Listen up, ladies, it’s time for the Kentucky Derby again! We all know what that means: Fast horses, loud crowds, and the heart pounding excitement of the race…
Ok, not really. What it really means is hats, bigger hats, and the biggest hats!
The wild and outrageous hats have been a tradition for years at the Kentucky Derby, with some women even believing that a lucky hat can affect the outcome of the race. This tradition stems from horse racing originally being a sport only for the very wealthy and those for whom any event was an excuse to see and be seen. As horse racing fell from favor and hats faded from everyday fashion, the still popular Kentucky Derby became one of the last venues for displaying the creations of the local milliner. Today, the hats reflect the larger-than-life drama of the most famous horse race in the country.
One concern for women sporting the “Derby Hat” is picking the right outfit and accessories to perfectly complement their outlandish and creative hats. When it comes to sunglasses, the simpler the better, especially since they are close enough to the hat to easily create style competition.
We’ve done the work for you and picked out three frames that perfectly complement the boldest and most creative hats.
Our first example is a lovely straw hat with a dramatic pink flower and band.
For a hat like this, we’ve chosen a beautiful frame from Alexander Daas. The outside is a soft honey brown that speaks to the natural coloring of the straw, but the inside packs a punch of pretty ballerina pink, creating the perfect subtle accompaniment to the pink accents on the hat.
Our next example is a hat with a bit more outlandish detail.
For this hat we’ve picked out a translucent chocolate frame from the legendary Robert Marc. A beautiful, classic shape is a must for such a luxury event, and lets the hat do all of the fashion legwork. In addition, the rich apricot lining mimics the color scheme of the hat in a soft and understated way.
For our final hat we’ve picked the archetypal Derby Hat, a wide brim, floppy straw hat with black trim and an oversized bow, the perfect addition of high derby drama.
This hat demands some equally dramatic frames, but ones that work with the hat, not against it. We’ve chosen a round black pair from Entourage of 7. The oversized shape gives it the required punch, while the glossy black makes it simple enough to not compete with the real statement, the hat.
Remember, ladies, the Kentucky Derby is all about fashion, drama, and of course, horses. Get out there and enjoy the race, regardless of your chosen accessories!
