The biggest week in the racing calendar is swiftly drawing to a close and it seems that the fashionistas are struggling to keep up with the pace of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

While Jennifer Hawkins finally wore something stylish and model Coco Rocha wowed in Melbourne-designed couture, there were plenty of dresses that just shouldn’t have made it out of the stylist’s car boots.

Former Miss Universe Australia Rachael Finch, who almost stole the show from US supermodel Kate Upton at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup, somehow managed to look dowdy, while reality TV star Whitney Port could have been wearing her mum’s outfit from the 1980s, minus the pizzaz.

But there were a couple of quiet achievers, thank you Jesinta Campbell and Simone Callahan, who came up trumps on what is traditionally known as ‘Ladies Day’.

Here is The New Daily’s guide to who wore what and whether it was any good.

Top five best dressed

1. Lauren Phillips

Possibly a controversial choice, given the favouritism for her fellow Myer ambassador Jennifer Hawkins, but there was something sexy and simply snappy about this Yeojin Bae leopard print dress with a simple burnt orange Melissa Jackson headpiece.

2. Jennifer Hawkins

Model and Myer ambassador Jennifer Hawkins looked pretty in a pastel pink Manning Cartell frock. While drapes and lace rarely work, the master Australian designer has a winner with this demure number.

3. Coco Rocha

The Canadian supermodel looked fierce in an Anthony Capon designed gold brocade dress sheath with an Aurelio Costarella dress. The crowd and fashionista favourite has looked phenomenal at every event she attended during the Spring Racing Carnival.

4. Jesinta Campbell

Wearing a floral capri-style combo from Harris Scarfe, Buddy Franklin’s girlfriend and former Miss Universe Australia, Jesinta Campbell, showed you don’t have to be decked out in haute couture to make a fashion statement.

5. Simone Callahan

For a woman who has had the unfortunate luck of having her former husband run off with Elizabeth Hurley, Simone Callahan certainly has her dignity – and style. Callahan opted for a chic black and yellow shift, that showed off her enviable figure, and a petite pillbox hat that looked perfection with her blonde locks.

Top five worst dressed

1. Heather Small

We don’t even know where to start. Firstly, given that she was once a very famous singer for The M People, it would be good to see her face. But why stop there. The neon pink is just way too loud.

2. Rachael Finch

We fear that Rachael Finch is about to break out into a ‘Chorus Line’ style song and dance routine. It might be the demi-boater hat, or it could be her Aurelio Costarella frock that looks more frumpy than flirty, but something is amiss here.

3. Whitney Port

While there was nothing openly offensive about US reality TV starlet Whitney Port’s pale ensemble, this needed some white fingerless fishnet gloves to set it alight. She gets points for the hat though.

4. Charli Robininson

The former Hi-5 member seemed to be wearing three outfits in one as neither the too heavy shoes, the whipped-cream hat or the cut-out dress were a fit.

5. Jennifer Keyte

The slightly cooler weather in Melbourne didn’t excuse Keyte’s decision to pair her light, summery frock with heavy black stockings and knee-high boots.

All photos courtesy of Getty Images and Emirates