One of the most prestigious equestrian competitions, the Kentucky Derby, is all set for its 149th run, starting on 6th May 2023. The competition is a Grade I Stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds in one-and-a-quarter-mile distance events at Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky. Nevertheless, the elite competition is not only recognized for its top-notch performances but also for its two-week-long Kentucky Derby festivities that are regarded globally for the famous hat culture it represents. 

Each year, the Kentucky Derby races flaunt a multitude of signature hats donned by male and female attendees. Nonetheless, wearing headpieces to the Derby races has been a tradition for many years now. But why hats? What is the significance of the culture? And where to look for the latest vogue this season? Let’s find out the answers to these intrigues.

About Kentucky Derby Hats

Through the years, wearing hats to the Kentucky Derby became an integral part of the festivities, and hence donning a stylish headpiece is now considered a reason to celebrate the history of Derby races. Now, there is not one, not two, but a multitude of hat styles that have become renowned over the years. The variety of headpieces adorned by women attendees include fascinators, wide-brimmed hats, top hats, parasols, ascots, and fedoras. 

Best Kentucky Derby Hats to Buy 2023

The more recent trend in Kentucky Derby headwear is the fascinator and the wide-brimmed hats. Interestingly, fascinators and wide-brimmed headwear got more popular among female spectators over the past few years. The fascinators give the flexibility of adding feathers and netting, suited to the outfit and footwear. On the other hand, wide-brimmed hats provide a staunch fashion statement with their circular and askew brim designs. Besides this, brimmed hats also protect the individual from UV rays while enjoying the race from the stands.

Kentucky Derby Hats available on Amazon

A series of different patterns and colors of wide-brimmed hats and fascinators are available on Amazon. The brimmed hat with a hoard full of reviews and which tops the bestselling list is ‘Bellady Big Brim Hat Organza Hats Summer Beach Cap’. The second on the list is ‘Derby Hats for Women with Headband Hairpin, cloche Kentucky Fascinator Hats’. Following this, Cizoe’s beige and red colored fascinator hats are currently trending on Amazon. 

Best Kentucky Derby Hats for Women in 2023

Though Kentucky Derby provides a platform to showcase the spring collection, there are no stringent rules to dress for the event. Ladies usually wear pastel-colored suits, or bold-colored attire that coordinate with their fascinators or brimmed hats.

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Some female attendees first decide on footwear and then match the hat with it, while others choose a dress first and then decide which hat to coordinate with the apparel. However, in many cases, women first pick the hat they want to wear and then go for the matching dress and shoes. There indeed are a lot of ways to wear the Derby outfit.

Best Kentucky Derby Hat ideas 2023

In 2023, Churchill Downs stands are all set to flaunt new spring attire and Kentucky Derby hats. Now, male and female attendees have girded up their loins to showcase their vogue at Kentucky Derby Thoroughbred races. While men don’t have nearly as many style options as women, a lightweight straw bowler or fedora is always popular and in style. For ladies, the options are endless. From elegant askew brimmed hats to outlandish fascinators, there are treasure trove of options for female audience.

The Significance of Dress and Hat in Kentucky Derby Tradition

Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., who established the roots of Derby and founded Churchill Downs, traveled to Europe with his wife in the years right before the inauguration of the Kentucky Derby in 1875. While they were in France, the couple noticed the elegance and the flair with which the onlookers at the horse riding events were dressed. It piqued their interest. Therefore, upon their return to the States, the couple inculcated the culture of dressing in high-standard European fashion while attending the event. Since then, the Kentucky Derby became as much about fashion as it was about equestrian races. Thus, hats now have become statement pieces, and it gives attendees a reason to stand out from the crowd.

Introducing the Featured Milliners of Kentucky Derby Hats

Milliners are professional hatmakers who help attendees search for their perfect statement headpiece. From European high-class fascinators to elegant and subtle wide-brimmed hats, milliners have an attic full of signature hats. Let’s meet the official Kentucky Derby Museum Milliners.

1. Christine A. Moore – Moore is the New York City-based hat maker who tops the official featured milliner’s list of Kentucky Derby museum for the sixth year in a row. She helps women choose their perfect ensemble for the event through her online shop and offline stores. Her latest collection is available on Kentucky Derby’s official website.
2. Ilana Kogan – Kogan is a full-time radiologist who also loves to create headpieces for Kentucky Derby. The New York native is regarded widely for her handmade silhouettes and detailed embroideries. The Kentucky Derby features her new headpiece collection on their website.
3. Jenny Pfanenstiel – Pfanenstiel is the owner of Forme Millinery and is one of the featured milliners for this year’s Kentucky Derby. Her designs are famous for their vintage looks and other high-quality embellishments. Her 2023 collection is now featured on Derby Museum’s web forum.
4. Mary Julia Kaiser – An official milliner of the Kentucky Derby Museum and owner of Derbyologie, Kaiser creates a variety of styles in fascinators. She uses modern color abstracts, imprinted fabrics, and colorful feathers to design headbands and fascinators. 
5. Melissa Huff – Huff is a native of Louisville who mainly designs fascinators and fedoras with matching ensembles for women. Her latest collection of feather and netting fascinators is now available on Derby Museum’s website.

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