Christine Moore Hats at Iroquois Steeplechase: Race Day Style in Nashville
In Middle Tennessee, the Iroquois Steeplechase is one of the region’s most anticipated spring events. Held each May at Percy Warner Park in Nashville, Tennessee, it’s known for its horse racing, tailgating, and race-day fashion. The event draws thousands each year, blending a long-standing sporting tradition with a strong focus on personal style. It is one of the few local events where fashion becomes part of the experience, and hats remain at the center of it.
For more than a decade, Christine Moore, founder of New York-based Christine A. Moore Millinery, has been part of that tradition, returning each year with a collection that reflects both craftsmanship and personality. Her designs stand out for their structure, color, and hand-finished details, but the approach behind them is just as distinctive. Rather than following seasonal trends, Moore draws on a background that is shaped as much by performance as by fashion. We spoke with her during a recent trunk show at Gus Mayer, a Nashville boutique known for designer fashion, to learn more about her work and how it connects to Steeplechase style.
Christine Moore Millinery: From Costume Design to Race Day Hats
Before she focused on hats, Moore was working in costume design. After college, she spent time as an assistant designer at the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia, where she was introduced to the collaborative and detail-oriented nature of theatrical production. It was there that she first worked alongside a milliner, an experience that would later influence her career.
She eventually transitioned into fashion, but found the industry to be a different environment. Unlike theater, where collaboration is central, fashion was more competitive and trend-driven. For a time, she tried to find her place within that structure, but it did not fully align with her instincts or creative approach.
The turning point came when she was introduced to the fashion culture surrounding horse racing in Louisville. Watching how people dressed for events like the Kentucky Derby shifted her perspective.
“This is theatrical fashion,” she said. “This is theater.”
That realization gave her a clear direction. She began combining her background in costume design with millinery, creating pieces that feel more personal than trend-based fashion. Today, that influence still shows in her work, with each hat designed to stand on its own rather than simply complete an outfit.
Handmade Hats & Steeplechase Style: Inside Christine A. Moore Millinery
Every hat in Moore’s collection is made through a detailed, hands-on process. While she sources certain base materials, much of the work is completed in-house, including dyeing, shaping, and finishing each design. That level of control allows her to maintain consistency while also experimenting with new ideas.
“Everything is really thought out,” she said.
Her team plays an important role in that process, though she notes that millinery is not a skill many people come in with. Instead, she looks for individuals who can sew and are willing to learn, training them in the techniques required to create her designs. Because her style is specific, there is a learning curve involved in producing pieces that match her vision.
That attention to detail carries through to the range of styles seen at events like the Iroquois Steeplechase. While many clients are drawn to traditional race-day looks, Moore’s work also includes more unconventional designs. Over the years, she has created themed pieces that move beyond standard expectations, including a series of “cheese fascinators” for a promotional campaign, carefully constructed to feel polished while still referencing the concept.
Projects like that show how far hat design can go beyond traditional styles. While Steeplechase style often leans toward polished, event-ready looks, there is still room for creativity.
At the same time, Moore is clear that there is no single way to approach race-day fashion. Wide-brim hats, smaller styles, neutral tones, and bold colors all have a place, depending on the individual and the look they are trying to achieve. Each piece reflects the same level of craftsmanship, whether it’s a classic design or something more unique.
Iroquois Steeplechase Fashion vs Kentucky Derby Style: What Sets It Apart
While Moore’s work is often associated with major racing events, her connection to the Iroquois Steeplechase has developed over time. Through her long-standing relationship with Gus Mayer, she has returned to Nashville for roughly 12 years, watching the event evolve into a stronger fashion moment.
What stands out to her about the Iroquois is how it differs from other races on the calendar. Compared to the Kentucky Derby, which is often associated with more structured and sometimes high-pressure fashion expectations, Steeplechase offers more flexibility. The setting itself plays a role in that shift. Guests are outside on the grass, moving between tailgates and viewing areas, dealing with heat, sun, and the occasional unpredictable weather.
“There’s a freedom to the Iroquois Steeplechase that you don’t have at Derby,” she explained.
That freedom does not mean people are less intentional about what they wear. In many ways, the opposite is true. Attendees still want to look put together, but the approach tends to be more personal and less rigid. Some lean into traditional race-day style, while others experiment with color, scale, or statement pieces, especially with the presence of hat contests and the growing visibility of the event on social media.
Moore has noticed that shift over time, particularly as Steeplechase has become more established as a fashion-focused event in its own right. While there is still a mix of styles across the crowd, there is a noticeable increase in people pushing themselves a bit further, choosing looks that feel more expressive than in previous years.
What to Wear to Iroquois Steeplechase: Comfort, Hats, and Footwear
When it comes to getting dressed for the Iroquois Steeplechase, Moore’s advice starts with a simple rule: don’t start with the hat. Instead, begin with the outfit. The dress, or overall look, sets the direction and helps narrow down options.
“The dress tells me everything,” she said. “It gives me an instant sense of what someone wants to say.”
From there, the focus shifts to balance. A structured or detailed outfit may call for a simpler hat, while a more understated look can support something larger or more statement-making. Color also plays a role, with some people drawn to softer tones and others toward brighter or more saturated shades.
At the same time, practicality matters. Steeplechase takes place outdoors, often in warm weather, and the right hat can make a difference.
“You actually stay cooler with a hat because you have your shade with you,” Moore said.
While fascinators remain popular, they do not offer the same sun coverage and can lead to uneven exposure throughout the day. A hat provides both style and function.
Comfort extends beyond the hat itself. Footwear is just as important, particularly given the grass and uneven ground throughout the event.
“It’s okay to wear sneakers,” she said.
The goal is not to choose between style and practicality, but to find a balance that works for the entire day. Whether selecting a wide-brim hat, a smaller style, or something more bold, the best choice is one that fits comfortably, works with the outfit, and feels easy to wear from arrival through the final race.
Where to Buy Hats at Iroquois Steeplechase in Nashville
At the Iroquois Steeplechase, Christine Moore’s hats are available on-site for those looking to complete their look or make a last-minute addition. Her booth is located in the vendor village near the entrance, close to a small bell tower just before the box seating area, making it an easy stop on the way in.
Guests can browse the collection and make purchases throughout the day. The location has also become a natural gathering point before heading into the event. Moore and her team photograph attendees as they make their way toward the boxes, capturing race-day style and sharing it on social media. For many, it’s a chance to take photos, document their look, and mark the start of the day before the races begin.
As Moore puts it, “The best souvenir from the races is a great hat!”
Outside of race day, her hats are available locally at Gus Mayer in Nashville, where she will return for another trunk show on May 4 through 10, offering the opportunity to shop the collection before the event. They are also available through the Christine A. Moore Millinery website.
Iroquois Steeplechase Nashville: Fashion and Event Coverage
For a closer look at what to expect, revisit previous coverage of the Iroquois Steeplechase:
- What to Wear to the Iroquois Steeplechase: Race Day Outfits, Hats, and Southern Spring Fashion in Nashville
- Rite of Spring: An Exclusive Look into the 84th Annual Iroquois Steeplechase in Nashville, Tennessee
Together, these pieces offer a detailed look at race-day style and the overall event, from outfit ideas and hat styles to tailgating setups, social scenes, and how the day unfolds from arrival through the final race.
