The best and worst dressed in the Melbourne Cup Birdcage as ‘nude’ corsets, over-the-top bows and futuristic frocks take centre stage

• Celebrities put on a show trackside at the Melbourne Cup 
• READ MORE: 2023’s most controversial spring racing trend

The first Tuesday of November may be most famous for ‘the race that stops a nation’ – but this year the who’s who of Australia’s social scene ensured passers-by were stopping for an entirely different reason.

Some of the biggest names in sport and television turned up to the Birdcage on Tuesday, dressed to the nines for the most famous event in the Melbourne spring racing calendar.

And while many put on a daring display that pleased the eye, others didn’t quite nail their ‘fit for the big day.

Crystal Kimber made an early lead in the race for ‘worst dressed’, later joined by Demi Brereton and Jessie Murphy in equally questionable garb.

DJ and pharmacist Perri Lee was off track with this unique look. She bared-all in a sheer corset bodice that barely covered her midriff 

Crystal Kimber made an early shot at worst dressed with this outfit which featured a few too many bows (left) while Demi Brereton failed to impress with an unusual neck piece 

Crystal Kimber and Demi Brereton have plenty in common, with both of the stunning women judging fashions on the field in the past. Demi’s latest stint was at Derby Day on Saturday.

Despite this they both misjudged their own outfits on the day.

Crystal’s dress, shoes and headpiece were gorgeous as stand alone pieces, but there were so many elements it made it hard for any one part to shine on its own. 

AFL WAG Jessie Murphy proved you can nail one day of the races and land on the worst dressed list the next with this futuristic red mini dress

Melissa Leong and Bec Harding both landed on the worst dressed lists with their lack lustre outfits 

Demi wore a gorgeous off-shoulder red dress but her decision to add a sheer scarf to the outfit tainted the otherwise perfect look.

The outfit was finished off with a pleasant red hat and some simple black heels which were appropriate for the day. 

Jessie Murphy arrived later in a futuristic red mini dress which had so many sharp features it took away from the finished look.

The red dress had an overly structured skirt, heavy duty shoulder pads and a sharp oversized collar. The dress featured a heap of round buttons which made it look too tight and uncomfortable.

While many wore read right Annalise Dalins joined the pool of women who didn’t quite nail the race day dress code while splashing out in the vibrant colour.

Annalise’s dress, an Oglia Loro Couture number, looked better suited to a glamorous Christmas party than the track.

Josh Daicos and Annalise Dalins were delivering Christmas Day vibes rather than Spring Carnival energy 

Mia Fevola and Samantha Jade made late appearances on the worst dressed lists

Jessie wore clashing dark red shoes and finished the look off with a cute bow and stylish multi-coloured purse. 

DJ Perri Lee also misjudged the mood trackside with an odd gold number which seemed to pool at her feet.

The dress featured mermaid-style cups for the DJ’s bust this was connected to a sheer corset. The look was finished off with a matching yellow choker yellow chain bag and a large hat which closely resembled a satin cushion. 

Samantha Jade also appeared to be going with the Little Mermaid theme in a high-shine purple gown which draped awkwardly around her ankles. 

Mia Fevola also appeared to be channeling her inner child with this sweet look though it didn’t quite work for race day.

The tulip dress made the petit blonde look off balance as she posed for the camera. 

Melissa Leong’s outfit didn’t quite flow. And while the star’s makeup, Botegga Venetta shoes and Yves Saint Laurent bag were on point the Alexander McQueen dress, Stephen Jones hat and slicked down hair were not up to par. 

Rebecca Harding played it so safe she landed in the humdrum zone with her boring race day look.

Her hair and makeup was on point however, and despite the poor choice of dress the stunning Aussie celebrity glowed. 

Brit Selwood, who is usually in the best dressed mentions, didn’t quite find race day magic with this look

Delta Goodrem’s hair, makeup and accessories were all on point for the big race – but her dress was slightly off key

Rebecca Maddern wore a garish striped dress – a far cry from her usual on-point style

Rebecca Maddern’s look certainly fitted in with the splash of colour and fun Melbourne Cup is known for but didn’t quite fit the bill.

Delta Goodrem’s hair, makeup and accessories  were all on point for the big race – but her dress was slightly off key.

The Innocent Eyes hitmaker wore a long, highly sculpted yellow gown with a plunging neckline, shoulder detail and long sleeves.

The dress continued to flow down below the knees, swamping Delta’s trim figure is a sea of yellow. It may have complemented the singer better had it been cut off at the knee – but as it were, proved that there’s such thing as ‘a little too much of a good thing’. 

AFL WAG Brit Selwood also left something to be desired with her outfit choice for the day.

The short grey-blue dress featured a large diamante-encrusted cutout which almost bared the young woman’s entire chest.

The And.Bear dress was handmade by the Australian designers for the event – and even featured a tag inside which said ‘For Brit’. 

Soccer star Cortnee Vine failed to score a winning goal in her oversized pink suit

Celebrity stylist Lana Wilkinson also found herself raising eyebrows with a blush designer gown which left her looking slightly too bronzed and awkward.

The peplum-esque strapless gown was paired with plain black heels, a black bag and stylish bow.

Cortnee Vine may be a hero on the soccer field but when it came to dressing up for the races the 25-year-old Matilda’s star failed to do herself justice. 

She chose a pink oversized SIR the Label suit which made her look washed out and clashed with her gorgeous auburn locks. She paired the over-sized suit with a hot pink Nerida Winter hat which appeared to be sitting on top of a head wrap. 

Before she headed trackside Cortnee excitedly posted a picture of the outfit laid out with the caption ‘a different changeroom to what I am used to’.

Science fiction writer Damien Broderick took advantage of the new rules allowing men to wear shorts but the outfit didn’t quite hit the mark. Fashion stylist Aaron Mitchell took a risk with his outfit and also ended up on the worst dressed list

Science fiction writer Damien Broderick took advantage of the new rules allowing men to wear shorts but the outfit didn’t quite hit the mark.

The shorts were paired with a jacket which was an awkward hybrid of formal and hiking apparel. He finished his look off with brown shoes without socks and a cream hat.

Aaron Mitchell took a gamble with his outfit on race day – landing the stylist on the worst dressed list.

His black suit was adorned with red string detailing which matched the red detail on his feathered fascinator.

Best dressed 

Others looked perfect trackside in their well planned ensembles.

Kate Waterhouse and Emma Freedman showed they truly know how to stand out in a crowd for all the right reasons.

As did Hannah Dal Sasso who looked incredible in an Oglia Loro Couture gown. The dress was paired perfectly with a large pink hat and matching bag and pointed shoes.

The dress ticked the race day corset trend as well as the structured dress trend and was one of the best trackside looks of the day. 

Hannah Dal Sasso infront of the Schweppes marquee at the Birdcage 

Kate looked incredible in a cream blazer dress by Mariam Seddiq

Emma Freedman also made it on the best dressed list with her ‘lady in red’ moment

Princess Diana’s nieces Lady Eliza Spencer and Lady Amelia Spencer looked stunning in their matching red race day gowns 

Kate made an early appearance wearing a stunning cream blazer dress by designer Mariam Seddiq, she coupled it with a cream Burlgari purse and topped it off with a broad hat by award winning milliner ‘Somewhere Here’. 

Emma Freedman took a risk by dressing head-to-toe in red on the day and it paid off.

The media personality looked incredible in her tea-length dress and simple floral hat. Se finished the look with a pair of red and black sandals. 

Georgina Burke took a risk with this tight fitting dress and giant head piece but came out a winner

Princess Diana’s nieces Lady Eliza Spencer and Lady Amelia Spencer looked stunning in their matching red race day gowns.

Lady Eliza chose the less is more approach with fine black veil and nude shoes while Amelia made the most of her mini dress by pairing it with sky-high stilettos.

She added a simple red headband to finish the look. 

Georgina Burke, who has been dubbed Australia’s next Jennifer Hawkins, looked incredible in her purple body-con dress which featured an intriguing high neckline.

She paired the dress with a full orange floral head piece and long gloves taking a risk with the colour clashing outfit.

The model played it safe on Derby Day – both looks landed her on the best dressed lists. 

Real Housewives star Terry Biviano stunned in her lady in red outfit – with her shoes, lips and bag all carefully matched to her stunning gown

Olympia Valance took a risk which paid off when she put n her plum inspired evening gown – turning it into day wear with appropriate shoes and a hat while Olivia Molly Rogers looked perfect in her orange heart-shaped gown

Amy Pejkovic recovered from her Derby Day disaster by channeling Barbie for Melbourne Cup Day.

She wore a tasteful pink tea-length strapless dress which featured an eye catching bust detail.

She paired that with a pink head band and pale gold shoes and a matching metallic clutch. 

Real Housewives star Terry Biviano stunned in her lady in red outfit – with her shoes, lips and bag all carefully matched to her stunning gown. 

The Melbourne Cup is the second event in the city’s Spring Racing calendar.

The first, Derby Day, was held on Saturday but despite being famous for being ‘easy’ to dress for some celebrities were still out of style.

Pip Edwards, Christian Wilkins and Nadia Bartel all stood out for the wrong reason in their black and white outfits on the day. 

READ MORE: Live – Melbourne Cup Day as it happens

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