The Kentucky Derby is the premier U.S. equestrian event sporting the tradition of ostentatious hats. (see: http://www.kentuckyderby.com/experience/traditions/derby-hats) A southern tradition, hats are a great part of the pageantry at the Derby, the “greatest two minutes in sports.”
The tradition of wearing hats at horse racing events dates to the first year of the Royal Ascot horse race, located in the village of Ascot, Berkshire, England, in 1711. Globally, the Royal Ascot is known for being one of the most unique events to observe luxury fashion—particularly elaborate hats. This year’s Royal Ascot takes place June 19-23. The Royal Enclosure, the heart of the Royal Ascot, has a strict dress code, including a hat requirement for ladies: “Hats should be worn; a headpiece which has a base of 4 inches (10cm) or more in diameter is acceptable as an alternative to a hat.” A black or grey top hat is required for men, along with the required black or grey morning dress. Even girls (aged 10-16) are encouraged to wear hats: “Hats, headpieces or a fascinator may be worn but are not compulsory.” Admission to the Grandstand also requires hats for ladies: “A hat, headpiece or fascinator should be worn at all times.” (Ascot dress codes, updated for 2012, are available at: http://www.ascot.co.uk/)
Ladies hats are a tradition among the spectators at other equestrian events around the mid-south, including the Iroquois Steeplechase, and are a must for exhibitors in carriage driving events.
NFocus, the Nashville social scene magazine, sponsors the hat contest at the Iroquois Steeplechase. “In recent years, Steeplechase hats have reached the heights seen at The Royal Ascot, Kentucky Derby and yes, the Royal Wedding,” according to NFocus hat judge Gloria Houghland. To increase her competency at hat judging, Houghland sought the expertise of Christine A. Moore, who is considered the “hat designer of the Triple Crown,” Houghland wrote, receiving a “hat-centric education” for her judging duties at the 2011 Iroquois Steeplechase.
Amateur hat designer Michelle Hughes of Hampshire, TN creates a new Iroquois Steeplechase hat every year, all sporting a horse. This year she is making eight hats, and will be selling them for the first time (she usually gives them away). Four will be on display at Belle Meade Plantation and four at the St. Jude Boutique. She has been attending and making hats for the Iroquois for the last four years. “I usually make my own hat and one for my friend to match her outfit. This year I’ll be making three or four hats for the Iroquois for my friends.” She also made a hat for Mule Day, held each spring in Columbia, TN. Last year the theme was Southern Comfort, so her hat was tailored to the theme.
Michelle finds materials for her hat creations at a variety of places: “I go to Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Jo-Ann Fabrics, and Goodwill.” This year she’s doing a hat in Irish linen with some linen she found at Goodwill. “I put horses in all my hats and I find them at yard sales, Goodwill, and TSC in the toy section. The best ones I find are at yard sales – they have character from children playing with them. I always look for horses with character!” Hughes said.
Her 2010 Iroquois hat featured long tail feathers from her Phoenix rooster, whose tail feathers could reach six feet in length. He has since passed on, but she has other resources for feathers for her hats. “My girlfriend has a Palm turkey; my cousin has Peacocks and I pick up their feathers after they shed.” She also finds wild turkey and hawk feathers that have been shed.
“This year big, bold flowers are in,” Hughes said, so her hats will be replete with colorful flowers. “I found some gorgeous ones at the Dollar Store,” she boasted. And greenery is important, too. Her 2010 hat sported ferns. “Greenery really accentuates the color,” she explained.
Falon Jones at Mike Moore’s Buckaroo Hatters on the square in Covington, Tennessee, makes Victorian Ladies hats under the designer name Green Hart Hats. Mike is a master hatter well known for his quality workmanship in custom made cowboy hats and fedoras. The shop is a throwback to the old west and is a destination site for hat enthusiasts from all over the country. Falon, a singer, actress and a theater department graduate of The University of Memphis, is an experienced milliner, and costume seamstress. She adds a little panache to her hat designs.
