Del Mar Opening Day Fashion Through the Years

Few events capture Southern California style quite like Opening Day at the Del Mar Racetrack. The horses may command attention once they reach the starting gate, but before the first race begins, the grandstand becomes a runway of dramatic hats, polished tailoring, colorful dresses, and guests who clearly did not come dressed to disappear into the crowd.

As Del Mar prepares to open its 2026 summer racing season on Friday, July 17, FINE Magazine is looking back at one of our vintage racetrack-inspired fashion shoots. The clothing reflects another moment in San Diego style, but the spirit behind the photographs still feels perfectly at home in Del Mar.

There are sweeping hats, crisp menswear, vivid color, sparkling jewelry, and even a handsome horse named Billy the Kid. In other words, it has nearly everything an Opening Day fashion story requires.

Del Mar Style Has Always Loved a Little Drama

Opening Day fashion has never been about quietly blending in. It is an invitation to wear the hat that might feel too extravagant anywhere else, reach for brighter color, and give traditional daytime dressing a more playful Southern California personality.

In this archival shoot, classic striped shirts and neutral trousers appear alongside turquoise dresses, diamond jewelry, statement sunglasses, sculptural hats, and gold accents. Some individual pieces are unmistakably connected to the period in which the photographs were taken, but many of the broader styling ideas remain relevant.

A well-cut jacket still gives men an immediate advantage. A great hat still has the power to transform a simple dress. Jewelry still adds polish, and coordinated accessories still make an outfit look considered rather than hurriedly assembled on the morning of the races.

The Hats Remain the Main Attraction

Fashion changes, but Opening Day’s enthusiasm for memorable headwear has never gone out of style. The annual Del Mar Opening Day Hats Contest returns in 2026 with categories celebrating glamorous hats, fascinators, floral designs, and racing-inspired creations.

The hats featured in this FINE shoot range from a swirling orange feather design to structured straw brims and traditional fedoras. Each one demonstrates a different approach to trackside dressing.

The strongest hats do more than sit on top of an outfit. They help establish its entire mood. A wide brim can make a light summer dress feel instantly elegant, while a fedora gives relaxed menswear a sharper finish. A fascinator, meanwhile, can supply all the theater of a larger hat without requiring its own seat at lunch.

The enduring lesson is simple: choose the hat early. Building an outfit around memorable headwear is usually easier than finding a hat that cooperates with an already completed look.

Menswear Built Around Polished Ease

The men in the shoot wear combinations that remain familiar at Del Mar: collared shirts, light-colored trousers, leather belts, loafers, watches, and fedoras. Although the individual labels belong to the original editorial period, the balance between refinement and comfort remains useful.

Del Mar is not the place for heavy business attire that looks borrowed from a board meeting. Lightweight fabrics, natural shades, subtle patterns, and breathable layers are better suited to a sunny afternoon near the coast.

A sport coat or tailored suit can establish the foundation, while a striped or lightly colored shirt keeps the look from feeling overly formal. Shoes should be polished, but they should also survive the walk from the car, time near the paddock, and several hours of standing and socializing.

Color Has Always Belonged at the Racetrack

Turquoise, coral, white, gold, and soft neutral shades bring energy to the women’s looks in these photographs. That use of color continues to suit Del Mar, where coastal sunshine and an exuberant social atmosphere make overly serious dressing feel unnecessary.

The most successful outfits generally allow one element to take the lead. A vivid dress may need only understated shoes and jewelry. A neutral outfit can accommodate a more elaborate hat. A bold print usually looks more intentional when the surrounding accessories are restrained.

The goal is not to match every component perfectly. It is to create enough visual connection that the hat, dress, jewelry, shoes, and handbag appear to have met before arriving at the racetrack.

A Fashion Moment From the FINE Archives

This shoot is preserved as part of FINE Magazine’s fashion history. Several of the original boutiques and product collections are no longer available, so the photographs should be enjoyed as editorial inspiration rather than a current shopping guide.

What remains relevant is the confidence behind the clothing. Opening Day gives guests permission to dress with more imagination than an ordinary summer afternoon might allow. It is one of those rare occasions when a dramatic hat, a brilliant turquoise dress, a pristine white ensemble, or a carefully chosen pocket square does not feel excessive. It feels appropriate.

For readers planning what to wear this year, FINE’s upcoming guide to What to Wear to Del Mar Opening Day in 2026 will cover current dress expectations, modern hat ideas, men’s and women’s outfit inspiration, practical footwear, accessories, and the small details that can help an outfit last comfortably through the final race.

Del Mar’s 2026 summer season begins Friday, July 17, and continues through Labor Day, Monday, September 7. Readers can find current racing dates, tickets, event details, and official Opening Day information through the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.

Photography and Creative Team

Photography

Jonah Gilmore, Rocket Science Photography

Hair and Makeup

Dez Ortiz, D.O.M.A., Dez O Makeup Artistry

Narrative

Michelle Armstrong and Heather Winfield

Models

Amber Montgomery

Elsa Martinez Merritt

Justin Farr

Tracy Burr

Location

Rocky Mountain Ranch and Stone Steps Beach in Encinitas, California

Special thanks to Billy the Kid and his owner, Michael Citrin.

Related Articles You May Enjoy From FINE Magazine

• Tips on What to Wear to the Del Mar Opening Day Races
• Mark Your Calendar for Del Mar Racetrack’s Summer Racing Season