What is it about Racing? Brit/Oz Help Needed

[Sardou]

Look at the descriptions of the Sandown and the Wetherby by Lock
(and perhaps the Haydock as well)
http://www.jameslock.co.uk/prod1.taf?catuid=100005&_UserReference=43B2CC6883AE9C024513BDB9
And the descriptions of the Fedora and the Flemington by Akubra
http://www.akubra.com.au/products_fashion.html

What's the deal with hats and racing? Obviously, one is free to wear a hat to the track and many people do, but this suggests a closer connection, perhaps of style or tradition or something else. Note that these are neither (1) top hats at Ascot or (2) smallish tweed or poplin trilbies in loud check patterns.

Any thoughts out there?

Sardou

 

[Solid Citizen]

Brit Track Hats

Brtish hat wearing at tracks is standard, however most of those hats don't transfer to English city wear. Strictly an English Town & Country thing.

USA unless its the Derby, Preakness or Belmont hats don't abound very much
over here & those are mostly women's hats

At the local USA steeplechase scene you probably see more ballcaps than even tweed hunt caps on the upper crust patrons.

SC