No other article of clothing is as pondered or shopped for as the hat for Driving shows. Hats are a requirement for ladies in carriage driving events.The hat’s role in the turnout is all important for ladies. It must be stylish without being garrish. It must be large enough to make a statement without obstructing the view. It must match your carriage and clothes without blending in. It must stay on your head at a strong trot! Recently driving hats have become larger and more flamboyant.
Nashoba Carriage Association member and owner of Gypsy VannersReita Parham loves her hats. “I just bought 2 new hats today for the Feathered Horse Classic in about a week. I have gone ‘hat crazy.’ When I was in Florida at the Grand Oaks Classic, I had to have winter hats and am supposed to have a different outfit for each class, so I took five hats. Now it is spring, so I can't wear winter hats and had to get spring hats. I found out that I love hats and have loads of fun just shopping for hats. We are all willing to show off our hats whenever possible!”
Hats photo cutlines:
DSC_1048: Ms. Vivian Cole of Brentwood, TN sports her race day hat and artist’s horse pin at the Iroquois Steeplechase, May 2010.
DSC_1053: The Hat Contest is a staple of the Iroquois Steeplechase, individual winner with her swarming bees design (1056); 1054 – couples winner.
DSC_1055, 1057, 1058: Hat designer Michelle Hughes of Hampshire, TN creates a new Iroquois Steeplechase hat every year, all sporting a horse. This year’s (2010)model includes black tail feathers from a Phoenix rooster she raised. “He has 3- to 6- foot-long tail feathers,” she said. Her grandfather raised Tennessee Walking Horses and she trail rides on Tennessee Walking Horses. But the Iroquois Steeplechase is where you’ll find her every second Saturday in May.
Jill Cox & Tonna Bruce: at the GCHS June 2011
DSC_2100: Brooke Ballenger drives Claire, with Bob Martin.
DSC_1294, 1309: Tempe Chancellor at the 2010 GCHS.
DSC_1356: Wanda Chancellor at the 2010 GCHS.
DSC_1382: Costume class entry at the 2010 GCHS.
Michelle_hat_lady: Michelle Hughes rides her TWH Speckled Bird in the Mule Day Parade in Columbia, TN (2010). “He's my go-to horse: willing and adventurous. I would go homeless and live in a barn to keep him.” He turned 13 on May 9, 2012.
The tradition of wearing hats at horse racing events dates to the first year of the Royal Ascot horse race, located in the village of Ascot, Berkshire, England, in 1711. Globally, the Royal Ascot is known for being one of the most unique events to observe luxury fashion—particularly elaborate hats. This year’s Royal Ascot takes place June 19-23. The Royal Enclosure, the heart of the Royal Ascot, has a strict dress code, including a hat requirement for ladies: “Hats should be worn; a headpiece which has a base of 4 inches (10cm) or more in diameter is acceptable as an alternative to a hat.” A black or grey top hat is required for men, along with the required black or grey morning dress. Even girls (aged 10-16) are encouraged to wear hats: “Hats, headpieces or a fascinator may be worn but are not compulsory.” Admission to the Grandstand also requires hats for ladies: “A hat, headpiece or fascinator should be worn at all times.” (Ascot dress codes, updated for 2012, are available at: http://www.ascot.co.uk/)
Ladies hats are a tradition among the spectators at other equestrian events around the mid-south, including the Iroquois Steeplechase, and are a must for exhibitors in carriage driving events.
NFocus, the Nashville social scene magazine, sponsors the hat contest at the Iroquois Steeplechase. “In recent years, Steeplechase hats have reached the heights seen at The Royal Ascot, Kentucky Derby and yes, the Royal Wedding,” according to NFocus hat judge Gloria Houghland. To increase her competency at hat judging, Houghland sought the expertise of Christine A. Moore, who is considered the “hat designer of the Triple Crown,” Houghland wrote, receiving a “hat-centric education” for her judging duties at the 2011 Iroquois Steeplechase.
