I never understood why Derby Day was considered the day for punting purists until now. Despite the tempestuous weather warnings, including this ominous caution from my mother “Why you not wear a coat? You going to watch a horse? You going to catch a cold!” (she doesn’t actually talk like that, but the direct Chinese translation is pretty close), I, along with the rest of Melbourne, flocked to the Flemington racecourse to watch horses, snap clothes horses, and to tempt fate with the elements.

Dozens of fabulous fillies grace the Birdcage, but Kate Waterhouse is my favourite. How can you say no to a strapless dress with pockets? This girl has style and horse racing in her DNA. Beaming with hubby Luke Ricketson, can you believe she gave birth only 5 months ago?

Always a treat to run into the leggy Lauren Brain, Nova host, fashionista, blogger, and her friend Emma.

The lady, aside from my mother, who gives me the best parenting advice: Jane Rocca, journalist at The Weekly Review

And these love birds: Lady Melbourne and her ‘Gardener’ are beaming with engagement bliss!

My hat was ‘gone with the wind’ half a dozen times thanks to the gusty gales. Wish I’d met Stephanie earlier so I could have taken a leaf out of her book: never wear a hat on a windy day without the help of grosgrain ribbons. Utterly stunning, her outfit was perfect for the German theme of the Emirates marquee this year.

The one lady I can chat to about Chanel and diapers in one conversation: the effervescent Jess Dempsey (What Would Karl Do)

Our shelter from the savage weather: the Herald Sun marquee. Exuding a providore-inspired, warm and cozy cafe-vibe, it came complete with…

Matt Preston! Turns out we have a vet friend in common, and of course, our love for food, especially the canape menu that he designed.

Breakfast is served…by Peter Rowland Catering Company

One of the best dressed fillies in the Herald Sun Marquee: Justina Noble, looking polished and sophisticated in a vintage hat, Ellery top and Alexander Wang heels. I was admiring her outfit…

until I got distracted by these Peking duck sliders…

At some point during the windy day, I wish I wore a slip under my Chorus skirt…

 But then I bumped into Liz, aka Street Smith, who condoned my choice of pleats.

Chicken mini meatloaves. We left as the comfort food selection was just starting…

So there you have it: my whirlwind Derby Day experience. It was my first time at the monochrome-supporting day, and the fashion did not disappoint. The majority obeyed race style rules, except Margherita Missoni. She broke tradition by wearing colours and flowers in her head. But then again, she is an heiress to the Missoni empire. So she can do anything.

I chose this wide-brimmed hat because I figured it could double as an umbrella, but the wind frowned upon my choice of head wear, and blew it away at every opportunity.

And my mother dearest? Did her prediction about her daughter catching a cold come true? Oh you bet!