting racegoers to wear their boldest, most fabulous outfits.
‘Between black and white for Derby, the Melbourne Cup is the opposite,’ Mr Galella laughed.
This means wearing ‘bright, vibrant colours’ to celebrate spring and taking a step out of your comfort zone with your outfit.
Fashion trends may have changed over the decades, but the love of bright colours and patterns has stayed persistent during Melbourne Cup.