Amateur hat designer Michelle Hughes of Hampshire, TN creates a new Iroquois Steeplechase hat every year, all sporting a horse. This year she is making eight hats, and will be selling them for the first time (she usually gives them away). Four will be on display at Belle Meade Plantation and four at the St. Jude Boutique. She has been attending and making hats for the Iroquois for the last four years. “I usually make my own hat and one for my friend to match her outfit. This year I’ll be making three or four hats for the Iroquois for my friends.” She also made a hat for Mule Day, held each spring in Columbia, TN. Last year the theme was Southern Comfort, so her hat was tailored to the theme.
Michelle finds materials for her hat creations at a variety of places: “I go to Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Jo-Ann Fabrics, and Goodwill.” This year she’s doing a hat in Irish linen with some linen she found at Goodwill. “I put horses in all my hats and I find them at yard sales, Goodwill, and TSC in the toy section. The best ones I find are at yard sales – they have character from children playing with them. I always look for horses with character!” Hughes said.
Her 2010 Iroquois hat featured long tail feathers from her Phoenix rooster, whose tail feathers could reach six feet in length. He has since passed on, but she has other resources for feathers for her hats. “My girlfriend has a Palm turkey; my cousin has Peacocks and I pick up their feathers after they shed.” She also finds wild turkey and hawk feathers that have been shed.
“This year big, bold flowers are in,” Hughes said, so her hats will be replete with colorful flowers. “I found some gorgeous ones at the Dollar Store,” she boasted. And greenery is important, too. Her 2010 hat sported ferns. “Greenery really accentuates the color,” she explained.
Falon Jones at Mike Moore’s Buckaroo Hatters on the square in Covington, Tennessee, makes Victorian Ladies hats under the designer name Green Hart Hats. Mike is a master hatter well known for his quality workmanship in custom made cowboy hats and fedoras. The shop is a throwback to the old west and is a destination site for hat enthusiasts from all over the country. Falon, a singer, actress and a theater department graduate of The University of Memphis, is an experienced milliner, and costume seamstress. She adds a little panache to her hat designs.
No other article of clothing is as pondered or shopped for as the hat for Driving shows. Hats are a requirement for ladies in carriage driving events.The hat’s role in the turnout is all important for ladies. It must be stylish without being garrish. It must be large enough to make a statement without obstructing the view. It must match your carriage and clothes without blending in. It must stay on your head at a strong trot! Recently driving hats have become larger and more flamboyant.
Nashoba Carriage Association member and owner of Gypsy VannersReita Parham loves her hats. “I just bought 2 new hats today for the Feathered Horse Classic in about a week. I have gone ‘hat crazy.’ When I was in Florida at the Grand Oaks Classic, I had to have winter hats and am supposed to have a different outfit for each class, so I took five hats. Now it is spring, so I can't wear winter hats and had to get spring hats. I found out that I love hats and have loads of fun just shopping for hats. We are all willing to show off our hats whenever possible!”
Hats photo cutlines:
DSC_1048: Ms. Vivian Cole of Brentwood, TN sports her race day hat and artist’s horse pin at the Iroquois Steeplechase, May 2010.
DSC_1053: The Hat Contest is a staple of the Iroquois Steeplechase, individual winner with her swarming bees design (1056); 1054 – couples winner.
DSC_1055, 1057, 1058: Hat designer Michelle Hughes of Hampshire, TN creates a new Iroquois Steeplechase hat every year, all sporting a horse. This year’s (2010)model includes black tail feathers from a Phoenix rooster she raised. “He has 3- to 6- foot-long tail feathers,” she said. Her grandfather raised Tennessee Walking Horses and she trail rides on Tennessee Walking Horses. But the Iroquois Steeplechase is where you’ll find her every second Saturday in May.
Jill Cox & Tonna Bruce: at the GCHS June 2011
DSC_2100: Brooke Ballenger drives Claire, with Bob Martin.
DSC_1294, 1309: Tempe Chancellor at the 2010 GCHS.
DSC_1356: Wanda Chancellor at the 2010 GCHS.
DSC_1382: Costume class entry at the 2010 GCHS.
Michelle_hat_lady: Michelle Hughes rides her TWH Speckled Bird in the Mule Day Parade in Columbia, TN (2010). “He's my go-to horse: willing and adventurous. I would go homeless and live in a barn to keep him.” He turned 13 on May 9, 2012.
