Outfit Details: O.P.T. Dress | Simply Laura Hat | Saddle Purse (similar) | Similar Shoes | Floral Earrings
What a magnificent race day we had at the Queen’s Plate this year. We were blessed with beautiful weather and a wonderful crowd of racing enthusiasts and fashionistas.
I know I sound like a broken record when I talk about racing fashion but there is something so fun to putting your fancy raceday outfit together for a big event. You might say – no way! It’s super stressful! And my return question would be how much time did you give yourself to prepare?
Obviously if you are scrambling to put a fabulous outfit together at the last minute- of course its stressful! It’s impossible to ask a milliner to make a custom piece 2 days prior to the event. Give yourself lead in time to style the perfect outfit. You will have more fun doing it without the level of stress counting down the days.
For the past few years I have always gone for a blue theme for this raceday – no reason in particular but it just seemed fitting for a Queen inspired raceday. This year however I wanted to play with a color I rarely wear and tie it into the sunny summer feel. YELLOW!
Yellow is a tough color for me as it usually drowns me out, especially when I have zero tan and look moon-burnt. Do you remember the yellow dress that Kate Hudson wore in ‘How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days?” Well I tried that on for my senior prom and looked like a sick porcelain doll. But I knew I’d have some color this year after a fabulous vacation in Mexico and thought I’d take the leap and try for a yellow dress. The O.P.T. dress that I chose I have had my eye on for quite a bit. First of all, I love the movement of pleats in a racing outfit. It gives the clothing such movement even when its standing still (yes I know that shouldn’t make sense but it’s true!). Then to add the tiered ruffle effect just had me wanting to twist and twirl with the boomerang app all day. Lastly, IT’S UNDER $200! A serious steal for the fun design of this dress. Get it here.
After I chose this dress I knew I needed a great hat to tie it all together and for that I gave Laura from Simply Laura a call. She’s located right up the road from me and has designed some absolutely beautiful pieces for FATR followers as well as myself. I am in love with her boaters in particular and after texting back and forth, we decided on a yellow and white structured boater with green accents to tie in the floral print within the pleats. The boater attached with an elastic which is my go-to so that I know the millinery is secured and comfortable – and not going to screw up my hair for the rest of the day. When in doubt- go the elastic route. You’re welcome.
As always, I kept my accessories pretty simple with these gorgeous white floral earrings also from ShopBop (one of my favorite go-to online shopping destinations). I might appreciate this purchase even more than the dress because they have so much versatility. I wore them the night before catching up with friends in downtown Toronto styled with an off the shoulder top and ripped jeans. A serious good buy to add to your closet.
The purse was a trendy find in Saratoga – cost me under $30 and this is the first appearance its made after owning it for almost a year…. Can’t believe I took so long to wear this out! Loved the gold handle detail and the ‘saddle bag’ style. If you want the real designer version from Chloe – here ya go! If you’re happy with my find- you can grab a similar style here.
Woodbine as always did not disappoint and it seems every year the event gets bigger and better with this year being no exception. Everyone was having an absolute blast enjoying the everflowing cocktails, new samples of vodka filled rootbeer or Seagrams Blueberry boozie seltzer and of course the Ceasers Watermelon Cucumber mixed refresher!
We spent some time in the fabulous Lexus Lounge and I tried talking my man into buying me the new model with no success. Maybe next year.
ONE BAD BOY – no seriously that is what his name is – and he lived up to it…won the $1,000,000 Queen’s Plate Race with Flavien Prat (who won the Kentucky Derby by default if you didn’t remember). We got to see the telegram that Woodbine sends off to the Queen (THE QUEEN) to announce the winner as the tradition goes. We were hoping for a Facetime but I guess a telegram will do.
Well, that’s a wrap and now we begin the countdown for 2020- 364 days to go… Why would you miss it? Mark your Calendars now and start thinking about the epic outfit you are going to put together for next year. Cheers!