The Kentucky Derby is America’s longest-running sporting event. This famous horse race was founded in 1872 by Meriwether Clark, the great-grandson of William Clark, who visited England’s Epsom Derby. He fell in love at the racing atmosphere with its vibrant clothes and bustling social scene. He wanted to bring this type of event back home to Kentucky. He organized the first Kentucky Derby in 1875.
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Since then, the race is held every year, even during major historical events, such as the Great Depression and the Second and Third World Wars, or the recent pandemic. The race was first a staple of southern culture. Its fame and appeal spread to the rest the United States and the world. Celebrities like Kanye West and Tom Brady are seen at Churchill Downs race track on the first Saturday in May.
There are many traditions associated with the derby. You might see some spectators with tears in their eyes. “My Old Kentucky Home” plays. Or, you may enjoy the traditional mint julep, which is the traditional drink of this race. One of the most recognizable traditions of the Kentucky Derby, however, is the amazing fashion.
A Fashion Event is as Important as a Race
The Kentucky Derby is now a fashion event, as well as an important horse race. People all over the world tune in to the races to see what is being worn, which could inspire fashion for the next year. While pastels and flowing dresses are great for spring, bold suits and bold outfits are also part of the show. But nothing beats the incredible hats.
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The Kentucky Derby is a great place for fashion inspiration, whether you’re going to the races or just love the look of the horses. Find out more about the rules and traditions of the Kentucky Derby, as well as the most popular Kentucky Derby trends for 2022.
The Kentucky Derby Style
The Kentucky Derby has been a part of fashion since its inception. Clark, the founder, was concerned that women wouldn’t like to go to the races in the late 1800s due to their association with gambling and drinking. His wife suggested to Clark that women use the races to dress up and have a picnic with their friends. The idea was a success. The Edwardian era was when bustles and corsets were the rage. During this period, hats were a sign of a woman’s social status. The better, the bigger. This has been a time-honored tradition among the races, and it is still observed today.
Kentucky Derby Dress Code
The Kentucky Derby does not have a formal dress code. If you are in high-end areas like the Derby Room, Turf Club and Millionaires Row, there is no formal dress code.. These areas require business casual, or casual attire. This includes jackets and collared tops for men and dresses and pantsuits or pantsuits or bottoms for women. You can wear whatever clothing you want in the other areas of Churchill Downs. However, the race track reserves all rights to deny entry to anyone based on their clothing choices.Jeans, crop tops, tennis shoes and torn clothing are generally considered unacceptable. Dressing up is part and parcel of the race experience.
Kentucky Derby Outfits
It’s not an easy task to find the perfect Kentucky Derby outfit. It’s important to follow the traditions of the race and make sure that your outfit looks great on you. Thankfully, Kentucky weather in May is generally mild, ranging from 70 to 78°F, so you shouldn’t need much of a jacket. Rain is not unusual. Remember that races can be run rain or shine. You’ll need to plan accordingly.).
Looking for inspiration on what to wear to the 2022 Kentucky Derby These are some ideas to help you get started.
Kentucky Derby Outfits For Women
You can choose a dress, or a pantsuit, when it comes to Kentucky Derby outfits. You can choose pastel colors or floral themes if you aren’t sure what to wear. These are both great choices for race day as well as more traditional options for the event. But don’t think that these are the only options. The Kentucky Derby fashion is often experimental, so don’t be afraid to try new things. Bold colors, monochrome, or unusual dress designs are all welcome at the Kentucky Derby.
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You should also ensure that you have a complete look. Look for accessories that coordinate with your outfit, such as jewelry, bags, shoes, and bags. Don’t forget to include the most important piece:–The hat. This will ensure that you have the complete view when you enter Churchill Downs.
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Kentucky Derby Dresses
Most women choose to create their Kentucky Derby look with a dress. These are three options to consider when designing your next derby look:
- Rockabilly is something you should embrace. Race day is a wonderful opportunity to wear a 1950s-style fit-and flare dress. Look out for bold, pastel colors and large floral prints. You’ll achieve a polished look by matching your shoes and hat with the flowers. Don’t forget your pin curls!
kentucky derby attire for women
In terms of Kentucky Derby fashion, there are three primary colors to consider when choosing the right hat and dress. The most common colors are pastels and floral patterns, although solid colors can also be appropriate. For example, light green and pink are great alternatives to the traditional blue. In addition, women can wear separates like a white shirt and a pink tie, or they can opt for a seersucker pocket square and pair it with a different color tie.
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A classic ladylike dress is no longer the only way to look chic at the Kentucky Derby. For a more modern look, consider wearing a floral co-ord set with a wide beam straw hat. Pair the colorful co-ord with wedges or espadrilles. Alternatively, a sleeveless blazer jumpsuit with a structured collar is another option.
