White is the colour of the season and the flower of the day at the Caulfield Cup, but it was a yellow and green dress that had tongues wagging in the exclusive marquee area.
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The dress, by Australian designer label Thurley, was such a popular choice for the official start of the spring carnival, at least four women were seen in the botanical print, including Melanie Vallejo, star of Channel 7's Winners and Losers, and Amanda Gunnerson.
Both women (left with little choice) laughed it off – then scarpered to opposite sides of the David Jones tent.
Quite a few racegoers in the members' and Heath enclosure defied the Melbourne Racing Club midriff ban with no obvious consequences – just a few furtive looks from other, less brave, fashionistas.
Leather and lace – summed up as "pretty punk" – was another popular look.
The Chadstone Fashion Stakes winner, Crystal Kimber, scooped the main prize in a mint-green and white Peter Pilotto cape and handmade white full ball skirt.
Kimber won flights and accommodation for two to Royal Ascot valued at $19,000, plus gift vouchers and fashion prizes worth more than $15,000.
Fashions on the field judge and author of the blog Gary Pepper Girl, Nicole Warne, said she was pleased to see "ladies keep it refined and restrained, and so feminine".
Key looks on the stage included tailored pencil skirts, with a mid-calf hemline, florals and neoprene, in a salute to the luxe sports trend that is big this season.
Millinery was dominated by "hatinators" – with a teardrop base and sky-high accoutrements – and the more minimalist jewelled face veil and metal hair bands.
The most stylish men at the track opted for sharp blue suits, as David Jones pushed the boat out with an art nouveau-inspired marquee bedecked with plush furniture, luxe fixtures and thousands of white blooms.
The "expensive" setting, of course, was just the backdrop to the 450 hand-picked guests – a mix of loyal customers, footballers and their hyper-styled wives, Melbourne corporate identities, and pretty young things.
Luxury make-up brand Tom Ford created a pop-up beauty bar for women to touch up their eyes and lips, while the popular Stokehouse restaurant was responsible for the catering.
Football power couple Chris and Rebecca Judd made a predictably stylish entrance, he in an impeccably cut blue suit, and she decked out in brilliant red Victoria Beckham couture and a gold Suzy O'Rourke headpiece.
Model Montana Cox was statuesque in silver Dion Lee and a metallic spiked headpiece, also by Suzy O'Rourke.
Other guests included Jessica Gomes, Jason Dundas, Emma Freedman, Tom and Hoda Waterhouse, Swisse vitamins chief executive Radek Sali, David Jones CEO Iain Nairn, Australian designers Carla Zampatti, Bianca Spender, and Ginger & Smart designers Genevieve and Alexandra Smart. Dual former Miss Universe Australia's Scherri-Lee Biggs and Rachael Finch were to be found headed for the dance floor.
Even the coolest of the crowd were visibly excited when the "minx from Mentone", DJ Havana Brown, did a walk-by in preparation for her performance to close the proceedings.
Racegoers were, quite literally, encouraged to tear up the track by the Melbourne Racing Club, giving the go-ahead for the party to take place on the turf ahead of whole course renovations this week.
