Former Spice Girl Melanie Chisholm, better known as Mel C or Sporty Spice, captured the crowd’s attention on Stakes Day in a casual yet visually striking ensemble.
The 49-year-old pop star showed off her toned physique at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday, donning a form-fitting pastel mini dress paired with white sneakers.
Ms. Chisholm was revealed in September to be headlining the event, performing at the Cup’s festival-inspired Palooza main stage.
However, not all feedback on the casual race day outfit was positive.
Instagram users have slammed Ms. Chisholm under a picture of her posted to the Flemington VRC official account.
A number of users felt the star wasn’t dressed appropriately for the occasion.
“Really like Mel C but her stylist needs to be fired,” said one user.
“Is she at the races or a Sunday barbecue?” wrote another.
“I know she’s sporty spice, but surely she could have worn something better,” said another punter, with the comments universally panning her outfit choice.
The occasion marks the first time Sporty Spice has returned to Australian shores in almost 25 years, and will be her only Melbourne performance before embarking on her first ever solo tour of the country.
AFL stars such as Collingwood’s Isaac Quaynor and North Melbourne’s Jy Simpkin also descended on Flemington to revel in the day’s festivities, opting for clean cut black and navy suits respectively.
Simpkin was joined by his partner, Australian model Demi Brereton, who, opting for a classic spring races attire, stunned in a pastel pink dress and a delicate mesh headpiece.
Though the skies remained clear throughout the day, Quaynor was visibly dampened following the dramatic popping of a large bottle of champagne outside the exclusive Mumm marquee, celebrating its tenth consecutive year at the Carnival.
Other racegoers stepped out in soft pastels and floaty silhouettes, bringing the Melbourne Cup Carnival to a breezy yet elegant close.
Donning more muted tones than the bold and bright colours popular at the Melbourne Cup, or the striking monochrome ensembles of Derby Day, Saturday’s day at the races saw classic spring trends in full swing.
Soft-hued tones and floral prints reigned supreme as Saturday’s attendees celebrated the most inclusive and relaxed race day of the Carnival under sunny skies.
Temperatures were more tempered than Cup Day, during which racegoers sweltered through maximum temperatures of 90F.
Few attendees partook in the event’s reformed dress code, which for the first time in its 162 years allowed both men and women to wear shorts in the exclusive members section.
Saturday’s conditions instead called for light outerwear, with the mercury struggling to reach a high of 63F, which, in true Melbourne style, followed an almost uncomfortable 91F on Friday.
Many attendees were seen sporting a red rose — the official flower for Stakes Day.
The best middle distance horses were tested in the concluding day’s $2m Group 1 Stakes while the country’s best sprinters were cheered on by exuberant punters in the $2m Group 1 Darley Sprint Classic.
The much-loved event is regarded for its comparably relaxed atmosphere and family-friendly activities, which was undoubtedly confirmed by the presence of many excited young ones enjoying the leisurely ambience.
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