What shoes should I wear to the Kentucky Derby
William Taylor
Updated on March 21, 2026
Chic summer sandals, open-toed heels, or chunky pair of espadrilles will do the trick on Derby Day. While the actual Derby race only lasts a few minutes, the day as a whole is quite lengthy, so make sure you’re wearing a comfortable pair of shoes.
What is the proper attire for the Kentucky Derby?
A pantsuit, cocktail dress or business formal attire is recommended. Of course, you’ll want to accessorize accordingly. Pearls, a vineyard vines clutch and a stunning Derby hat are a must! Casual is key.
Can you wear black to Kentucky Derby?
Wear Black The dress has a modern, stylish silhouette, making it more playful, rather than formal. And the floppy hat tones it down for the daytime occasion, as well.
What should I wear to Derby Day 2020?
This is the classiest of the Carnival days. “Derby Day is black and white, so you want to be wearing either black or white. You don’t want to be wearing any colour on Derby Day. It’s all about being classy at the races,” according to fashionista Nadia Bartel.What should I bring to a Derby party?
- Food. There are a few essentials you must serve at your Derby party. …
- Cocktails. The mint julep is the iconic drink of the Kentucky Derby. …
- Decorations. …
- Invitations. …
- Programs. …
- Games. …
- Attire.
Why are there hats at the Kentucky Derby?
The tradition of the Kentucky Derby hat began at the inception of the race; the founder Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. wanted to ensure a good crowd at his event. … The tradition of the hat lives on as a fun element to the races (and more practically to keep the sun out of spectator’s eyes).
Can you wear a fascinator to the Kentucky Derby?
We rounded up some hat ideas to shop this year: Consider race day a chance to really go wild. Fascinators—smaller headpieces worn on a headband or a comb—have also become popular at the Derby in recent years, thanks to fans of the British royal family.
Why is Derby Day black and white?
The race was first run in 1780 and in 1787, the Earl of Derby’s horse won the race, carrying his black and white silks. Many believe this is where the black and white theme originated. Others believe it was inspired by Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady or that it was to mourn the death of King Edward VII.What should I wear to Derby Day 2021?
The 2021 Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby fans accessorized their bowties, strappy heels, suit coats, jumpsuits and spring dresses in indigo, bright yellow, greens and various shades of pink and purple.
Can you wear GREY to Derby Day?The dress code for men and women on Derby Day is Black and White – but you can get away with shades of grey. The official flower for Derby Day is the cornflower.
Article first time published onHow much does a mint julep cost at the Kentucky Derby?
Kentucky Derby 2021: Annual $1,000 mint julep celebrates Black jockeys.
What is the food of the Kentucky Derby?
Country Ham and Biscuits For a Derby Day classic, bake frozen tea biscuits and fill with thin slices of country ham. Have guests dress biscuits with flavored butter and mustard blends.
What are some Kentucky Derby traditions?
Among the long-standing Derby traditions are the drinking of mint juleps (an iced cocktail consisting of bourbon, mint, and sugar), the wearing of ornate hats by female spectators, and the raucous partying that takes place in the track’s infield.
What can I cook on Derby Day?
- 01 of 17. Classic Bourbon Mint Julep Cocktail. …
- 02 of 17. Benedictine Dip or Spread. …
- 03 of 17. Buttermilk Fried Chicken. …
- 04 of 17. The Hot Brown. …
- 05 of 17. Classic Southern Fried Green Tomatoes. …
- 06 of 17. Southern Buttermilk Biscuits. …
- 07 of 17. Baked Ham With Sweet Bourbon-Mustard Glaze. …
- 08 of 17.
Why do ladies wear hats to the Kentucky Derby?
Wearing a hat to the Kentucky Derby is believed to bear good luck! The long-established fashion was started by the women, however, over the last few years, many men have taken part in the tradition as well.
Should your fascinator match your dress or shoes?
For the majority, the most important thing to consider when choosing a fascinator is the colour and because wearing a fascinator expresses your delight in dressing up, we recommend either picking a colour to match the dress or opt for an accent colour if the dress has more than one colour.