Kentucky Derby Men’s Attire
Men aren’t left out of the fun when it comes to Kentucky Derby fashion. Quite the contrary! Men have been joining in the fashion parade for decades at the Kentucky Derby. You’ll see men showing off their own take on derby fashion with pastel suits in unexpected prints and their own fantastic accessories.
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If you are looking for men’s attire to wear to this year’s derby, consider:
- Pick a pop of color. A suit is always a good idea, but don’t feel like you have to go for a traditional navy or gray. Consider a modern men’s suit in pastel pink for something that’s still on point but exudes personality.
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- Tie in your personality. If you aren’t ready for a red suit, go with something more traditional, like an ashy blue slim fit suit. But then take it up a notch by picking out a tie fit for the day. Or ditch the tie and opt for a cool bow tie instead.
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Men’s Kentucky Derby outfits
- Pack a punch in patterns. A good suit can be so much more than a solid color. Look for men’s suits in fun patterns like paisley or floral prints. These can be stand-out pieces, so if you choose this bold option, keep your accessories simple. Choose solid-colored hats and shoes in neutral colors.
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Kentucky Derby Hats
Your hat is the most important fashion choice you’ll make when going to the Kentucky Derby. This is where you can go as big and bold as you want, and any hat is acceptable at the race. Show off your fedora, oversized sun hat, fascinators, or flat caps. Just make sure it’s comfortable to wear and securely fastened. It can be windy on race day!
Kentucky Derby Hats for Women
Want to keep it small and tasteful? Opt for a fascinator. These are gorgeous headpieces that are smaller than a hat and more ornate than a standard headband. They usually sit slightly to the side and front of the head and have tulle, feathers, ribbons, and other decorative elements. You’ll find them in a huge variety of colors and styles, too, so it won’t be difficult to find one to match your outfit.
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If you want to throw caution to the wind, go big and bold with a broad-brimmed sunhat. This can be an especially helpful choice if the weather is going to be particularly hot on race day. The brim will help keep the sun off your face and out of your eyes. It also leaves space for lots of fashionable drama.
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Look for wide-brimmed hats with layers of organza, big beautiful flowers, and feathers. It was once even fashionable to wear stuffed birds on your Kentucky Derby hat. If you are feeling especially bold, you can try to bring back that trend this year.
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Kentucky Derby Hats for Men
Men should get in on the fun of picking out a hat for the Kentucky Derby, too. In recent years, it’s become very fashionable for men’s hats to be as big and bold as their female counterparts. Check out ice skater Johnny Weir’s recent Kentucky Derby hat choices for a dose of inspiration.
If you are wearing a bright or bold suit, though, it may be best to stick to a traditional hat. Choose a straw fedora with a classic ribbon detail for something that’s not only derby appropriate, but great for the rest of summer, too.
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A straw boater is a great choice, too, inspired by the southern fashion of yesteryear. Hats with bold patterns are a fun option if you need to jazz up a traditional suit.
Trends for This Kentucky Derby 2022
While the race still took place in 2020, it had to move from its traditional spot on the first Saturday in May to a later date in September. Organizers originally planned to allow a limited number of spectators to watch the race. As Covid-19 cased spiked in the Louisville area, though, they made the decision to run the race without any spectators at all. Organizers welcomed spectators back in 2021, but at a reduced attendance of just over 50,000 people.
That means Kentucky Derby fans have been largely missing out on their favorite fashion event for two years. There are unlikely to be many restrictions this year, so it’s reasonable to expect the crowd to reach its maximum number of 150,000. Because of this, you can expect the fashion of the 2022 Kentucky Derby to be bolder and better than ever this year. The event fans have had years now to plan their outfits, invest in the hottest hats, and plan their outfits down to the last detail. Watch out for:
- Fashion that bends the rules of business casual. Many offices have done away with dress codes during the pandemic, and more people are embracing comfy over couture. Look for that to blend into the Kentucky Derby, with more casual fabrics and shoe choices popping up.
- Hats that are bigger and better than ever. People have had more time than ever to pick out the perfect hat for the Kentucky Derby. Look for hats that push the boundaries with size, colors, and personalized touches that set them apart.
- Bolder, brighter color palettes. Pastel will be a mainstay of the Kentucky Derby but look for bright and bolder fashion choices this year. This is in line with the color palettes seen on the runways for 2022. People are anxious to say goodbye to winter and burst into warmer weather, and this year’s color choices will reflect that enthusiasm.
Are you attending the Kentucky Derby this year? Or headed to a Kentucky Derby party? We hope this guide has been helpful for you to decide what you’ll be wearing to the hottest sartorial event of the spring.
