Fashion Finds for the Queen's Plate

There’s getting dressed and then there’s getting dressed. While Queen’s Plate might have horse racing at its roots, everyone knows it’s really all about the fash-un. I mean, where else do you get to wear a bright floral formal dress for day? Where else do you get to hang with loads of dapper dudes all decked out? I’m talking suspenders, bow-ties, jaunty hats and pastel jackets - sometimes all at once. And unless you find yourself on the guest list at a British wedding, when else will you ever get to wear a fascinator? Never. Which is why Queen’s Plate should be on everyone’s summer bucket list.
While the Queen’s Plate event might seem intimidating to a first-timer, it’s so not. When it comes to Queen’s Plate, I’ve learned that anything goes. The best part? You don’t have to spend all your winnings to look amazing. Head over to the Vaughan Mills blog to see the need-to-know Queen's Plate style tips I’ve gleaned over the years...

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#WIN IT | The Ultimate Queen's Plate Experience with Vaughan Mills + Watch Our Queen's Plate 2015 Style Guide

A behind-the-scenes shot of us on shoot day.

Yup, we're total posers.

Have I told you about my new job? As the Official Stylist of Vaughan Mills, I knew I'd have the chance to get out from behind my computer screen, but styling one of summer's biggest fashion events? Now that's awesome. Since Vaughan Mills has teamed up with Woodbine Racetrack as the official Fashion Sponsor of the upcoming Queen's Plate, my first mission (and I chose to accept it) was styling Queen's Plate 2015. As the most historic horse race in North America and the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, this year marks the 156th running of the Queen's Plate, one of Canada's top sporting and fashion events. We don't get too many chances in Canada to really dress up so this event is my jam.

Since it's hard to know what to wear to such a high-stakes fashion affair, we put together a Queen's Plate Style Guide for outfit inspiration. The best part about Queen's Plate? Anything goes. Custom-made fascinators are welcome, but so are ballcaps, flower crowns and oversized wide-brim hats. From short & sweet dresses, to flowy maxis to chic jumpsuits, it's all about using your creativity to stand out. Men show up in classic suits and dapper bowties but on a really hot day, pastel shorts and blazers can be a winning combo, too.

Don't miss our Queen's Plate Style Guide below (styled and modelled by me and my cute husband, who does a mean Blue Steel btw), then make sure you visit in-mall from June 23rd-July 2nd for a chance to win The Ultimate Queen's Plate Experience including a $500 shopping spree, a one-on-one styling sesh with me and 2 VIP tickets to attend the Queen's Plate on July 5th. To enter the contest, take your photo at one of the Queen's Plate Style cut-outs located inside the Event Court and post it to your personal Instagram account using hashtag #VMStylesQP and #QP15, making sure to tag @vaughan_mills in it so we can see your pic. Visit http://bit.ly/1Boyl1C for full contest details. Oh, and be sure to tune into Breakfast Television on June 30th live from Woodbine where we'll be showing more pretty Queen's Plate looks.

Can't wait for the big day! See you at Queen's Plate!

The Horsey Set: Our Favourite Looks from Queen's Plate 2013

Très-Chic Trifecta: Colin and Justin (no last names necessary) went matchy-matchy while TV Producer/Director Natalie Deane sported a cheeky star-studded peplum by Maybe by Catalfo and a feathered fascinator.

Horsey Hostesses: Tara Ng and Sharon Ng Hayes of Backseat Stylers hosted the VIP party at the Grey Goose Lounge and looked beyond lovely in their custom David Dunkley fascinators, though we think Sharon's Erdem dress stole the show.

The Power Players: Anita Clarke (with her lovely mum), Vicki Hogarth, and Gail McInnes rocked fierce fascinators by Midencé Oliu while Amira de Vera went for pretty florals and an oversized floppy hat.

Oh Canadaaaa: CBC's Monika Platek reported live from the Hats & Horseshoes party in oh-so-Canadian red and white.

Photo Finish: This dapper Toronto realtor had a lot going on but pulled it all off with aplomb.

Lacy Lady: This pretty party-goer's lace dress and oversized fascinator by Lilliput Hats made for a total fashion win.

As for me? I ended up wearing a Gatsby-esque crystal headpiece by Toronto's I Love Goldie while James wore a bow-tie blazer combo. 

Cute husband and I hit up the Queen's Plate at Woodbine this past Sunday and while neither of us are avid horsing enthusiasts, the party definitely took my love of the races to the next level. Thanks to an invite from Backseat Stylers, we hit the Hats & Horseshoes Party VIP-style, with access to the Grey Goose Lounge, complete with cocktails, canapés and an extremely stylish crowd. As it turns out, Queen's Plate might be one of the best people-watching events of the summer, with everyone trying to their best to outshine the rest. The fascinators were fab, the gents looked dashingly dapper and while there wasn't a set dress code per se, haute hats and bow-ties were the horsey set uniform of choice.

A huge thanks to Backseat Stylers and Woodbine for all the fun! 

xo

Check out pics of my fav street-style looks from Queen's Plate 2013. Don't you just love all the amazing headpieces? Yay or neigh?

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