Wear:

Philip Treacy bespoke hat (shop some ready to wear Philip Treacy hats on Net-a-Porter)

Simone Rocha dress (out of stock; similar Simone Rocha dress on deep sale here! shop the designer here, here, and here)

Aquazzura x Olivia Palermo pumps (exact out of stock; shop Aquazzura here and here)

Nancy Gonzalez clutch (similar here)

Chanel cuff (similar here)

Hermes bracelet  (here – the green color is in homage to our racing partnership Donegal Racing)

Deborah Lippmann nail polish (here)

Where:

2014 Breeders’ Cup world championships at Santa Anita Park, near Los Angeles, California

Santa Anita is one of my favorite race tracks in America for its scenic vistas and beautiful weather any time of year!

Why:

Let’s talk horse racing fashion… I am a traditionalist when it comes to dressing for a day at the race track. There are two non-negotiable components that come to mind when I think about what to wear to the track:

1. A dress with a classic, lady-like, feminine cut

2. A hat

Given the history, tradition, and pageantry of horse racing, this is the perfect time to go for a dress with a traditional cut. That doesn’t mean it can’t have modern elements, like the neoprene material and mesh pockets of my dress. But, ladies, this is not the time to pull out your shortest, tightest, most revealing dress. Go for a classy, fabulous look. Bring the glamor.

You might remember my race day dress from this Parisian post. The dress was actually purchased this past summer for a horse racing trip that ended up not happening. But nevertheless, I have definitely been able to wear this dress on multiple occasions. I like the mix of a timeless silhouette + modern details. And I can change up the look just by changing the accessories.

As for head wear, in today’s society, we don’t have many occasions that call for hats, especially here in America, where things tend to be more casual and informal. But a day at the races is the perfect excuse to don a hat! While you might not thing you are a hat person, you might be surprised. I find that wearing a hat transforms how you hold and carry yourself. It takes you to a time and place more proper and formal than that in which we live today. It’s an elegant alternative to our normal daily wear. So, if you go to the horse races, take the opportunity to do something different – like wear a hat!

A quick note on my hat: this bespoke beauty created by Philip Treacy and team was modeled after the hat that Victoria Beckham wore to the royal wedding back in 2011. As you can see here, the base is very similar. The embellishments, color, and fabric were altered to align with the dress, the location, and the season.

Have you ever been to the horse races? Do you like wearing hats? I’d like to hear your stories!

 

For more ideas on horse racing fashion, I suggest checking out Fashion at the Races, a great resource.

All photos courtesy of Breeders’ Cup official photographers