Belmont Stakes Fashion Guide: Backyard to Champagne Room

The backyard at Belmont Park is one of my favorite places to hang out during the day – while it’s first-come, first-served there are countless picnic tables, benches and areas to “set up camp,” countless betting windows and numerous televisions to catch the races if you chose not to watch from the apron.
Did I mention there’s even a duck pond?
For a laid-back, summer vibe chose for this year's Belmont Stakes this ‘metral’ trim straw fedora and insanely cute matte black kitty shades to start. Next up, and my second main concern when at the track, is shoe comfort. These three-tone Levity sandals are where it’s at – cute and great to wear for extended periods of time. Throw on a feminine, floral high-low dress from Delias, swipe on this glamorous Lipstick Queen lipstick, adorn your fingers with this 6 gold-tone pink stone ring stack, your ears with some classic teal studs and you’re rockin’ the perfect look for the backyard. Finish off the look with the Mini Dorthy Perkins red bowler bag, which is adorable and, similar to the lipstick, I love the pop of color it adds for a magnificent day at the races.
Belmont Backyard by Victoria Garofalo
  
How could I not make a California Chrome-themed outfit when he’s pretty much all I’ve been thinking and hearing about since he crossed the Preakness finish line first? He’s going to attempt the most elusive feat in all of horse racing, the Triple Crown, something only 11 other horses have ever accomplished. Dressing in “Dumb Ass Partners” purple and green colors is fun!
I started with this purple, retro sinamay headpiece and 1950s-inspired skater dress with scoop neckline and tie-back cutout from Oasis  – classic and chic. Then I found this tapestry horse purse and comfortable, tan Sole Style wedges (cute and more importantly comfortable for a long day) to add some equestrian flair and pull the outfit together. Throw on the Sence Copenhagen snake bracelet, a monogramed necklace layered with a horseshoe one (something I do regularly), swipe on some fun, purple lipstick and you’re already a winner for the day!
California Chrome by Victoria Garofalo

 
I’ll get to handicapping the incredible Belmont Stakes card NOW because this Philip Treacy red flower beret is absolutely stunning, and I want to add it to my growing collection! It adds the perfect pop of attitude with the red and some fun with the chic, floral adornments. While it’s out of my budget, I just couldn’t resist planning this outfit around it.
Keeping with the Manhattan chic-theme, I wanted to keep the color scheme simple and classic: black and white with pops of red.
I chose this black and white striped River Island dress, paired it with Ava & Aiden two-piece black sandals and a black Kate Spade wallet clutch. For jewelry, I wanted to keep it simple with small Gold studs and this charming, equestrian Max & Chloe open-bangle horseshoe bracelet. Smack on this fabulous YSL “Le Rouge” lipstick and you’re off to a fabulous day at the races.
Belmont Chic by Victoria Garofalo

Whatever you wear, be sure to upload your pictures to Instagram and use the hashtag #AmericasBestFashion to show up here on our site!