Never Forget These Celebs Created National Headlines Just Because Of Their Melbourne Cup Carnival Outfits

Ahh, the Melbourne Cup Carnival. It’s the race that stops the nation, and it’s also an opportunity to show up, glow up and get your glad rags on.

While the annual Thoroughbred horse race has spawned many winners, on and off the track, it has also provided plenty of headline-grabbing fashion statements that we’re still talking about today.

We can never forget these celebs who made national headlines purely for their daring Melbourne Cup Carnival outfits:

1965: Jean Shrimpton

At the time, women were expected to wear a hat, stockings and gloves to the ultra-conservative event. Thinking it was too hot and  “nobody’s going to take any notice,” Shrimpton went without stockings, gloves, or a hat. Without enough fabric to complete the full look, Shrimpton and dressmaker Colin Rolfe opted for a simple shift dress that was not only sleeveless, but sat a daring 10cm above the knee.

To this day, the moment is considered to be a pivotal moment in women’s fashion.

2017: Paris Jackson

Michael Jackson’s daughter Paris was the international guest at the 2017 Melbourne Cup – but not everything went according to plan. The 21-year-old was supposed to wear a red dress from Aussie designer Alex Perry, but instead turned up in a rust-coloured frilly number from Myer-stocked brand, Morrison. When asked why, Jackson said she “wasn’t a fan” of the design. 

Later, Jackson was shot pulling faces at photographers from the VIP Birdcage Marquee. We love a free-spirited queen. 

2014: Gabi Grecko & Geoffrey Edelsten

Geoffrey Edelsten and his former fiancée Gabi Grecko had tongues wagging after their appearance at the 2014 Melbourne Cup. Not only did the American reality TV star, model and DJ rock up wearing a sequin and feather-encrusted mini dress, but her much-older +1 Geoffrey Edelsten accompanied her in a bright yellow velvet suit. 

The cherry on top of an already OTT cake was when Edelsten got down on one knee and proposed to Grecko in the middle of the Cup. The pair tied the knot a year later, but reportedly split after just four months of marriage. 

2010: Brynne Edelsten and Geoffrey Edelsten

Sadly, it’s not the first time we’ve been blinded by swathes of yellow velvet at the Melbourne Cup. In 2010, Geoffrey Edelsten attended the annual horse race with his ex-wife, Brynn Edelsten. 

Same velvet suit, different gal – and an even brighter feather headdress. Much like Edelsten’s relationship with Grecko, the marriage didn’t last, but their attention-grabbing race day looks will live on in our memories forever.

2003: Paris Hilton

In 2003, Paris Hilton and her sister Nicky were international guests at the Melbourne Cup. in classic early noughties fashion, the heiress turned up wearing a top hat, low-slung skirt and sheer halter neck.

While Hilton’s outfit made headlines, so did her activities on the day. The 2003 event was where she famously met Robert ‘Millsy’ Mills, still seeing out his 15 minutes of Australian Idol fame. It’s safe to say, the pair immediately hit it off and later shared one night of ~passion~

2016: Rob Mills

Thirteen years later, Millsy made his Cup comeback with another risky statement: a blazer embellished with tiny little Melbourne Cups. Genius.

2006: Bec Hewitt

Former Home and Away star and Lleyton Hewitt’s wife, Bec Hewitt, broke all the old fashioned rules in 2006 when she rocked up to the Melbourne Cup wearing a pair of white shorts paired with a cut-out bra top. In the ensuing years, Hewitt has proven herself unafraid of pop colours and bold fashion statements, and there is no choice but to Stan.

This year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival kicks off on Saturday November 2^nd to 9^th. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to see what kind of trackside fashion we’ll be served this time around.