Well hello there, Mr. Fancy Pants

You’re looking quite cheeky

By: Wilson Hardcastle

Published On: May 26, 2010

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The first time I brought an out-of-town “fashion” friend (that is to say, someone in the fashion industry) to the Iroquois Steeplechase, he remarked as we entered the field: “Oh my. It’s pretty amazing to see Ralph Lauren in context. There really aren’t that many appropriate occasions for salmon pants.” With the average age of the Iroquois Steeplechase goer skewing younger and younger, and the BAC of the infield skewing higher and higher, the fashion bar for race day has been dropping faster than an underage tailgater. Flip flops on girls: acceptable. Flip flops on women: debatable. Flip flops on men: I’m rescinding your wristband. 

Over the past several years, summer jackets and ties may have been giving way to bermuda shorts and polo shirts, but the Iroquois remains the Nashville event for southern gentlemen, young and old, to strut their pastel stuff. Outside of an Easter parade or a racetrack, some of these wardrobe choices would come off as costume. While the lackadaisical newbie may dress from his closet of A&F and Banana shirts, others see the day as the capital-E Event that it is and seize the opportunity for shopping or seersucker. 

This year, both boxers and infielders embraced Race Day with sartorial splendor of linen, seersucker and race-themed prints and ties.  Tip of the hat to those gentlemen who found horse-print ties and pants, and hats off to those who shopped for official Iroquois-themed ware which benefitted the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. There were jumping ties and stirrup pants (printed with stirrups, not malware mall ware), grandiose horse prints and simple equestrian accents. Jeans are verboten, or should be, and khakis are appropriate. There is no shame in the simple khaki as it provides the muted canvas for all the men of the Fancy Pants clan to stand out. There was almost every food color of linen and seersucker pant, patchworks of pastels and even a set of pantaloons. While the pantaloons tended more to the loon than to pants, the sheer enthusiasm compensated for the sheer fabric. And extra points for cheek.

While fancy pants do set a racer apart from the field, the coolness of this year’s race day afforded some gentleman the opportunity to sport their fancy coats. Blue seersucker is formal wear for southern summer races, and some men found the standout, white dinner jacket equivalent in linen blazers of pink or green or pink, and seersucker jackets in green, yellow or tan. You’ve got to love a gentleman who has these in their closet for just such occasions. 

Mint juleps and a pastel wardrobe are the true summer treats of the races. While the looming Swan Ball is a night for everyone to look their best, the Iroquois is the day for everyone to look their brightest.