The attendees at Derby Day wore black, white and blue hands as temperatures sank and wind and rain threatened to topple headwear at the first day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Despite early showers and a cold start, celebrities flocked to the Birdcage at Flemington on Saturday in all their finery. There were photo opportunities, fashion faux pas, major hats (cough, Julie Bishop, cough), awkward moments and some seriously stylish looks.

Among the first to arrive was fashion blogger and Flemington veteran Nadia Bartel, wearing a white Dion Lee dress and wide brim Melissa Jackson hat, which blew off in the chilly wind.

“Theres no way I’d change my outfit for the weather,” she told AAP. “I’ll just be cold!”

Celebrity stylist Lana Wilkinson said no one would stray from the traditional black and white dress code.

“I think we’ll be seeing lots of jumpsuits, lots of wide brim hats,” she told AAP. “It’s a hat day 100 per cent.”

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While there were no international stars on the Derby Day guest list, plenty of Australian exports have flown in for the day, including singer Natalie Imbruglia, actress Melissa George and models Shanina Shaik and Robyn Lawley, while Australian actress Zoe Ventura flew in from Los Angeles.

Today show host Karl Stefanovic made his first official public debut with new girlfriend Jasmine Yarbrough and the well-heeled pair arrived at the exclusive Emirates marquee flanked by a publicists and photographers.

Karl Stefanovic and Jasmine Yarbrough (centre) strut their way through the Birdcage. Photo: AAP

Myer ambassador and former Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins encountered a slight fashion faux pas when she turned up wearing the same Jonathan Simkahi dress – and a very similar black wide-brimmed hat – as Channel Seven’s horse racing presenter Francesca Cumani.

Francesca Cumani (left) donned the same dress as Jennifer Hawkins (right). Photo: Getty

And when Cumani donned a black coat for the cold, punters joked it was at Hawkins’ request.

https://twitter.com/MyRomanceAddict/status/926629508895055872

As for the rest, everyone stuck to the dress code as promised, but some did better than others.

The best dressed

Myer ambassador and TV host Rachael Finch looked immaculate in a modern suit by Misha Collection. Photo: Getty

Australian model Elyse Taylor’s full-skirted dress from Alex Perry was feminine and fun. Photo: Getty

Model and The Block winner Elyse Knowles, with her renovation partner and boyfriend Josh, wore a stunning lacy frock from Paolo Sebastian. Photo: Getty

Radio host Emma Freedman was by far the best dressed of the day in an elegant black-and-white dress that called to mind My Fair Lady. Photo: Getty

With an oversized ribbon in her hair and sporting a flowery strapless dress from Toni Maticevski, actress Jodi Gordon looked chic and elegant. Photo: Getty

Leave it to model Montana Cox to pull off this risky look, which saw her pair a gown with a plunging neckline and statement sleeves with edgy black accessories. Photo: Getty

The biggest risk takers

Some attendees stretched the confines of the strict dress code, playing with texture, cut and volume in order to  make a statement.

We’ll leave it to you to decide whether they nailed it or not.

TV host Ksenija Lukich opted for a short Toni Maticevski dress and long boots from Casadei. Photo: Getty

Actress Melissa George wore her hat off her head and teamed her fingerless gloves with a floaty Schiaparelli gown. Photo: Getty

Rebecca Judd scored fringe benefits in her Alexis dress. Photo: Getty

Neighbours actress Olympia Valance put her see-through shirt with some more demure wide-leg trousers, adding a dash of black with her clutch. Photo: Getty

Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop, pictured with her partner David Panton, kept it business down below but a party up above with her giant hat. Photo: Getty

Model Kate Peck must have been freezing in her tiny crop top, paired with green turban and baggy-legged pants. Photo: Getty