Let Them Eat Cake!: Derby Style, Part 1

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Derby Style, Part 1

The Kentucky Derby is soon approaching, friends! This year it is the same day as my birthday and as Soon-To-Be-Mrs. Sophisticate's bachelorette party, so I probably won't get to watch it. But I will enjoy looking at all of the pictures of the event after. Horse racing events are one of the few situations in American culture where it is not only acceptable, but preferrable, to wear a hat. I love this! I really wish that there were more occassions where ladies could bust out their inner Southern Belle. Come to think of it, maybe there are more occassions in the South, but there definitely aren't in the North. Then all of the brightly colored dresses, ties, suits - Love. It's even expected that the men dress brightly and it's a rare opportunity for some who wouldn't otherwise to have fun with fashion. Today I'm mainly focusing on the ladies, but I hope that I have time over the next few weeks to focus on the men, too.

Hats - A Staple of Derby Fashion

Just look at a picture of what the crowd looks like:

And celebrities turn out, too!

I love Ashley Simpson and Pete Wentz's old-school society take on derby style. It adds a cheeky twist to preppy glamour. (from 2010)

And not to be left out, the lady of fashion herself wouldn't miss the Derby:

That's right - if we were taking score, I think Barbie has the winningest look of the day!

There are so many stores right now that have looks that would be incredible for the Derby. Lilly Pulitzer's Franco Dress in Hotty Pink Hot to Trot is adorable:

Throw a hat on with the dress and voila! You're ready to go.

Vineyard Vines even has their own Derby Collection:

And of course, I think the ever fashionable Kate Spade would be apropos for the event as well. This is just one option from the 2011 summer collection: