By Tessa Cunniffe
I often wonder what comes first, the hat or the dress? and if your heading to the races this summer I dare say you’ll be asking yourself the same question. Granted, it can be hard to find the perfect dress if you buy a hat first, but as far as I am concerned, your hat is the most important feature when racing; you should build your outfit around it.
Your hat is the first thing people will see and it’s what will pop out in photographs. A good hat can command the envy of the crowd, both functional and frivolous; the hat is where we can truly have some fun.
When picking a hat you must consider the season; big brimmed sinanay hats are more appropriate for summer racing as they are light and airy, the brim will protect your face from the sun. You might want to pick something harder wearing with a thinner brim for winter racing. Seasonal colors apply of course.
Right now the fascinator is king (or queen rather!). Fascinators are more accessible for the hat virgin, they can be less expensive and easier to wear. They also make all the air kissing much easier.
If you are going in for best dressed you can always go for something a bit wacky (is that a telephone on your head?). For maximum impact you can have a hat commissioned that is totally unique, perhaps even relevant to something going on that week.
In the words of CoCo Chanel: “In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.”
Creativity and extravagance make a good hat, color and size are also key if you want to make an impression. Hats are like little pieces of art, I like to create scenes and stories not just a random collections of feathers and flowers, this is what makes a hat stand out – Basket of Roses, Butterflies in a Rose Garden.
If you are buying prêt-à-porter make sure you try on lots to find the one that really suits you and steer clear of acid colours, you don’t want to look tacky.
When picking the rest of your outfit always remember the races are about style and elegance daaaa-ling. No midriffs, no miniskirts and no obvious cleavage, less is truly more. Dress for the season too; an elegant knee length dress for summer, wear a smart coat for winter, gloves and
parasols are optional.
An outfit doesn’t have to cost the earth; I usually combine a bit of designer, high street and vintage. Accessories wise I work to the rule that shoes and bag should match, hat and dress should match. A nude clutch and nude shoes always look good, but keep in mind you should always avoid being too matchcy matchy. (Ewww, Daniella Westbrook in Burberry!?!)
Key Ladies day dates:
- Curragh Racecourse 26th & 27th June
- Galway Race week 29th July
- Blossom Hill Ladies’ Day, at the Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show 5th August
- Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes – Leopardstown Racecourse 4th September
Tessa Cunniffe is a hat designer and a regular at the races. For more details check out Bowe Blood Millinery.
