Christine A. Moore talks hatinators, racetrack style, Breeders' Cup

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Models Jo Scott, Bailey Gallison, and Natalie Resendiz posing and wearing hats by Christine A. Moore Millinery at Santa Anita Park, against the backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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Models wear headband-like fascinators or “hatinators” -- a hybrid of a hat and fascinator -- that have been most popular at the track. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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Model Ciara Austin wearing a hat by Christine A. Moore Millinery at Santa Anita Park. Moore’s designs are the official hats of the Breeders’ Cup. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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Model Jo Scott sipping wine in a hat from Christine A. Moore Millinery. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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Model Jo Scott posing with a hat by Christine A. Moore. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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A model wearing a hat by Christine A. Moore watches a race at Santa Anita Park. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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Christine A. Moore, who is the official hat maker for the Breeders’ Cup, is seen in the mirror below model Molly McGill with one of her hats in the Champions! Santa Anita gift shop at Santa Anita Park. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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Christine A. Moore Millinery, the official hat maker for the Breeders Cup, fitting model Molly McGill with one of her hats in the Champions! Santa Anita gift shop. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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Model Jo Scott wearing a hat by Christine A. Moore Millinery at Santa Anita Park. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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Model Jo Scott. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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Model Jo Scott taking a picture of model Natalie Resendiz at Santa Anita Park. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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Models Ciara Austin, Natalie Resendiz and Jo Scott taking a selfie. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Oct. 18, 2014 8:29 AM PT

Milliner Christine A. Moore answered some of our questions about racetrack style.

You’ve said that each race has its own look. How does each city and its spectator style differ?

I start by designing hats in my own style and then morph it to look like the style of each individual track. Del Mar has a sexier look, Chicago is vintage-retro, the Derby is Southern belle and Santa Anita is sophisticated. Belmont is very New York City. It’s tailored and sharp.

Describe what a hatinator is and why it has been so popular with race-goers.

Fascinators are a European look, and hats are more American. A hatinator is a hybrid of the two. It’s like a cocktail hat but a little larger. It will shade you, but you can see more of person’s face than with a hat. A hatinator frames the face better and fits more styles and faces. Since the Breeders’ Cup is really an international race, the style suits both Europeans and Americans.

What are some other big headwear trends we might be seeing at the Breeders’ Cup?

Purple has been big in the market. It’s also the main color of the Breeders’ Cup. In 2012 I couldn’t sell a purple hat, so last year I couldn’t believe how many purple preorders there were. We sold out of all our purple styles. [Racehorse] California Chrome’s colors are purple and green, so that worked well as far as pushing purple forward.

Are couples attending races in coordinating looks?

People are getting into dressing as a couple. For instance, the man’s bow tie might match his wife’s hat. At the Breeders’ Cup, the fedora is really popular with men, and it coordinates well with the fascinator because they’re both small. Bow ties have also become a huge, huge trend in racing and especially at the Breeders’ Cup. Even though the Breeders’ Cup is 31 years old, they are the new, hot kid on the block. Even if you attend and are not dressed up, part of the fun is seeing what other people are wearing. People count on the event being a fashion show.

— Melissa Magsaysay

Christine A. Moore talks hatinators, racetrack style, Breeders’ Cup

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