Kentucky Derby hats and dresses: What to know about Kentucky Derby fashion
There's an age-old saying that goes "be a workhorse, not a show horse." At the Kentucky Derby, where thoroughbred horses come second to fashionable hats and dresses, you can be both.
Hundreds of thousands of spectators will flock to Churchill Downs in Louisville on Saturday for the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby, the oldest continuously running sports event in the United States. With history, comes tradition and "The Run for the Roses" is full of them, ranging from the mint julep (a signature drink consisting of a delicious mix of bourbon, mint, and sugar syrup) to the "Riders Up" command (to be given by Olympic gymnast Simone Biles). But the biggest tradition to date is the headwear that has become a spectacle in its own right.
Although fashion at the Kentucky Derby has evolved over the years, hats and fascinators have remained a mainstay at the racetrack. Here's a look back at the history of Kentucky Derby fashion and a look forward to the style guide ahead of the race on Saturday:
Kentucky Derby: The history of hats
The iconic tradition of dressing to the nines dates back to the Kentucky Derby's inception. The Kentucky Derby was founded in 1875 by Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., who fashioned the horse race in his hometown of Louisville after The Derby Stakes (also known as the Epsom Derby) in Surrey, England, following his travels overseas. The Derby Stakes has a strict dress code that requires women and men to wear hats or fascinators.
"The seats in the grandstand were filled with gaily dressed women and men. The mass of green, pink, red, yellow, blue, all the colors of the rainbow, blending into one harmonious whole was as beautiful a sight as His Eminence in the lead," a 1901 Courier Journal reporter wrote of the Churchill Downs crowd in 1901, according to the Kentucky Derby Museum.
The infusion of celebrities and socialites only added to the spectacle of the Kentucky Derby. Millionaire’s Row, an exclusive clubhouse situated above the finish line at Churchill Downs, was introduced in 1965 and fostered a competitive spirit among spectators to see who could wear the most avant-garde attire. Hats got bigger. Patterns got bolder and colors got brighter each year.
Even the late Queen Elizabeth II partook in the fun when she attended the Kentucky Derby in 2007. She donned a lime green suit and a matching hat that featured a bright pink bow.
2025 Kentucky Derby Style Guide
The theme of this year's Kentucky Derby is "Derby of Your Dreams," a combination of fantasy and fancy. And although Easter has passed, pastels are still in. Zanna Roberts Rassi, the Kentucky Derby's Guest Style Editor, dubbed a pastel palette ("powdery pink, pistachio green or buttery yellow") as the trend for the year. She also predicted the return of the peplum: "Rest assured the peplum in 2025 is all grown up. With a more structured and architectural style (not floppy!!) the peplum feels much more elevated."
KENTUCKY DERBY FASHION GUIDE: The ultimate guide to Kentucky Derby outfits for 2025
Brooches and hats for men
Jaw-dropping fashion is not reserved just for the ladies. Men can also get in on the fun. Fellas are encouraged to get dapper for the Kentucky Derby with a hat of their own. Rassi suggests a variety of hats for men, ranging from a porkpie to fedoras, boaters, Newsboy caps and flat caps. However, a hat is not the only accessory men should reach for. Rassi said broaches are the accessory of the season for men: "Consider trading the traditional bowtie for a brooch."
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