Kentucky Derby Hats: Fascinators, Wide Brims for Ladies (2024)

FAQs

How do I choose a wide brim hat? ›

Look for a hat with a wide brim to provide maximum coverage for your face, neck, and shoulders. Aim for a brim width of at least 3 inches. Choose a hat made with UPF-rated fabric to block harmful UV rays. The higher the UPF rating, the better the protection.

Avoid wearing all black, or dark fall/winter or neutral colors on this bright fashion showcase. Look to spring flowers and shades to help find your favorite shades. Don't forget about bold patterns and fabrics when making your final decision.

Most everyone at the track will have some form of pink incorporated into their outfit. Whether it's head-to-toe pink, a pink bracelet, clutch, or simply a pink hat, you'll definitely want to particpate in this tradition if you don't like feeling left out!

If the wedding you're attending is a very formal occasion, a hat or fascinator is recommended and it should ideally match the colour of your dress or two-piece - whether it's the same shade or a complementary hue.

Traditionally, fascinators were worn on the right-hand side of the head. This tradition stems from the fact that women used to wear their hair in elaborate updos, and placing the fascinator on the right side ensured that it would be visible from the front.

While women can wear pants to the Kentucky Derby, it's important to choose a style that reflects the formal and fashionable atmosphere of the event. Avoid casual or denim pants, as they may be too casual for this occasion.

Lets talk how to dress for Derby Day. Derby Day is all about elegance and sophistication, so you want to wear a dress that exudes and showcases that. Any form of colour is a big no, so you wan't to avoid wearing a dress or accessorising with anything that is not strictly black or white.

You'll be swimming in a sea of bright colors during Kentucky Derby Week at Churchill Downs, but there's one color you might steer clear of when selecting your outfit. The only color typically frowned upon is green, but only for horse owners or trainers.

Racegoers are encouraged to wear pink in honor of the race's official flower, the stargazer lily, and in support of breast and ovarian cancer.

That modern-day practical consideration could keep fascinators a popular choice for the Derby's hat-donning ladies, just as wide-brimmed hats once were for Derby-goers hoping not to burn their fair skin in the blazing sun of the grandstands. These one-of-kind pieces can be expensive, too.

Can you wear jeans to the Kentucky Derby? ›

Men are typically expected to wear suits and ties, while women often opt for elegant dresses and elaborate hats. While there is no strict rule against jeans, they are generally not considered appropriate for the Kentucky Derby.

Hats are a major part of a woman's derby outfit and are even thought to be good luck on derby day. A variation of hats, fascinators, are the fun little hair accessories that ladies wear on formal occasions.

Designed by hat makers or milliners as they are known in the trade, a fascinator is a style of millinery used to create what is essentially a decorative headpiece made with a moulded and shaped fabric base which is then decorated with beads and feathers and attached to a headband, hair clip or comb so it can be worn on ...

Fascinators are usually worn on the right side of the head. This is a historical tradition originating from when women always stood on the right side of a man as his sword was always carried on the left. Therefore, women's hats tilted to the to the right so that it wouldn't shield her face from him.

The derby hat is characterized by its hard-felt material, curved brim, and low crown. It's often worn with formal or business attire and has become popular among men as an alternative to baseball caps in recent years. The bowler hat, on the other hand, has a hard, round crown and a shorter, wraparound brim.