Belmont Derby Invitational 2014; Stars, Stripes, Food Trucks, Fashion

Belmont Derby Invitational 2014; Stars, Stripes, Food Trucks, Fashion: The 2014 Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes at Belmont Park is set to take place this Saturday July 5th at Belmont Park. Just because the race takes place the day after Independence Day does not mean that you cannot take part of Independence Day weekend festivities. Belmont Park features the inaugural Stars and Stripes Day, which is an entire weekend of celebrating and racing. The main featured race on Stars and Stripes Day at Belmont Park will be the Belmont Derby Invitational which carries a $1.25 million dollar purse, but the Stars and Stripes Festival will also include the grade 1 Belmont Oaks Invitational and the Suburban Handicap, the Belmont Sprint Championship, and the Dwyer Stakes.

What to plan…

Besides a fun-filled weekend of racing, The Stars and Stripes Festival will include a food truck festival featuring some of the best food trucks from and surrounding New York City and a shaded picnic area to enjoy your delicious findings. There will also be a commemorative t-shirt giveaway. Admission at the gates will begin at 11:00 am on Saturday July 5th and the admission price is $5 for general non-reserved seating. Reserved seats will cost an additional $2 and box seats are $4.

What to wear…

If you do decide to go for the box seats on Belmont Park’s Stars and Stripes Day make sure your attire is up to code, which is dresses, skirts, or slacks for ladies and suits or sports jackets for the men. No shorts or jeans are allowed. When considering what to wear go ahead and get in the spirit of the festivities and go for one of this summer’s biggest trends, the nautical look. Think clean lines and red, white, and blue and stripes. Just make sure to stay away from stars and stripes together. You want look festive and fashionable, not like a literal flag.

Although Kate Middleton is a Brit, look to her for inspiration on how to achieve the perfect nautical look. She makes it look fun and classy and certainly knows how to pull off a navy striped look. When trying to find nautical looks, search for clean cuts and classic shapes like pencil skirts and boat neck striped shirts and gold accents help bring the look up a notch. You might also try a fun anchor print for a more quirky take on the nautical trend. Try this a striped nautical inspired top tucked into a white pencil skirt or switch up the look with the stripes on the bottom like one of the striped skirts (pictured below) paired with a clean white button up oxford shirt. You can also go with a red striped blazer as a fun nautical accent piece.

Normally, anchors all over might be a bit much, but for a 4th of July weekend celebration, the navy and white anchor print dress (pictured below) is perfect. It is fun and festive but the shape is also classic and flattering.

For your hat or fascinator choose a bold pop of red or if you a wearing red then choose a crisp white topper. We especially love the patriot piece by Christine Moore featured at the Fashion at the Races online store. Either way you will be sure to stand out and look festive and have fun at Belmont Park for the Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes and their inaugural Stars and Stripes Day!

For additional up-to-date information on Stars & Stripes Day at Belmont Park visit nyra.com/belmont.

Suggested Stars & Stripes Day at Belmont Park Attire: