Melbourne Cup 2021: Hottest spring racing trends at Flemington Racecourse

The hottest spring racing trends of 2021: How pastel colours and power suits became the must-wear looks of the season at the Melbourne Cup – and it’s all about big BOWS for accessories

  • Lemon has emerged as the most popular colour of the spring racing carnival
  • Stars and punters flocked to Flemington Tuesday in the feminine sorbet shade 
  • Miss Universe Australia Olivia Molly Rogers contrasted with red accessories
  • Guests opted for a safer choice of white heels and gold jewellery


Yellow has emerged as the surprising colour trend of the 2021 spring racing carnival, with lemon the clear favourite at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup.

Stars and punters flocked to Flemington for the race that stops a nation in various iterations of the feminine sorbet shade, with statuesque model Olivia Molly Rogers leading the way in a figure-hugging collared dress. 

The former Miss Universe Australia, 29, contrasted with striking red accessories, while more faint-hearted guests played it safe with white heels and gold jewellery. 

Leading the charge: Former Miss Universe Australia Olivia Molly Rogers (pictured) wears a lemon collared dress and red accessories at Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday

A giddy punter (right) enjoys the sun at the Melbourne Cup dressed in body conscious lemon and a pearl headpiece

A giddy punter (right) enjoys the sun at the Melbourne Cup dressed in body conscious lemon and a pearl headpiece

While Australia typically trails behind Europe when it comes to current trends, this is one occasion where fashionistas Down Under appear to be ahead of the curve.

Renowned wedding planner Tanya Shaw recently predicted that lemon will be one of the standout shades for ceremonies in 2022.

‘I think we’ll see lots of soft pastels, like lilac, lemon, and shades of rose,’ she told Vogue.

Elsewhere at Flemington, the sartorial bar was set high early in the day by a glamourous attendee who burst through the turnstiles in a candy pink power suit. 

Yellow has dominated this year's spring racing carnival so far, with racegoers (third from right and right) opting for fluorescent neon and warm mustard

Yellow has dominated this year’s spring racing carnival so far, with racegoers (third from right and right) opting for fluorescent neon and warm mustard

White is the safest choice of accessory for a yellow ensemble, as this glamorous punter (right)  proved at Flemington on Tuesday

White is the safest choice of accessory for a yellow ensemble, as this glamorous punter (right)  proved at Flemington on Tuesday

Elsewhere at Flemington, the sartorial bar was set high early in the day by a glamourous attendee (right) who burst through the turnstiles in a candy pink power suit

Elsewhere at Flemington, the sartorial bar was set high early in the day by a glamourous attendee (right) who burst through the turnstiles in a candy pink power suit

Florals and striking prints were the order of the day for these friends at Flemington

Florals and striking prints were the order of the day for these friends at Flemington

Forgoing the traditional fascinator and frock combination in favour of a wide-brimmed cowboy hat and an edgy two-piece, the stylista had all eyes on her as she strutted trackside in a vertiginous pair of white stilettos.

Bows were the biggest news in the accessories department, with Delta Goodrem leading the charge in a mustard jumpsuit tied with an enormous ribboned belt.

Others incorporated bows into their outfits on fascinators, shoes, and elaborate handbags. 

Bows were the biggest news in the accessories department

Bows were the biggest news in the accessories department 

A gamble paid off for Delta Goodrem, 36, who wowed in a unique mustard jumpsuit embellished with an enormous pink bow that grazed the ground

A gamble paid off for Delta Goodrem, 36, who wowed in a unique mustard jumpsuit embellished with an enormous pink bow that grazed the ground

Verry Elleegant won the race that stops a nation at 3pm on Tuesday, claiming victory in thrilling fashion as he beat hot favourite Incentivise to the post. 

Incentivise was tipped as favourite leading into the 3200m race, but Verry Elleegant steamed past his rival on the final straight to secure a surprising victory. 

The main event was fought out by 23 runners in front of 10,000 fully-vaccinated racegoers after Matt Cumani-trained outsider Future Score showed signs of lameness. 

Around 70 per cent of attendees at the 161st Melbourne Cup were Victoria Racing Club members, with only five per cent of tickets offered to members of the public.

The rest of the crowd was made up of horse owners, corporate sponsors and trainers. 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk