The Kentucky Derby is more than just a horse race. It is an event where women and men from the South showcase their best spring fashions.
The Derby is an occasion for eye-catching hats, elaborate jewelry, and elegant clothes. Ladies typically wear spring dresses, pastel-colored suits, or bold separates coordinating with their Derby headwear and accessories.
The Kentucky Derby is a chance for every woman to express her inner Southern Belle, so embrace your personal style and make a bold statement at the track!
What to wear to the Kentucky Derby
- Hats are all about personality, especially for the Kentucky Derby! Consider brim size, crown size, and head measurement while choosing the hat to make your personality shine through.
- Which comes first, the hat or the dress? It doesn’t matter which you choose first. Pick whichever piece speaks to you, and then make it work with the rest of your outfit.
- Whether or not to match can be a tough decision. Matching is a great way to be noticed and sometimes look elegant but blending in is always elegant. So again, it goes back to how you want people to see you.
- When choosing your dress for the Kentucky Derby, you should keep it simple so that your hat is the star of the show. However, you can also be inspired by the color and excitement of spring and choose a bright or floral dress.
- Don’t forget shoes with a low heel or sandals to ensure a stylish Derby Day look. The track’s a bit slippery, so you might want to bring along an extra pair of flats.
- Kentucky Derby hats are the centerpieces of Derby Day fashions, so jewelry should be simple and understated.
- Wearing a hat to the Kentucky Derby is believed to bring good luck. Generally, women wear wide-brimmed, traditional “Southern Belle” inspired hats. The hats can be decorated with flowers or feathers, bows or ribbons of any color to express creativity and individuality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do women traditionally wear to the Kentucky Derby?
Ladies typically wear spring dresses, pastel-colored suits, or bold separates coordinated with their Derby headwear and accessories. The Derby is an occasion for eye-catching hats, elaborate jewelry, and elegant clothes, and above all a chance to express your personal style.
Should I choose my Derby hat or my dress first?
It truly does not matter which comes first. Pick whichever piece speaks to you, then make the rest of the outfit work around it.
How fancy should my Derby hat be?
Hats are all about personality at the Kentucky Derby, and wearing one is even believed to bring good luck. Women generally wear wide-brimmed, Southern Belle inspired hats decorated with flowers, feathers, bows, or ribbons in any color, so consider brim size, crown size, and your head measurement to let your personality shine through.
Should my dress be simple or bold for Derby Day?
Keeping the dress simple lets your hat be the star of the show, though you can also draw on the color and excitement of spring with a bright or floral dress. Since the hat is the centerpiece, jewelry should stay simple and understated.
What shoes should I wear to the Kentucky Derby?
Choose shoes with a low heel or sandals for a stylish Derby Day look. The track can be a bit slippery, so it is wise to bring along an extra pair of flats.