Michelle Payne oozes elegance in a one-shoulder frock and fascinator at Melbourne Cup 

Like many celebrities, Michelle Payne has suffered her fair share of red carpet flops over the years. 

But the champion jockey, 35, proved she’s earned her sartorial stripes on Tuesday as she attended the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne.  

Michelle, who became the first female Melbourne Cup winner in 2015, oozed sophistication as she arrived in a black-and-grey jacquard printed mini-dress and black hatinator.  

Michelle’s one-shouldered frock perfectly clung to her petite frame, and featured a single, pointed shoulder pad. 

Looking every inch the sporting golden girl, Michelle completed her look with pair of elegant drop earrings and a pop of dramatic orange eye shadow. 

While Michelle nailed her race day look, there were plenty of other celebrity guests who failed to impress.   

Reality stars made major missteps, with SAS reject Arabella Del Busso donning what appeared to be a short version of Jennifer Lopez‘s showstopping Versace dress which led to the creation of Google image search after she wore it to the 42nd Grammy Awards in 2000. 

But the imitation chosen by the 30-year-old ex-girlfriend of NRL star Josh Reynolds didn’t have quite the same impact, thanks to the combination of a slashed neckline and thigh-skimming hemline that looked more appropriate for a nightclub than the biggest day of spring racing.

It’s not clear which event the lingerie model was attending, if any. 

TV personalities also raised eyebrows with unfortunate wardrobe malfunctions, with Network 10 host Georgie Coghlan ruining her beautiful puff-sleeved midi-dress with unusual accessories: iridescent silver stilettos and a pink baker-style beret that didn’t match her chic, up-styled hair.

Meanwhile MTV presenter Kate Peck seemed to have taken style tips from Lady Gaga, slipping her slender physique into an avant garde corseted midi-dress with cut-outs above both breasts and a mesh veil covering her entire face at a photocall for the GH Mumm event at Pier One in Sydney.

Even beauty queens got it wrong, with 2018 Miss Universe Australia Francesca Hung swamping her arms in billowing chiffon sleeves that did little to flatter what would have otherwise been a stunning pink dress at the same Sydney event. 

The 26-year-old model wore a flawless face of makeup but her upper body was lost in a shroud of sheer fabric.

Fellow catwalk queen Izi Simundic arrived at Pier One in a frilled black mini-dress and a peaked hat better suited to the racecourse than the red carpet.

She slung a Saint Laurent chain bag across her body and wore her hair down and straight, highlight her model features.

Bachelor in Paradise star Britney Weldon went for a polka dot dress with frills and sheer panelling which stretched dangerously high up her legs, leaving her at risk of exposing more than she bargained for at Brisbane’s Spring Racing Carnival.