Are you looking for some sage advice on what to wear? Here’s a Q&A of the most common questions I get about fashion in addition to the Del Mar Opening Day Hat Contest.
When planning my attire for a big event like Del Mar Opening Day, I like to think about this quote:
Dress shabbily and they remember the dress;
Dress impeccably and they remember the woman.
– Coco Chanel
When thinking about The Races, especially on Del Mar’s Opening Day, it’s all about fashion, entertainment, and horses.
As the Creative Director of the Del Mar Opening Day Hats Contest and as the spokesperson for the contest I truly love preparing and presenting fashions that embrace all the fun and excitement of Opening Day! We go all out on Opening Day, and although we are always exploring the limits of new fashion, the advice I give about what to wear is universal and will work for almost everyone.
Traditionally there are different fashion cultures in the racing world. When it comes to grand outdoor events like Opening Day, I often start by classify looks I like into regional styles as follows:
- East Coast Classic Chic
- The South Sweet Chic
- Even Royale Chic
But what about the West Coast you may ask? In California we usually beat to our own fashion drum. I’m pretty sure we’d be considered West Coast Chic but you could even call us Sexy Chic with influences from movies, fandom and pop-culture. Yes, on the West Coast, we tend to be a little unconventional. But don’t overthink it, what I’m saying here is there is a way to be a little sexy while still keeping it classy. It’s always essential to leave a little to the imagination.
The number one question I’m asked every year is:
Q) Do you pick the hat or the dress first?
A) If I had to pick, I would say the hat because most people don’t wear them often. So it’s crucial to find one that you feel comfortable in first.
Q) What are your options if you’re uncomfortable wearing a traditional big-rimmed race day hat?
A) The other options, if you’re uncomfortable wearing a hat, is the fascinator. In general, it’s small in size and overall lighter. It’s a fantastic look. You feel festive and fascinators are an excellent option if you find the dedication to a big brim or tall feathers just aren’t for you. I love the fascinator because I hug people all day and don’t poke their eyes out!
Q) What’s the difference between a Fascinator and a Hatinator?
A) Hatinader‘s are unique; a little bit more dramatic, more prominent, and look more like a hat yet resemble a fascinator with a specific detail which is they’re both on headbands.
Q) How are Hatinators and Fascinators best worn?
A) Remember it’s not worn back on the head like a hat. It’s worn forward of the face. It’s best to place the hat more on your forehead over one eye. It’s essential to pick the side and position the hat where the part of your hair is.
Q) What’s a hot tip for the easiest way to assemble an outfit?
A) When choosing the hat and the dress, I always keep in mind if I go bold or bright with the dress, I would go with less drama on the hat. If the hat is striking and makes a statement, I’d tone it down slightly with the dress. I believe one or the other should be the statement piece. I don’t think they should compete with one another.
Q) knowing that it’s a long day at the races, what about your shoes and feet?
A) For myself and our models, we overall like something a little more supportive in the ball of the feet and usually a chunkier heel with a padded soul. My hot tip is always to pack a pair of flip-flops in your tote for the end of the day.
Q) On Opening Day, it’s usually a hot and long day, not to forget to mention all the after-parties. How do you keep your makeup and hair looking fresh?
A) I’m all about packing a little makeup kit for all the little touchups. Regarding the hairstyles, it’s always great to have a little bit of an up style with braids, a twist, a back, or tossed to the messy side bun. It’s a long fun hot day, so usually, our bouncy curls are no longer there when it’s time to go to the after-parties or dinner. This look is generally very complimentary for hats.
Q) What if you don’t want to go wild on spending money on a hat? What are the options?
A) Well, in many cases, there’s not a lot of opportunity to wear hats around here, except for the races. I’m all about getting a classic hat and customizing it with a feather or two. I’ve taken the same hat and changed my touch of feathers to a flower and given it a completely different look. I firmly believe that the Devil is in the details. It’s not always how much you spend; it’s how you put it all together.
Q) Now, let’s talk about the famous Del Mar Opening Day Hat Contest. What should people expect?
A) This differs from picking out what to wear for opening day. I love the contest because it’s very festive, highly creative, dramatic, entertaining, and spectacular. I say all of this because people come out and bring it 100% when it comes to big, bold creative fun. Putting together a contest creation is where people let their imaginations go wild. I’ve seen surfboards on top of people’s heads with a shark biting the board. I’ve seen a mannequin that was all dressed for race day on someone’s head. So basically, if you can think it and create it, then by all means, wear it and sign up to win prizes and have a fabulous time doing it.
Q) How many categories are there?
A) we have four categories:
-
- Most Glamorous
- Best Flowers
- Best Fascinator
- Best Racing/All Other
Q) Where is the contest held once you enter the Race Tracks? How do you sign up?
A) Great question, Contestants can start signing up at starting 12 o’clock in the Plaza de Mexico to the West of the Paddock. Walking into the main entrance, you will see the paddock; if you pass through the paddock area, you’ll see the contest area held by the large fountain in the middle of the plaza. Signing up is as easy as giving your information and taking a picture. Our panel of judges will choose the finalists for each category and then pass those along to our celebrity judges who choose the one and only Grand Prize Winner.
Q) Are there prizes?
A) Oh yes, they differ slightly from year to year and will be listed on the Del Mar website at dmtc.com. We award all four categories wth one of them being the grand prize winner with products and services from Studio Savvy Salon.
Q) When and where do they award the winners?
A) We have an excellent awards presentation in the winners circle after the 6th race. The grandstands have a first hand view as we award trophies and prizes for the four category finalist, and from that group we ultimately announce the grand prize winner.
Q) How did you get involved with the Hat Contest?
A) Craig Dado (the former VP of Marketing at DMTC), a client at my salon for many years, invited me to join this great event to assist with fashions, PR and media interviews.
Q) What’s your background and your background in fashion?
A) It all started at my mom’s salon when I was a kid; this is where I loved to hang out. I got my license as a hairstylist at age 17. I worked side-by-side with my mom (Vickie Lavanty), cutting hair on stage as a platform artist at Hair Shows. We were award-winning for best theatrical presentation over and over. Behind the scenes, I prepped and choreographed, and rehearsed 40 models for the main stage presentations. As a team, we have continued to do these hair shows for over a decade. It was an easy transition taking that experience from all the shows and parlaying it into a position directing and sponsoring the Del Mar Hat Contest. It doesn’t feel like work when you have this much fun. It’s unbelievable how natural organizing all the logistics came flooding back in. That is when you know it’s your passion. I do love all things fashion!!
* Photos courtesy of Jody Lynn Photography @jodylynnphoto, and others by Cotch Diaz @cotchyoulookin, and Susie Talman @susietalmanphotography
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