Being British, I love a good hat. I also love any excuse to wear a hat. With a grandmother who sported some of the loveliest hat fashions during her time living across the pond, I have hat wearing in my DNA.
A beautiful hat or fascinator are truly works of art. I find it really sad that most North Americans haven’t really embraced the notion of hats for special occasions like British women and Southern Belles. My love of hats was reignited during my trip down to Saratoga Springs which has more milliners per square foot than anywhere else this far north!
Why am I going on about hats, you ask? Because I’ve been enlisted as a hat contest judge for Polo In The Park, a fundraising event benefitting the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health and TROtt (TROtt (Therapeutic Riding Association of Ottawa-Carleton). I’m super excited to get dressed up, pin my biggest and best fascinator to my hair, and stomp some divots!
Polo In The Park, organized by the Rotary Club of Ottawa South and the Ottawa Polo Club, will be taking place Saturday, August 27, 2016 from 10am – 6pm at Wesley Clover Parks located at 401 Corkston Road.
Polo, (“hockey on horseback” for us Canucks), is a traditional sport with a storied history. Favoured by the likes of Prince William, polo is an exclusive sport requiring great skill and agility. Many polo events in Great Britain are glamourous occasions, with women wearing their finest, stomping divots while teetering on their Sophia Websters. My sort of event.
Polo In The Park will have activities for all, so bring the little ones and enjoy everything from several polo matches, dog agility and horseback riding demonstrations, a children’s play area with face painting, hay rides and more, wine and beer tent and my favourite, a hat contest!
Cannot wait to see you all there and be sure to wear your best hats! You might be the hat contest winner! Need a hat? Treat yourself to a classy topper from Chapeaux de Madeleine, Ottawa’s milliner of choice specializing in luxury styles including intricate fascinators. If you visit her store and present your Polo In The Park ticket, you’ll receive 20% off.
Need a ticket? Enter my giveaway by leaving a comment below or by leaving a comment on my Facebook blog page. One lucky winner will be chosen one week from today and will receive two tickets to this fun event! Come visit me too – I’ll be wearing a big hat, hiding in the wine tent from the horses. I have a bit of a horse phobia…
Curious about Chapeaux de Madeleine’s offerings? Here are some shots from the Polo In The Park photoshoot that myself and some local bloggers did with YOW City Style. As you can see, Madeleine offers styles to suit any fancy.
See you on the 27th!
*Photography courtesy of Katie Hession, YOW City Style
Dominique is a Canadian-based fashion and beauty influencer with a strong voice in Ottawa’s black community. Since launching her blog Style Domination in 2015, she has amassed a global fanbase. Dominique shares her life through beautiful imagery and compelling story-telling that speaks to her fans on a personal level. She’s been featured in The Guardian, Flare, The Kit and Cityline. She also hosts events for Dress for Success, the Gem Conference, and has been named a United Way Person 2 Know for the past three years.
Congratulations on being selected to judge the competition.
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Thanks, Aunt Sophie! This should prove to be really fun!
Excited to go try on some hats now! I didn’t know there was going to be a contest!
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Have fun picking a winner! xoxox
Not everyday in Ottawa do you have the chance to dress up like this!
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Exactly – that’s why I’m so excited! I can’t wait! xo
Love the jumper! The hats are always exquisite!
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Thank you so much!
Love that colour on you!
Slay Girl Slay!! Wow!! Talk to me on Snap Chat please!!!
You know how to find me!
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Thank you so much, Davis! I’ll check out your snapchat!