Can you wear white to the Kentucky Derby?
OK, black and white may be in vogue but let’s keep in mind we’re in Kentucky where bright colors and florals are always a springtime favorite. The Kentucky Derby gives you an opportunity to take spring fashion to the next level and really push the envelope.
Which side should you wear a fascinator?
As long as you’re able to securely fasten the fascinator to your head, how you style your hair is up to you. Just keep in mind that, traditionally, they’re worn on the right-hand side.
What is the difference between a derby hat and a bowler hat?
Bowlers and derbies are actually the same hat, the only difference is “Bowler Hat” is the British name and “Derby Hat” is the American name. … People called them Bowlers in the UK, and Derby hats here in the US due to how they originated and were used. Shop for a bowler hat now.
Has a mare ever won the Kentucky Derby?
Winning Colors (1988), Genuine Risk (1980) and Regret (1915) are the only fillies to win the Kentucky Derby. … Winning Colors and Genuine Risk are the only two fillies to compete in all three Triple Crown races.
How much does it cost to go to the Kentucky Derby?
How to buy infield tickets for the 2021 Kentucky Derby. Derby Day infield-only general admission tickets, which will not have access to the front side of Churchill Downs, are $75 if purchased prior to April 18; $80 if purchased between April 19-30; and $85 if purchased on Kentucky Derby Day.
How do you dress for a race?
Wear anything casual like denim, sportswear, untailored pants and jackets, leggings, sneakers or thongs (shoes that go between the first two toes). Show too much skin – bare midriffs (including cut-outs) are a no-no, as are strapless dresses or spaghetti straps in members’ areas. Avoid shorts and short playsuits.
Is it OK to wear black to the races?
Color. Getting dressed up for the races is fun and your outfit should reflect that. Therefore, consider choosing a bright or floral colored dress that you usually wouldn’t have chosen. Black is chic, but for the races, you can play around with pinks and bold blues.
Why is Derby Day called Derby Day?
Derby day generally refers to any sporting event featuring a pair of sports teams engaged in a rivalry. (The term originated from association football, for the day when a certain local derby takes place.)
What Colour rose for Derby Day?
The official flower of the Kentucky Derby is the red rose. The Derby is often called the Run for the Roses after the red rose garland awarded to the winning thoroughbred. 7,500 stems of red roses are used to decorate racetrack events each year.
How much does it cost to go to the Kentucky Derby 2020?
Purchase DatePriceJan. 1 – Feb. 28 at 11:59PM ET$50March 1 – April 17 at 11:59PM ET$55April 18 – Day Before Event at 11:59PM ET$60Day of Event (May. 6)$65
Can you wear a bow tie to the races?
It’s fine to wear either a bow tie or regular neck ties for a day at the races. A bow tie will help you stand out but sporting a bow tie can be a little risky especially if it won’t match well with your suit. The best option is to use the classic silk neck tie with simple stripes or Paisley pattern design instead.
What drink is most popular at the Kentucky Derby?
Cool as Kentucky. Fresh as Spring. The Mint Julep has been the traditional beverage of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby for nearly a century. Each year, almost 120,000 Mint Juleps are served over the two-day period of Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby weekend at Churchill Downs Racetrack.
Why is mint julep so expensive?
Actually, the normal price of a Mint Julep at Churchill Downs hovers around $11 a cup, but for the swanky spenders, the concoction can be priced at $1,000-plus purely because it’s sometimes sold in a 24-carat gold plated souvenir cup with a silver straw.
Is Mint Julep a girly drink?
But you don’t want to miss out on the classic Kentucky Derby drink, the mint julep. Yes, it’s a mixed drink—but it’s not a girly one. The track’s signature drink is built on bourbon whiskey, giving it a creamy, caramel-like flavor, with a punch of spicy oak that’s sharpened by the fresh mint.
Who wore homburg hats?
In England, Winston Churchill further popularized the Homburg among men, while Dwight D. Eisenhower made it the hat of choice in the United States during his tenure as president. Though the Homburg fell out of fashion in the 1950s and 60s, it regained popularity when Al Pacino donned a Homburg Hat in The Godfather.