Goosebumps the favourite as Caulfield Cup off to chilly start

Goosebumps were the early accessory of choice at the Caulfield Cup, which began on Saturday in soggy conditions.

Women, including some of the celebrity guests, made late outfit changes as the forecast predicted rain until early afternoon. But many more just adopted the racegoers’ code of 'fashion doesn’t stop for the weather'.

Model Jess Hart, a guest of the Melbourne Racing Club and Stella Artois, joked that she had “forgotten her pants” as she stepped out in a Camilla and Marc mini jacket dress and a long, white trench coat.

Suiting was a key theme and weather friendly, with supermodel Gemma Ward one of the many guests who left the flimsy dresses at home in favour of something slightly more weather appropriate.

Wearing Bianca Spender, the mother of two who is originally from Perth, said her relationship to fashion had been reignited since she stopped breastfeeding her second baby recently.

”I’m getting personal but it does tie in with my relationship with fashion,” said the model who has walked for top brands including Prada and Proenza Schouler.

David Jones ambassador Victoria Lee said she chose her Jacquemus dress on Friday afternoon from a shortlist of a few outfits.

“This was one of my warmer choices, we decided about Friday 5pm,” she said.

The soggy conditions made crowds at the gates appear lighter than normal earlier in the day but they were expected to pick up once conditions cleared.

With the royal couple, Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, in town this week, fashion experts were on the lookout for any evidence of the “Meghan effect” at the track.

Bridget Veals, head of womenswear at David Jones, said it was great to have seen Meghan wearing some Australian designers.

“She has made some great personal choices, she’s not steered by anyone but her own style,” Ms Veals said.

She said the couple’s visit and the baby would hopefully have a positive impact on Australian retail.

“It’s good news at a time when not everything is good news.”

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