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Category: Vintage Fashion

Vintage Fashion Inspiration: Vintage Hats for Horse Race Events

This Past Sunday I attend my 3rd Hats and Horseshoe event at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto for the prestigious 157th ‘Queens Plate‘. I wore one of my favorite 1940s Vintage hat that I had previously worn the first time I attended this event (but with limited pictures) so I thought I would give it a spin again with a different outfit. Here is the hat with my gorgeous friend Steph and her Hat.

Hats & Horseshoes 2016 1940s Vintage Hats - Vintage Fashions Inspiration for Women

Before I get into the post I wanted to share some images from that day of my well dressed Toronto Vintage Society Friends & Family (My parents are on each end of the image).

Hats & Horseshoes 2016 - Vintage Fashions Inspiration for Men & Women
Hats & Horseshoes 2016 Queens Plate - Vintage Fashions Inspiration for Men & Women

This lovely couple of friends pictured below, are very talented sewers and tend to make all their own outfits for their adventures. Andrea created this outfit (the hat she made herself) as an ode to My Fair Lady and you can read all about it at her blog ‘PhysicsGirl on the Loose‘.

Hats & Horseshoes 2016 Queens Plate. Vintage Fashions Inspiration for Men & Women

The hubby and I. My dress is 1950s Vintage from Flash Back Vintage in Toronto, my vintage Lucite basket-weave purse was purchased (after 4 years of dreaming about it) from Cabaret vintage. Hat vintage 1940s from a friend and vintage Lucite ‘L’ pin from the Toronto Vintage Clothing Show.

Hats & Horseshoes 2016 Queens Plate - Vintage Fashions Inspiration for Men & Women

3 of the guys made it into the Top 10 of the Best Dressed Men’s Comp (#82 #21 & in the blue suit with boater).

Hats & Horseshoes Queens Plate 2016 Best Dressed Mens Competition - Vintage Fashions Inspiration for Men & Women

And another friend (#62) made it into the finals for the women (there were around 160 entries that they brought down to 60).

Hats & Horseshoes 2016 Queens Plate - Vintage Fashions Inspiration for Men & Women
Photo Credit: Dean Villafuerte

Vintage Hats Inspiration-What One Could Wear to a Horse Race Event (or any event)

Now on to today’s post. I was so inspired by what I saw at the race and by the image below that I thought I would scour the internet for quirky and beautiful vintage hats that one could wear to a horse race event.

Let the Vintage Hat Inspiration begin!

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay, are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

Note: If you click on an item and it is no longer available, don’t fret! The websites provided are updated daily with 1000’s of products, so you are bound to find something that will work.


Vintage Shopping: I have created an Etsy Collection of Vintage Hats that would be perfect for Easter or any occasion. It is updated monthly.


1930s vintage photo of the Madcap Millinery at the 1939 Ascot Races. Stunning 1930s hat inspiration!

This 1930s vintage hat SCREAMS Horse Races does it not? I love the Lucite oriental hair stick on the front.

Vintage Hats: 1930s art deco vintage straw hat

Vintage toy tilt hat from the 1930s or 1940s in black and white, made by Austelle. I love the train and the bow at the end that keeps the hat on your head. Small and cute and a bit quirky.

1930s Vintage Hat: 1930s Toy Tilt Hat, Straw Fascinator
Source: Etsy

Stylish vintage 1930s tilt hat.

1930s vintage hat - 1930's black tilt hat with flower motif.
Source: Etsy

1930s Quirky hat to the max! This will get you noticed, that is for sure.

1930s vintage tilt Hat
Source: Etsy

Because I love Cherries- 1940s Tilt hat with Cherries and a cool top knot.

1940s vintage hat: 1940s tilt hat with cherries.
Source: Etsy

Horse Race Hat WIN! This 1940s “peek-a-boo” hat will get you noticed, fall in the quirky category and keep the sun off your head and that colour…gorgeous!

1940s Vintage Hat: 1940s Red "peek-a-boo" hat
Source: Etsy

The green in this 1940s vintage hat makes it so unique.

 1940s vintage hat: 1940s 'New York Creation' tilt hat in chartreuse green
Source: Etsy

Oh my goodness…..Vintage 1940s hat, blue straw tilt. This is simply marvelous and super fun! And my absolute favorite so far.

1940s Vintage Hat: Vintage 1940s hat, blue straw tilt with polka dot ribbon
Source: Etsy

Dior’s New Look is excellent for making a statement when you head to your seat. The brim reminds me a bit of the song “Surrey with the Fridge on Top” from Oklahoma, don’t you agree?

1950s Vintage Hat: Vintage 1950s hat
Source: Etsy

I find 1950s hats could sometimes head into the most interesting direction with their styles, like this lovely AND Quirky 1950s Floral skull cap.

1950s vintage hat: Vintage 1950's orange and green floral skull cap.
Source: Etsy

As I end the hat section I’m going to post my bucket list hat which is actually not vintage at all, but is just so stunningly beautiful. Sigh..1940s vintage style tilt hat.

1940s vintage style tilt hat - Black and Off-White Striped Pillbox Fascinator Hat - 1940s Style - Velvet &Taffeta Fabric
Source: Etsy

Lastly, For a great blog post that showcased many of the hat styles seen at the Queen Plate this past Sunday, check out the blog ‘Hats by Anne‘. You just might see myself in there as well.

