Dress to Impress
This guide is here to help you feel confident, comfortable, and racetrack-ready
Statement Looks
Choose what suits you best
Dress It Up
- Midi, tea-length, or maxi dress
- Solid brights, florals, or pastels
- Flowy or tailored — bring your version of elegance
Statement Looks
Choose what suits you best
Suited & Styled
- Lightweight suit or blazer (linen, cotton, summer wool)
- Colour palettes: navy, light grey, tan, pastels
- Tie, bowtie, or open collar — your call
Statement Looks
Choose what suits you best
Headwear (Highly encouraged!)
- Fascinator, wide-brim hat, fedora, crown, or custom creation
- Coordinate or contrast — make it you
Statement Looks
Choose what suits you best
Footwear
- Block heels, wedges, oxfords, loafers, or smart flats
- Choose shoes that work for walking (there’s grass and stairs!)
- Comfort + polish = win
Statement Looks
Choose what suits you best
Accessories
- Clutch, crossbody, or structured handbag
- Pocket squares, bold jewelry, layered necklaces, lapel pins
- Sunglasses & sunscreen — practical can be stylish
Quick Look Ideas
Mix and match to fit your energy:
- Floral midi dress + fascinator + nude block heels
- Pastel jumpsuit + wide-brim hat + platform sandals
- Navy suit + white shirt + loafers + no tie
- Tan blazer + floral shirt + white trousers + brown shoes
- Light grey suit + pastel shirt + pocket square
- Skirt suit + statement lip + custom headpiece + structured clutch
What to Avoid
To help everyone enjoy the experience, here are a few things to skip:
- Casual shorts, jeans, or graphic t-shirts
- Sneakers, flip flops, or beachwear
- Wrinkled or heavy fabrics (summer heat is real)
- Note: Jeans, shorts, and running shoes are not accepted on Level 4
Hat Couture
When coordinating your King’s Plate look, start at the top. Hat couture takes center stage once again with a blend of classic styles and avant-garde designs.
Oversized brims adorned with feathers, whimsical fascinators, bold fedoras and vibrant floral accents will add a touch of drama and elegance to every ensemble.
A Bold return of colour
Neutral tones and understated patterns will always be a fine starting point for fashion. But 2025 heralds a resurgence of bold colors and eye-catching prints in horseracing fashion.
Vibrant hues like electric blue, fiery red, and emerald green can exude energy and charisma. Your fashion statement should be a reflection of your true personality.
ACCESSORIZE ACCORDINGLY
As your outfit acts as the canvas, accessories are opportunities for captivating flourishes. Statement jewelry pieces, from bold chandelier earrings to intricate cufflinks, add a touch of opulence to every ensemble.
Luxurious silk scarves, classic pocket squares, and embellished clutches can complete your look with refinement or bold flair.
SET YOUR OWN TREND
Traditions are merely trends that have stood the test of time. Embrace your individuality and inspire others to do the same.
Whether it’s through a bold rethink of accepted patterns, an unexpected use of shape or contrast, or a whimsical accessory that allows you to step outside typical confines, this is your opportunity to strut as proudly as our magnificent thoroughbreds.
Official Milliner Ranelle Larocque
Ranelle Larocque is an award-winning milliner and the owner of Queen Bee Millinery, where she creates exquisite, handcrafted hats and headpieces. As the Official Milliner for The King’s Plate (2024 & 2025), her designs grace some of the world’s most prestigious events, including Royal Ascot, the Kentucky Derby, and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday garden party.
Recognized for her artistry and innovation, Ranelle was honoured with the Queen’s Hat Exhibition Innovation Award in Milan for her contemporary vision of headwear. Her business, Queen Bee Millinery, was also named Business of the Year 2024 by the Perth & District Chamber of Commerce. She was voted Ottawa’s Best Fashion Designer (2023) and earned second place in HATalk magazine’s 2024 hat competition. A member of the British Millinery Association, she trained under acclaimed milliner Katherine Elizabeth in London, England.
At Queen Bee Millinery, Ranelle’s designs blend vibrant racewear with timeless elegance, each piece meticulously handcrafted to reflect individuality and sophistication. Her work has been featured on CP24, Breakfast Television, Global News, CBC Radio’s All in a Day, The Humm, Eastern Ontario Business Journal, and Ottawa Business Journal.
Beyond her atelier, she is a passionate advocate for millinery, serving as co-chair and organizer of Toronto’s inaugural World Hat Walk (2025).
With a dedication to craftsmanship and a forward-thinking approach to design, Ranelle continues to shape the future of millinery, bringing her artistry to clients worldwide.
On July 21, 2025, Ranelle Larocque of Queen Bee Millinery, the official milliner for The King’s Plate, appeared on The Morning Show on Global News to share a preview of this year’s hottest hat trends.
Fashion enthusiasts are treated to a spectacle of style and sophistication unlike any other. From extravagant hats to sustainable couture, the fashion trends shaping the racetrack scene blend tradition with innovation, creating a sartorial landscape that is both timeless and contemporary. With each outfit meticulously curated to embody elegance and charm, horseracing fashion captivates the imagination and celebrates the enduring allure of the sport in every stitch and seam.
Stay Tuned for The 167th King's Plate in 2026
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