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Pick Your Perfect Hat for Your Derby Day Look

Lizzy Park
On April 17, 2014

Pick Your Perfect Hat for Your Derby Day Look: In the fashion world, traditionally, being too matchy matchy is a no no. Unless you are a small child, you don’t want your shoes to match your bag to match your jewelry and so on. However, at the Kentucky Derby, those rules go out the window. When you are choosing your hat for the Kentucky Derby it is perfectly acceptable to choose a hat or fascinator that matches or picks up the pattern or color of your outfit.

This wide brimmed black hat compliments this lucky lady’s black lace dress perfectly at the Kentucky Derby.

While any topper is acceptable for the first Saturday of May, the traditional Derby hat has wide brim that can protect you from the sun. It is the one race where the bigger the hat the better and there is no shame in a hat that has a brim that so wide that you might be bumping into your neighbor.

One big tip for picking out your Derby hat is to make sure that you get a topper in a lighter fabric. Straw and woven styles are perfect, but you will want to stay away from heavier wool styles which fit better in the fall and winter. Also, make sure to keep your hat look fun and bright. The Kentucky Derby is your time to choose a bright standout color or print.

Kentucky Derby hats are particularly feminine compared to other race day looks, so go all out and pick something with a girly accent like a ruffle or a bright color or flowers or bows. In fact, your hat for the Kentucky Derby is supposed to be the most standout piece of your look so you might want to pick out your headgear first and then model your outfit after your hat.

Some of my top picks for your headwear for the Kentucky Derby day are the Arlie hat with its rich bright coloring and feminine floral detail or the Claudia for a chic and polished light look or for a fun light and bright look the Springtime hat, all of which can be found at Fashion at the Races. For less expensive options try a great Polka Dot wide brimmed hat.

Check out Lauren Conrad for celebrity inspiration. She matches her hat to her outfit and though her hat isn’t wide brimmed, it has great feminine detail. Also check out Paula Patton, Vanessa Lachey, Coco Rocha, and Jeanni Mai for inspiration.

The 140th Kentucky Derby takes place on Saturday, May 2, 2014 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.