Horse Racing Fashion Must-Haves All Season Long.
Whether you’re a Derby fascinator type gal or a polka-dot necktie-wearing chap, we’ve got you covered this horse racing season
Derby fashion has long been a spectacle of refinement and grandeur, tracing its roots back to the Gilded Age when Churchill Downs was imagined as America’s answer to European racetracks—equal parts elegance and excitement.
For women, it wasn’t just about the race; it was about the reveal. From silk bustled gowns and parasols in the 1890s to the tailored suits of the 1940s, Derby Day was a sartorial showcase for the well-heeled and well-dressed. As American style evolved, so did Derby attire, with louder prints, shorter hemlines, and hats growing more elaborate with every passing decade.
Today, the Kentucky Derby remains one of the last true bastions of fashionable pageantry, where tradition and personal flair meet under wide brims and spring skies. Lucky for you, horseracing season has just begun! Enjoy our top fashion picks, followed by calendar listings, as we follow the race for the Triple Crown, with Nashville’s Iroquois Steeplechase sprinkled in for good measure.
But First: A Few Simple Ground Rules
Rule #1: Dress for the weather
Rule #2: Show off your unique style
Rule #3: Be bold with colors and patterns
Rule #4: Test out your shoes before the race
Rule #5: Don’t forget your accessories: pocket squares, belts, bowties, gloves and hats!
Trifecta: Classic Accessories
For Her
Kukhta Atelier Black Lace Gloves, $37.50 at Etsy
Heliades Sun Gantlet Poika Dot UV Gloves, $150 at Heliades
Cornelia James Lara Tulle Glove with Harlequin Cuff, $331 at Cornelia James
For Him
Laura Ashley x Tie Bar Kentucky Derby Walled Garden Green Bow Tie, $38 at Tie Bar
Bird Dog Bay Derby Season Tie, $95 at Bird Dog Bay
Favourbrook Pre-Tied Polka-Dot Silk-Jacquard Bow Tie, $105 atMr. Porter
Superfecta: Top it off
For Her
The Hat Girls THG8742 Hat, $590 at The Hat Girls
Magenta Winning Wager Fascinator, $40 at Darling State of Mind
For Him
SG Miller Ranch Fedora Hat - Patriotic Straw, $155 atSouthern Gents
Nick Fouquet Sun Beach Straw Hat, $725 at Nick Fouquet
Pick Six: Mix and match
Race 1: Haspel Classic Seersucker Suit, $695 at Perlis
Race 2: Todd Snyder Italian Linen Double-Breasted Jacket, $698 & Pants, $298 at Todd Snyder
Race 3: Etro Floral Print Jacket, $2600 at Neiman Marcus; Bound Smart Pleat Linen Trousers, $65 at Revolve
Race 4: Strapless Silk White & Green Floral Dress, $51 at MollyHello
Race 5: ASOS LUXE organza off-the-shoulder tiered mini dress in blurred floral print, $169 at ASOS
Race 6: Zimmerman Turquoise Paisley Illuminate Gown, $1750 at Tuckernuck
Bonus Pick: Inspirational Race Day Dress: Oscar de la Renta Embroidered Threadwork Mini Dress
$10,990