It’s so sad to think that we are almost finished with 2013’s Triple Crown. Heading into the third and final leg, The Belmont Stakes, we must come to terms that we aren’t going to have that Triple Crown Winner this year. (*Sigh*) However, there’s always next year!! So keep your fabulous chins up!! Even when your choice horse doesn’t win, there’s always fabulous racing fashion to turn the day upside down. Why should the horses get all the attention? 😉
If you remember the Triple Crown Trends from articles ago, Belmont is the Black and White monochrome scheme. You’ve done the Southern Belle Derby, you’ve rocked the fun 
patterned and colored Preakness Stakes, now bring out the classic side in you and rock that little white or black dress or bring both together to give you a strong stand out look. Definition of Monochrome: A photograph or picture developed or executed in black and white or in varying tones of only one color. The Belmont Stakes is a short train ride away from the heart of downtown Manhattan in the infamous New York City. The first race took place in 1866 at a racetrack in the Bronx until it was moved to the newly built Belmont Park in 1905. The race has continued on until present with a minor hiccup in 1911, and 1912, when New York passed an anti-gambling legislation. CRAZY!! People have dressed up for the Belmont Stakes for years. Millinery has always been a staple for this fantastic raceday and the fashionable ladies have really kicked it up a notch in the last few years. Less floppy hats are seen at this raceday compared to any of the other Triple Crown, there are still the big brimmed pieces worn, but fascinators and hatinators make many appearances at this wonderful raceday and this is the last of the Triple Crown races to show off your millinery! New Yorkers are sometimes stereotyped as always wearing black, having coffee in hand 24/7, always in a hurry, and constantly dialed into their technology. Well lets pull a little New York into our outfits for this raceday and pull that LBD (little black dress) out of the closet…of course it needs to be two inches above the knee or below…not that little of a black dress!
Or go out and buy a new one! Don’t feel like you need to only wear a white dress or only a black dress. Feel free to mix and match the two. Black and white prints are great whether you wear a whole printed dress, or a bold monochrome printed skirt with a white peplum top. Just because we are going black and white doesn’t mean your outfit needs to be boring! If you want to add a pop of color…go for it! Black and white with a bright pink shoe…Bazinga! White dress with a lipstick red bag…Bazinga! Express yourself through your millinery, a fantastic fascinator or hat will make any monochrome outfit stick out in an already ‘stand-out’ crowd. A sinamay piece would be a great way to provide a little bit of shade without making your head sweat. Feel free to get a bit risky with your millinery for this raceday…think how risky New York Fashion Week gets and yet how unforgettably epic it is! Fiona Mangan Millinery has some fantastic pieces that push the limits of the racing fashion at the Belmont Stakes…in a good way! Leather and spikes? The Black Eyed Susan winning filly ‘FiftyShadesofHay’ would be proud! See some of her pieces below and visit here for more: https://fashionattheraces.com/store/all-headwear/fiona-mangan-millinery/