6 Kentucky Derby Style Ideas

About The Kentucky Derby

Beginning in 1875, the Kentucky Derby is known as America’s Greatest Race conducted at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. It’s rich traditions include sipping mint juleps, donning a beautiful hat, and singing “My Old Kentucky Home” from the grandstands. The Kentucky Derby is the longest running sporting event in the United States. Last year, American Pharoah won the Kentucky Derby and later went on to win the Triple Crown and then ending his career with a Grand Slam win at the Breeders’ Cup.

A top rank Grade I stakes race for 3 year old Thoroughbred Horses, the Kentucky Derby is run at one and one-quarter miles long on dirt. Colts and geldings in the race carry 126 pounds, and fillies in the race carry 121 pounds. Twenty horses compete in the Kentucky Derby, which is a larger field size than most horse races; typically on average of 8 horses race against each other.

Taking place on the first Saturday in May each year, the Kentucky Derby draws a crowd of nearly 155,000 people. Millions tune in to NBC for The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports”, while some even host their own Kentucky Derby parties at home.

We’ve collected an exciting edition of six style ideas for your outfits to your parties for this year’s Kentucky Derby. But, don’t forget to mark your calendar: May 7, 2016  is the official Kentucky Derby Day!

Preppy

Bright floral prints, pink and green shift dresses, of course Lilly Pulitzer comes to mind!

• Pearl Lace Shift Dress: Lilly Pulitzer
• Hat: Candida by Christine A. Moore
• Shoes: Disco Sandal by Tory Burch 
• Bracelet: Alex and Ani

Dress up your table with mini planters and a horse statue as the center piece. You can never go wrong with pink, especially on Kentucky Oaks day! 😉

Classic Black & White

Jackie O knows this look well, and you should too. Simply classic, elegant, and chic.

• Dress: Kate Spade 
• Hat: Dior by Christine A. Moore
• Wedges: Gold
• Bracelet: Mars and Valentine

Painted horseshoes for name placements are the perfect party favor. They add just the right touch of equestrian style to the table.

Trendy

For the fashion-forward and frugal gal:

• Dress: Tobi
• Hat: Tasha by Christine A. Moore
• Bracelet: Stella & Dot – Eden Bangle 
• Wedges: Target

Upside down mason jars painted with the horses’ numbers make a great equestrian centerpiece along with a fun way to place your bets!

Traditional

Well, they say it’s the “run for the roses”, so break out the red!

• Dress: Nordstrom
• Hat: Baker by Christine A. Moore
• Wedges: Nordstrom
• Bracelet: Snaffle Bit Bracelet – Caracol Silver 

As always, 14 hands wine is always a great choice for your equestrian style Kentucky Derby party! Dress up the wine bottles with red and gold to match the theme.

Mens

Because we can’t leave out our favorite gents…

 

 

Sportcoat: Vineyard Vines

Tie: Race Dy by Vineyard Vines

Shoes: Cole Haan

Hydrangeas, ribbons, and rye grass included in this equestrian style derby table create a fresh and fun look for the Kentucky Derby. Keep it simple with white linens and add a couple white model horses scattered throughout.

Whether you’re trendy, classic, or preppy, the main goal of the Kentucky Derby event is to have fun! It’s the beginning of summer horse racing season, which will continue all the way up to the Breeders’ Cup in November.

There are plenty of exciting horses to keep an eye out for, one of our favorites… is Nyquist. We hope he can live up to last year’s excitement! Until then, the best is yet to come!