With April weather warming up, it’s time to think about May and the next big event in fashion: horse racing! People come for the horses but they stay for the socializing and to admire the dresses and hats. Whether you are planning on attending the Gold Cup, Preakness, or Derby, you can be sure there will be a bevy of beautifully dressed women.
If this is your first time at the track, it’s easy to be intimidated by the exotic display. Don’t be! Here are three quick and easy tips that will get you race-ready in no time.
#1: Hats On!
While most people think of hats as an accessory, at major horse races such as the Gold Cup, hats are the main event. You want to find a hat or fascinator to wear that stands out and makes a statement. Have fun! Think daring brims, bunches of flowers, ribboned netting, and bright colors. You’ll be wearing the hat for roughly six hours, so make sure that the chapeaux you choose is a comfortable one; not too heavy or wide. Think feminine and flirty and you should be set.
#2: Dress for Success
Once you have the hat of your dreams, it’s time to choose your dress. The races are stylish events, so even if you love your jeans, leave them home. Tea or knee length, and lightly colored or patterned dresses are ideal. Remember that your hat is the star of the show, so aim to select pick a dress that shows off the beauty of your hat.
Right now, trends for the races tend towards sophisticated solids, like this Lace Dress, or light, flirty patterns like this Ruffle Neck Dress, both from local retailer, Scout and Molly’s Reston. If your hat is a simple design in a solid color, you can dress it up a bit with a bolder print. For example, the pattern of this dress is perfect when paired with a classic white, brimmed hat.
Fifteen Twenty Belle Sleeve Lace Dress | Banx Hat | Second Daughter Orbit Collar | Earrings (similar) here | Nine West Heels
#3: Hand Over Your Bags
The races are the time to leave your big, bulky bags behind. A clutch, wristlet, or cross body purse, in a color or design that compliments the rest of your outfit, is enough. Pack it with a few bills for betting, possibly some rolled up flats if you want to change later, and a tube of lipstick. You can let your date hide other items in his suit if you just can’t be without.
Add a pair of heels and your favorite earrings and you’re good to go! Though it’s impossible to anticipate which horse will win the day, you can safely bet that if you follow these rules you’ll be in the running for first place in fashion!
Shilla Play Lace Trim Dress | Banx Blush Hat | Celine Blush Bag | Kate Spade Bracelets | Earrings (similar) here | Heels
This post was contributed by Margo Schlossberg on behalf of Scout and Molly’s Reston, a local retailer specializing in boutique fashions for women.
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