And they’re off! Style mavens and dapper gentlemen have been racing off to the track with their best fascinators and pocket squares in tow. Whether it’s the Royal Ascot, the Kentucky Derby, or this past week’s, Queen’s Plate, horse races are growing in popularity in society circles and are increasingly attracting a young, stylish set with a penchant for big hats.
This past weekend, I was invited to take part in the Hats & Horseshoes party at the Queen’s Plate in Toronto on behalf of This Beautiful Day. The lovely Sharon and Tara of The Backseat Stylers hosted a lovely party inside the VIP Grey Goose Lounge where feather fascinators, wide-brimmed hats and bowties were the unofficial style uniform.
Here’s some street style inspiration from the Queen’s Plate for your next trip to the track!
Not your average garden party! Bold, graphic floral print skirts and dresses take the standard floral frock up a notch. These outfits stand out against neutral in colour, but certainly not boring, shoes and hats.
You can achieve a bold look by choosing one color for a monochromatic look. Here we have a race-goer pulling off the all black look from her fetching fascinator right down to her feet, and another race-goer elegantly understated in all white with simple (and smart!) flats.
The ladylike style rule of matching hat to dress is always in effect at the races. This pink pairing of peplum and fascinator make for a lovely combination.
We can’t forget the gentlemen! This lady and her dapper beau make for quite the unique pair. She adorning a flapper-esque headpiece that no other race-goer wore, was complimented by her dapper fellow in bowtie and boat shoes.
Photo credit: The Backseat Stylers
Finally, here I am with my very own handsome beau. Proudly sporting my favorite shoe and yellow pop-pom fascinator on my head, I opted for the pastel on pastel look.
The Hats and Horseshoes party turned out to be an incredibly fun day, as I'm sure, are many of the other famous horse races. Those Brits are definitely on to something: the cheering in the grandstand, the excitement of betting on horses, the fashion and of course, all the hats make for one smashing day.
