What I Wore to Del Mar Opening Day Surf Meets Turf Style and After Party!!
- Tricia Scheer
- 11 minutes ago
- 7 min read
Opening Day at Del Mar has its own dress code, even before anyone says a word. The ocean is close enough to feel in the air, the grandstand brings the tradition, and the whole day lands somewhere between garden party, race day, and Southern California summer.
That is exactly why dressing for it is fun.
For this year’s Surf Meets Turf mood, I wanted an outfit that felt polished enough for Opening Day, but still breezy and relaxed enough for Del Mar. No stiff fabrics. No shoes I would regret by the second race. No hat that needed constant babysitting. Just a clean, coastal race-day look with a little drama where it counted.
The Del Mar Opening Day mood
Del Mar is not a place where you need to choose between beachy and dressed up. The best looks usually sit right in the middle.
Opening Day brings out the hats, bright colors, linen, florals, statement sunglasses, polished sandals, and all the little details that make an outfit feel intentional. At the same time, the setting keeps everything from feeling too formal. The breeze, the sunshine, and the surfside setting soften the whole day.
That balance shaped everything I wore.
I kept thinking about three words while getting ready:
Coastal
Classic
Comfortable
Coastal, because Del Mar is never far from the water.
Classic, because a race-day outfit should have some structure and a sense of occasion.
Comfortable, because Opening Day is not a quick in-and-out moment. There is walking, standing, sitting, mingling, watching the races, and probably trying to keep your hat from catching the wind at least once.
My outfit needed to hold up for all of it.
I started with the hat
For Opening Day, the hat is not an afterthought. It sets the tone.
I chose a wide-brim hat because it gives an outfit instant race-day energy without trying too hard. While a fascinator can be beautiful, for Del Mar, I love the ease of a brim. It feels appropriate for the track and practical for a sunny afternoon.
Outfit Details
I wore a light pale yellow polka dot bubble dress paired with a gorgeous wide hat in light yellow and black. To complete the look, I opted for:
Nude fishnets
Black platform pumps
Black wrist gloves
The shape was designed to be structured yet not harsh. I desired something that would frame the face, add height, and introduce a touch of drama to photos. The pale yellow combined with black color complemented the rest of the outfit perfectly, giving the entire look a feminine polka dot energy that exudes class and preppy charm.
A few things made the hat work:
The brim was wide, but not so wide that it blocked conversation.
The crown sat comfortably, so I was not adjusting it all day.
The color tied into my dress, shoes, and bag.
The shape felt dressed up, but still easy.
That last point matters. At Del Mar, the hat should look like part of your outfit, not like a costume.
The dress brought the surfside softness
Once I had the hat, the dress came next.
I wanted something light, feminine, and easy to move in. A mini bubble dress felt right for the day because it reads elegant without feeling too formal. The length works well at the track, especially when you are walking stairs, sitting in grandstand seats, or catching a breeze from the coast.
I'm obsessed with polka dots since I first saw Julia Roberts at the polo match in a polka dot dress. It's my signature look for Opening Day.
The fabric was just as important as the shape. I steered clear of anything overly heavy or too tight. Since Opening Day can be warm, I wanted to avoid a dress that only looked good for an hour but became uncomfortable for the rest of the afternoon.
The style I chose had these elements:
A defined waist
A soft skirt with movement
A neckline that worked with the hat
A print or texture that felt summery, not loud
Enough structure to feel dressed for the event
This is where the Surf Meets Turf theme really came through. The dress had that light, seaside feeling, but the full look still felt appropriate for the racetrack.
If I had gone too beachy, it would have felt underdressed. If I had gone too formal, it would have missed the Del Mar charm. The dress was the bridge.
Shoes had to pass the real-life test
Race-day shoes can make or break the outfit.
I love a delicate heel in theory, but Del Mar Opening Day is not the place where I want to wobble across walkways or sink into outdoor areas. I chose platform pumps because it gave me height with a touch of drama.
A platform patent black pump with a mini bubble cotton was my signature look for the day.. I could walk comfortably, stand for photos, and move through the venue without thinking about my feet every few minutes.
The basic black color helped lengthen the line of the outfit and kept the focus on the hat and dress. I also liked that the shoes did not compete with anything. On a day when hats, prints, and accessories can all get big fast, simple shoes are often the smartest choice.
For Del Mar, I would choose these over a tall stiletto every time.
Pretty is good. Walkable is better. Pretty and walkable is the win.
The bag stayed small and useful
I brought a small LV signature clutch because it fit the coastal part of the outfit without looking too casual.
A huge bag would have taken away from the look. A tiny impractical bag would have annoyed me. This one landed in the middle. It held the essentials, but still looked intentional in photos.
For Opening Day, I only want to carry what I actually need:
Phone
Lip color
Card holder
Sunglasses
Compact mirror
A small sunscreen stick if the bag allows
My Canon G7X
That is it.
The woven texture worked especially well with the hat and neutral shoes. It gave the outfit warmth and kept the dress from feeling too precious.
Jewelry and beauty stayed soft
With a hat, dress, and matching neck scarf , I kept jewelry simple. I wore a black stone with gold arm bracelet.
For makeup, I stayed fresh and sun-friendly. Think glowing skin, a little bronzer, defined lashes, and a lip color that could be touched up easily. Nothing too matte. Nothing too heavy.
Hair also had to work with the hat. I kept it smooth and simple so the hat could sit properly. Loose waves are always pretty, so thats the look i went for.
The beauty goal was simple: look pulled together, but not overly done.
Why the whole look worked
The outfit worked because every piece had a job.
The hat brought the race-day moment. The dress brought movement and softness. The shoes kept me comfortable. The bag added texture. The jewelry finished everything quietly.
Nothing fought for attention.
That is my favorite way to dress for an event like this. One or two pieces can make a statement, then everything else should support them. For this look, the hat was the star and the dress with the neck scarf was the anchor.
The other reason it worked was the color palette. Keeping the accessories in the same warm pale yellow family made the outfit feel cohesive and cheery on such a sunny and fun filled day. It also made it easier to lean into the Del Mar setting, where sun, sand, ocean air, and natural textures all feel right at home.
This is the heart of What I Wore to Del Mar Opening Day Surf Meets Turf Style. It was not about wearing the loudest outfit at the track. It was about wearing something that made sense for the place, the weather, and the occasion.
What I noticed other people wearing
One of the best parts of Opening Day is seeing how everyone interprets the theme. Del Mar style has range.
There were bold hats, crisp white dresses, bright florals, linen suits, colorful matching sets, and plenty of statement sunglasses. Some people leaned classic race day. Some leaned beach club. Some went full fashion moment.
The looks that stood out most had one thing in common: they felt complete.
A great hat with a simple dress. A colorful suit with clean accessories. A monochrome look with interesting texture. A soft floral dress with a sculptural fascinator. The strongest outfits did not look overworked. They looked considered.
That is a helpful reminder for any event outfit. You do not need ten standout pieces. You need a clear point of view.
What I would wear again
I would absolutely repeat the formula.
A mini bubble dress, wide-brim hat, small bag, and platform pumps is an Opening Day combination I trust. It checks the boxes without feeling predictable.
I would also wear the hat again with a different outfit. A neutral race-day hat is more useful than people think. It can work with florals, solids, linen, eyelet, and even a sleek jumpsuit. I can even see wearing the hat with a solid black dress too!
The clutch is another yes. The texture made it feel summer-specific, which is exactly what I wanted for Del Mar.
My simple Del Mar Opening Day style rules
If I were getting dressed for Opening Day again, these are the rules I would follow.
Choose one main statement.
Let the hat, dress, color, or silhouette lead. Do not make every piece compete.
Plan for sun and breeze.
Del Mar is coastal, so lightweight layers, secure hats, and easy hair matter.
Wear shoes you can walk in.
A block heel, platform pump, wedge, or polished flat can look just as chic as a thin heel.
Keep the bag small.
Bring what you need, then leave the rest behind.
Dress for the setting.
The magic of Del Mar is the mix of surf and turf. Let your outfit nod to both.
The final look
My Del Mar Opening Day outfit came down to balance. It had enough polish for the track, enough ease for the coast, and enough comfort for a full afternoon out.
That is the sweet spot for this event.
The Surf Meets Turf idea is more than a theme. It is the whole style language of Del Mar. A little classic, a little coastal, a little playful, and never too stiff.
If you are dressing for Opening Day, start with the piece that makes you feel excited, then build around it with comfort and setting in mind. For me, that piece was the hat. Everything else followed from there.
Links
Click below for links to my Opening Day oufit in my shop:
Click below for links to my After Party outfit in my shop:
After Party at Lauberge Hotel
The after-party at Lauberge Hotel was amazing! I wore a different outfit and enjoyed delicious food, live stage performances, and a beautiful poolside atmosphere.
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