The Kentucky Derby is such a fun and frolicky annual horse race, filled with tradition and beauty. From the gorgeous horses to the traditional mint juleps, there is anticipation and excitement in the air. What I love most about the Kentucky Derby is selecting “my” horse to cheer on and, always, seeing the beautiful hats on display everywhere!
“The long-established fashion was started with Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr.’s vision for the Derby as an event that the high-class would attend, similar to European-style racing events, which mandated full morning dress for men and women. For the first running of the Kentucky Derby, he used high-class women to recruit his target clientele to attend the race. The event quickly became just as much about the fashion as the racing. Going to a horse racing event became an opportunity to show off the latest in spring fashion and women were known to coordinate their hats, dresses, bags, shoes, and even parasols.” *
I’m posting a few hats for you to enjoy from the official Kentucky Derby website as well as my personal choice if I were going this year!
- Playful and fun!
2. “Look at me!” (I like the shoulder sun protection this hat offers!)
3. This one has the floral embellishment underneath the brim – beautiful!
4. Such fun for men, too!
5. My choice from Berkeley Hats (where you will find many, many more lovely hats to order!)
Cheers to a great race and very fun day!
- Quote cited from the Kentucky Derby official website.