What to Wear to the Kentucky Derby

Written by Julie Weinstein

felicitous Friday ! As Carrie mentioned yesterday, the Kentucky Derby is something identical near and dear to her heart. And if you ’ ve never been ( or even if you have ), finding the justly outfits can be quite a feat. You want to make sure to look the separate, all while being respectful to the event, comfortable, and, of course, fashionable .
While Carrie will share more of her thoughts and experiences on the capable following week, we have a particular treat for today ’ sulfur feature… We decided to turn to an expert in the field of ‘ bowler hat dress, ’ person who has an entire web site dedicated to this very thing. Briana Mott runs the web site fashion at the Races, and has even curated her own choice of hats ( absolutely gorgeous hats ). Briana was kind enough to answer some questions on dressing for the Derby, which should be extremely helpful to anyone who is planning on attending ! indeed, rather of our distinctive Friday ‘ Inspired by ’ military post, we ’ re bring you a ‘ what to wear ’ post all about how to dress for the Kentucky Derby. Keep on reading…

Interview with Bri Mott of Fashion at the Races

What are the key components to a Derby ensemble?

The most important component of a Derby ensemble is the hat ! Racing fashion international relations and security network ’ deoxythymidine monophosphate racing fashion without millinery. The Kentucky Derby traditions have always included beautiful hats and you truly don ’ t have a Derby kit without one. In my opinion, your kit surrounds your headstall, with a preen to match and then your accessories built off of those two main components. Regardless of which musical composition you purchase first, your hat is what everyone will look at first .

If it’s someone’s first time attending the Derby, what advice would you give them on putting an appropriate outfit together?

Have fun with it ! You will be taking a short ton of photos and it truly is a day to remember. You will always remember your Derby kit, whether it is your beginning or hundredth slipstream. Take a look on our web site for divine guidance, but remember the racetrack is not a night baseball club and a bigger hat does not mean a better hat !

Be certain to not risk comfort if it is your foremost time at Churchill Downs. You won ’ metric ton know the terrain and you don ’ triiodothyronine want to learn it the hard way. wear heels but make sure you are prepare to be in them all sidereal day and to put some miles on !

What are your favorite places to shop for Derby appropriate attire?

I personally love looking at external brands like Keepsake and Rebecca Taylor. True racing fashion can be hard to find in ‘ the plaza ’ because you are piecing in concert an outfit from heading to toe. You aren ’ thyroxine looking for a curtly summer dress and you aren ’ t looking for a cocktail party patch either. You are in between the two .

Should dresses be of a certain length? Any “rules” for the silhouette or neckline of the dress? 

I am a huge fan of the midi-lengths. Your dress does not have to be a certain length, but a dependable rule to go by is keep it either barely above the stifle or mid-calf. Maxi dresses either come off as besides formal or besides free-and-easy and anything shorter than two inches above the knee looks like you never changed after the night before .

When it comes to the fabulous hats, is bigger better?

No absolutely not. I actually believe in the opposite. I ’ ve seen thus many womanhood take their big hats off by the end of the day. They are tired of the weight, not being able to see ; they have hat haircloth and just overall tired of the man. Find one that will be comfortable to wear all day and still fashionable ! I am a huge winnow of ‘ fascinators ’ because they can be so chic. sometimes the bigger hats end up looking cheap only because of all the dressings put on them. Bigger is not good ! Just find one that you love and that you ’ ll love to wear all day .

What’s your personal style when it comes to Derby dressing?

My personal style changes, but I normally like to keep it pretty simple. I try and find a stand out chic dress and work off that. I have a draw of my millinery made to match my dress which helps create the perfect kit. The shoes and purse are just added benefits to the fashion. I always try to add something newly that I normally wouldn ’ metric ton break and that just makes it that much more playfulness putting the ensemble together. last year, I had pearls in my hat, and then sewed pearls onto my dress for an add detail. It actually brought the integral ensemble to the next flush .

Since it’s a long and busy couple of days, I imagine comfort is important – what are your tips for a comfortable, yet stylish, outfit?

equitable be smart. I do not risk my feet with ‘ brassy ’ shoes. When I say bum, it is not so a lot price, it ’ s the make. The $ 20 heels aren ’ thymine going to cut it for my 8 hours on track, I pick my shoe carefully and besides break them in advance. I besides come packing with bandaids and inserts precisely in font. Like I said anterior with the hats, I don ’ thymine pick anything that I know won ’ deoxythymidine monophosphate be comfortable for the integral day. Don ’ thyroxine wear anything that doesn ’ metric ton fit you. We gals sometimes want to wear a smaller size precisely because that act seems to matter more than the fit. Don ’ t do it ! No one knows your size and it is more noticeable when person wears something that doesn ’ t fit then when they size up ! Plus there is a draw of eating and drinking on the day ; be comfortable. Sucking it in all day is both exhausting and unnecessary. Be you, be comfortable .

Are certain colors off limits or the more color the better?

I do not like black for the Kentucky Derby. The Derby is a ‘ southerly belle ’ character race. Florals, pastels, happy colors. Leave the black and white or black colors for Belmont or the fall races. Think spring, ladies !

Any other tips or pointers you’d like to share?

The cavalry races, and of course the Derby, are all about manner, fun, and horses ! Have fun with your equip. Plan early on, and blue-ribbon carefully. There are lots of photos and memories to be had in that corps de ballet. If you don ’ t have to, don ’ t skimp on your hat. You don ’ t need to spend a lot for an perplex piece, but the bum pieces from your department stores aren ’ thyroxine anything particular and you and 100 early girls could be wearing the same one. Find one that defines your personality and your style…and rock it ! See you at the races ! xoxo

Dresses and Hats We Love

As we mentioned, we highly suggest browsing Bri ’ s web site for a well curated categorization of hats. In addition, below you ’ ll find a issue of dresses and hats that would be absolutely perfect for the Kentucky Derby, indeed keep on scroll .

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Inspiration from Last Year’s Derby

In Closing

finally, in close, a huge thank you to Briana for her fantastic insight on dressing for the races ! Are you heading to the bowler hat this class ? If thus, what are you planning on wearing ? Do let us know in the comments below ; we ’ five hundred absolutely love to hear ! Have a big day, and be sure to check back this afternoon for the Weekend Edition .
Photos courtesy of Joe Lyman

source : https://kembeo.com
Category : Fashion