Hawkins stuns in red pantsuit at Melb Cup

Jennifer Hawkins has turned raceday fashion on its head by wearing a bright red pantsuit for the Melbourne Cup, stunning fans and turning heads.

The Australian model is the first to admit her outfit isn’t your typical choice, but defended the misunderstood clothing item.

“Pantsuits haven’t traditionally been OK for racing but I think they’re still ladylike and traditional,” she told AAP.

“My inspiration is the 1970s where they wore big beautiful glamorous hats and wide legged pants.”

Hawkin’s pantsuit was nothing like the drab and demure pantsuits popularised in the 80s.

Her suit included a deep plunging neckline and fitted torso, complemented with a huge wide-brimmed red hat.

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The red colour choice and the hat had some thinking the star looked a bit like Carmen Sandiego, the 90s video game character and archeologist.

“That wasn’t my inspiration,” Hawkins said about the similarity.

The former Miss Universe winner also avoided adding to the Donald Trump controversy that embroiled her on Saturday.

She told reporters Donald Trump has always been respectful to her and didn’t want to “bag him” despite an old video emerging of the US presidential candidate ridiculing her on stage during a corporate speech in Sydney.

“I’ve just always said that I just stay away from politics and drama ,” she said on Tuesday.

“That’s all I want to say because otherwise it just keeps going and going.”

Hawkins lapped up the Melbourne Cup atmosphere at the Myer Marquee alongside celebrities including swimmer James Magnussen, model Elyse Knowles and Lauren Phillips.