It’s Carolina Cup Time – A Premier Rite of Spring Event

By Brian Maynor
March 28, 2014

What are you wearing to the cup?  That has undoubtedly been one of the most-asked questions and dilemmas over the past week.

For those of you not familiar with the Carolina Cup, it is one of the premier social events in South Carolina and the official kick-off to spring.  ‘The Cup’ as it is commonly known is a horse race-meeting with a party atmosphere.  Sure some people attend to watch the six races, but suffice it to say most go for the tents; elaborate tailgating and a parade of spring fashion.  

The Cup this Saturday you still have time to grab your friends and a new outfit for the big day and here are some tips and ideas to consider:

1.    Like a show, the races will go on.  Rain, wind or shine the races will be held, so you definitely want to check the weather and dress appropriately, but remember it is an all-day event in SC, so there will undoubtedly be a range of temperatures and weather.

Cotton is probably your best bet when it comes to material.  It comes in various weights, textures and can be layered effortlessly.  It is also easily cleanable, a key factor for your cup outfit, because it will get dirty.

2.    The more colorful and preppy the better.  With Lilly Pulitzer and Vineyard Vines event sponsors you can imagine the general mood of the event: colorful prints, polos and embroidered seersucker.  When you are wearing an outfit for extended periods of time and moving around a lot, prints are actually very useful.  They disguise wrinkles and any stains that may occur throughout the day.

While the Kentucky Derby may still be five weeks away, The Cup is also a great practice run for finding the perfect headpiece.  You will see ladies in an array of hats, while the guys tend to don primarily ball caps and Croakies.  This year try stepping it up with a tribly and metal frame aviators.  They are simple substitutions that elevate your look tremendously.

3.    Leave the stilettos at home.  This is an outdoor event and no place for stilettos.  You want to look your best after all, not like a teetering teenager in her first pair of heels.  Regardless of the weather many ladies opt for sandals, some will wear wedges and others flats, which are very trendy this year.  Like the Boy Scouts, it’s always smart to be prepared, so I suggest keeping a pair of wellies; pants and a cover-up in the car.  It may be parked a half-mile away, but that is closer than going home if you need a quick costume change.

4.    Accessories.  Hats and shoes aside, this isn’t just another backyard barbeque.  That means your tote bag; dishes; plastic cups and silverware must all be planned and coordinated.  Glass is strictly prohibited but thankfully there are a lot of safe, durable acrylic options to be found.  

Yes, the Carolina Cup is fun and a great chance to hang out with 65,000 of your closest friends, but it is also a place to see and be seen.  You want to take time to really pull together an outfit that looks great, but is also venue appropriate.  For more information or to purchase your tickets to this year’s Carolina Cup check out the event website:  http://www.carolina-cup.org.

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

I am always curious to hear about your weekend wardrobe dilemmas and help make your work wardrobe pull double duty.  Email your questions, quandaries and conundrums to [email protected].  Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.

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