Question Time: Would you go with Quirky or Elegant for a hat to the races? Or maybe you would combine the styles together? Let me know.

FURTHER READING:

Liz 🙂

My Ultimate “VLV” Rockabilly / Vintage Wardrobe Wish List

Next week I leave for the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend! I can’t wait! This will be my last one for a while as my husband and I would like to take other trips and try other events, so I’m going to make the most of out of it this year.

Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend 18, 2015
Me and the Sign at last years Viva

The vintage clothing is HUGE at Viva (one of my favorite parts) and I love seeing all the lovely vintage fashions that everyone brings. I’m always happy with the items that I bring but I do like to dream that if I won the lottery and or had size 24″ waist, what would be my ultimate VIVA wardrobe?

So that is what today’s post is all about, what would I bring if I had the means (1940s & 1950s Fashions)? Let the dreaming/drooling begin!


Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay, are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 


1940s Green Gingham Sundress-SO ME! I would totally wear this dress to the car show.

1940s Fashion: 1940s Dress // Green Gingham Ruffle Sundress
Source: Etsy

Another day dress for wandering around the hotel, hitting up the strip or just lounging by the pool – A 1950s Mr. Mort Gingham (I’m in gingham mode right now) sundress. The top of the dress is so different and really cool.

1950s Fashion: 1950s Mr. Mort gingham dress smocking spaghetti straps 50s sundress 1950s sundress vintage gingham smocked
Source: Etsy

I love Tiki and I love Tiki Dresses like this beauty of a dress from the 1950s and perfect to wear to Frankie’s Tiki Room. The pattern is a novelty tiki cat print.

FURTHER READING:

1950s Fashioin: 1950s Dress // Novelty Tiki Cat Print Full Skirt Dress
Source: Etsy

Mexican Handpainted skirts are very very popular in the Rockabilly/Vintage world and this one is a perfect example of why they are, simply stunning! This skirt is a good choice for any evening of the event.

1950s Fashion: Vintage 1950s SEQUINED Mexican Hand Painted CIRCLE Skirt
Source: Etsy

Vintage 1940s Evening Dress. Perfect for dancing in, to all the amazing bands that play all weekend long. Possibly a super Saturday night dress

1940s Fashion: Vintage 1940s Evening Dress with a Pink skirt & accents.
Source: The Cats Pajamas

Here is another Saturday Night Dress – A Emma Domb 1950’s dress french blue satin. Isn’t it dreamy?

FURTHER READING: Vintage Fashion Designer Spotlight: Emma Domb

1950s Fashion: 1950s Dress Emma Domb Vintage Strapless Beaded Liquid Satin Gown
Source: Etsy

One more option for Saturday Night (or really any night of the event). 1940s Vintage Crepe Gown (this is my favorite).

1940s Fashion: vintage 1940s gown // 40s pink crepe beaded evening gown
Source: Etsy

The Pool Parties at VLV happen all weekend but on Sunday they have the women’s vintage swimsuit contest. If I had a lot of money, I would buy this suit and enter – A 1950s Novelty Rooster Print Catalina Swimsuit. The print is just so fun and I think you would have a good chance of winning.

FURTHER READING: Summer is here! Vintage Catalina Swimsuit Ads

1950s Fashion / Vintage Summer Outfit: 1950s Novelty Rooster Print Artist Textile Catalina Swimsuit Bathing Suit
Source: Etsy

Shoes! I very rarely wear awesome shoes at this event because I’m normally dancing…a lot and my shoes are usually built for comfort over style. However, if I could have some dream shoes these would be in my suitcase.

1940s sling back, peep toe heels. Cute with a bit of danger to them.

1940s Fashion: 1940s sling back, peep toe heels
Source: Etsy

Another pair of fantastic peep toe 1940s shoes (I adore the 40s shoes).

1940s Fashion: Vintage 1940s Shoes /// Chocolate Suede Peep Toes
Source: Etsy

And then the ultimate wish list shoes (and my top pin on Pinterest)……1940s Platform heels, very Carmen Miranda and sold to some lucky person in this world.

1940s Fashion: 1940s Platform heels, very Carmen Miranda looking.
Source: Pinterest

Accessories. Once again, since I’m a dancer my accessories are usually limited to items that won’t fly off my body when dancing (brooches, earrings, hair flowers) but we are talking “My wish list” so I would wear Bakelite Bracelets! Up my arm and down the other. Ha Ha, not really but I would wear more than just one like many of the lovely ladies I have seen do.

1930s red Bakelite carved clamper bracelet.

FURTHER READING: Bakelite! The Must Have Vintage Fashion Accessory

1930s Fashion Accessory: 1930s red Bakelite carved clamper bracelet
source: Pinterest

And here are all the bracelets ready for my arm. The carved ones are truly my favorite (I currently only own smooth Bakelite).

Vintage Bakelite Bracelets
Source: Flickr

And there is my Ultimate VLV Wardrobe wish list. I hope you enjoyed taking a look at the things that make me drool or wish I had one the lottery.

This will also be my last weekly post till I’m back from my trip (I will only be gone for one week, friends so don’t worry). You can follow my adventures on Instagram.

Have a super week friends and see some of you at VLV!

FURTHER READING:

Liz 🙂