High end fashion is one of the most lucrative industries in the world, with many typically hoping to be spotted in a trend that will be the next big thing. It is no surprise that some fashion tycoons have taken inspiration from outfits that they have spotted during a social day out on the racetrack.
Horse racing has a lengthy history of creating new fashion trends, with the Longchamp track in Paris during the 19th century being a brainchild for designers long before the Paris Fashion Week.
That continues to be a trend in this modern day, with a growing number of trends on the racetrack being taken by designers to create their latest masterpieces.
Racing itself is the main reason to head to the track, with memories such as the previous winners at the Breeders’ Cup being found here: twinspires.com/breeders-cup/winners/
But, what are some of the most stylistic trends that have been taken from the track and adopted for day-to-day use?
Booming Periods
Horse racing has long been ahead of the curve when it comes to the latest fashion trends, and that dates back generations. That is no major surprise, as historically, race days at the racetrack were the main occasions to get dressed up and have a good time with friends and family.
The first indications of this were during the Edwardian Era, where the birth of statement dressing was born. During this period, the trend of wearing extravagant hats and lavish gowns were brought into the mainstream, seeing them become widely available across the market, especially in the high-end boutiques.
The trend gained pace when the Royal Family were spotted at Ascot racetrack wearing their finery, and it led to a nation-wide craze. Not only did this period have a profound impact on the fashion industry, but it also led to sweeping changes on the racecourse, as dress codes were implemented at major tracks such as Ascot and Chester.
Roaring Twenties as an Equestrian
Racing would once again transcend the mood of the nation during the Roaring Twenties and the 1930s, as women were encouraged to have a greater sense of freedom when heading to the track.
This would see notable hair cuts such as bobs and flapper-style dresses gain traction. Not only would this be a transcending time for the period, but also set a new status-quo for the world as we know it now.
Having the ability to be creative with style choices while at the racetrack remains as prominent in this modern day as it ever has, with Racegoers typically looking to go bold and pastoral with their colours.
Fashion would also stamp itself on racing during the 1930s, as the birth of Hollywood glamour would spread across the world. That is still apparent when heading to the racetrack in this modern day, with many still opting for feathered fascinators and fedora hats.
Creativity
Racing has always had the ability to follow the trends, and that is as much down to the social element of the sport as those that attend the events. In this modern day, visitors are able to be creative with their stylistic choices, and it is only encouraged with fashion prizes up for grabs at major events such as the Kentucky Derby and Royal Ascot.
However, not every year at these events are identical, with the influence of those attending constantly changing with the passing years. Therefore, while the same base of traditional racing style remains, the freedom is constantly evolving, with brighter colours and trends breaking through to create a new norm.
This ensures that racing remains the place to be if you’re looking to learn more about fashion, and it only encourages visitors to be themselves when making their outfit decisions.
Cross-Over Style Trends
Recent examples of fashion and racing crossing over to create new trends can be reflected by the success achieved in tweed clothing. Tweed jackets and hats have been incredibly popular within racing since the 1800s, with the clothing being more practical for a day at the track due to the warmth that wearers are able to enjoy.
However, the success of the style has led to more fashionable tweed items making their wait to market, which has been an incredibly lucrative venture for fashion designers. One of the other key themes that have been reflected at the racetrack throughout modern years is the number of visitors wearing flat caps.
The headwear enjoyed a renaissance in part due to the success of BBC smash-hit Peaky Blinders, with the vast majority of visitors that attend winter racing now opting to go for the Tommy Shelby look. This has been a trend reflected in sales recorded by fashion tycoon John Lewis, who claimed that there was huge consumer demand for flat caps.
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