The 149th running of the Kentucky Derby is set for May 6th, and this means that most people, except the lucky few heading to Churchill Downs, will be taking in the race in the next best way: a Derby Day party.
If you’re looking to host a Kentucky Derby party, or you simply plan on attending someone else’s soiree, there is a laundry list of suggestions on how to dress for the occasion. Picking out the perfect outfit and hat or fascinator could be just the thing that brings good luck to you and the horses you’re betting on.
So, what is the process of picking out an outfit in the Kentucky Derby style? Should one pick their hat or dress first? How much color is too much? And how formal should the occasion be to dress?
With so many details to iron out before the Kentucky Derby arrives, PlayTexas is here to help out Derby Day party hosts or just people in attendance plan their Derby event look.
Fashion advise for all Kentucky Derby group
The sartorial aspect of the Kentucky Derby is one of the cornerstones of the event, whether attending the Kentucky Derby in person or going to a Derby Day party.
The basic approach to a Kentucky Derby event can be categorized into three separate styles depending on how formal the party should be.
The Derby brunch event
The first methodology is a brunch-style event with attendees fully dressed in Kentucky Derby formal wear. That means pantsuits, cocktail dresses, business conventional attire, and lots of vibrantly-colored accessories like jewelry, flowers, handkerchiefs, ties, and the most important piece of the outfit – the Derby hat or fascinator.
The brunch-style party, which may be both indoor or outdoor, should most closely mimic the look at Churchill Downs during the actual Kentucky Derby. Expect masculine attire to feature warm but light-colored suits, plaid or paisley patterns across the ensemble, pinstriped suit jackets, bold stripes, and generally a fedora or bowler hat, which can be worn with comfortable and stylish loafers.
Feminine styles usually revolve around brightly-colored cocktail or sun dresses; clean A-lines, sharp pleats, and a Derby hat or fascinator that accents a color in the dress.
The Derby lawn party
The other option for a Kentucky Derby party would be a semi-formal lawn party in a setting with lots of open green space, with places to sit in the shade or wander the grounds. A lawn party typically entails business casual outfits with less flair but an emphasis on a natty Kentucky Derby hat or a statement fascinator. A lawn party places less focus on stand-out top-to-bottom fashion and more on polished taste and subtle style.
Classic tastes, warm and conservative colors with a controlled pop in a sock, shoe, or neckwear, along with classy and elegantly-understated jewelry, spot the sartorial approach of a Derby Lawn Party.
Typically the backyard Derby party
The past style of a Kentucky Derby party is a departure from Derby fashion. An outdoor event where comfort and relaxation while watching the Run For the Roses is the goal. Casual attire is not only accepted but encouraged at this type of event.
Although an outdoor Derby Day event may lead some to choose shorts, sneakers, and summer barbecue clothes for lounging on a blanket and watching the race, one should not drop all formality. A collared shirt is in order, and a clean light-colored shoe or leather sandal and limited accessories. Colorful patterns and prints are once again the norm, and stylish eyewear can elevate an outfit.
That being said, despite the casual clothing, no Kentucky Derby party is complete without a Derby hat or fascinator. A common theme in all Derby Day parties, hats and fascinators are always an excellent choice.
Deciding on a Derby do not lik or fascinator
Derby hats are superior Derby morning attire. The Derby hat or fascinator has become as synonymous with the Kentucky Derby as the great julep.
Regardless of which fashion Kentucky Derby party you host or attend, Derby headwear has to be a staple for virtually every partygoer. A fascinator – which are commonly small ladies’ hats that just cover part of the head and are worn at a jaunty angle — seems to have two associations for most people: high-society British weddings and the Kentucky Derby.
When choosing a fascinator, some may wonder which should be chosen first: fascinator or outfit. Sartorial wisdom says to let the outfit dictate the hat. If your Derby outfit is brightly colored and patterned, pick a preferred color in the dress and find headwear that complements your chosen color. Be careful not to overstate your look here. A bold outfit paired with an equally-bold fascinator can be a distraction.
If your Derby attire is black and white and more simple, feel free to pick more colorful headwear and use the color wheel to compliment your style.
For a more masculine look, matching a fedora or bowler hat with a tweed or patterned suit outfit is a great combination. Complementing one’s belt with one’s hatband lets the outfit tell a subtle story. Making sure the shoe matches the belt is also a must.
Not any detail large small
Derby hats and fascinators are the first impression for anyone looking to stand out brightly at the Kentucky Derby party, but as this guide suggests, Derby Morning parties offer many chances for self-expression. Don’t take any aspect for granted.
If uncertain, just ask: what story will this Derby outfit tell?
T. T. McBride is a writer and reporter based in Denver, Colorado, who covers the Denver Nuggets as a beat writer and the current gaming landscape in Texas. His byline can be found on many websites, including ESPN, FiveThirtyEight, Bleacher Report, and others.
