Kentucky Derby Fashion
Kentucky Derby weekend is finished but the thoughts of Mint Juleps, Lillies, and great (and horrible) millinery still fill the mind. It was great to see the transition from the lazy print summer dresses and flip-flops to the more high fashion and well put together dress or skirts with stylish heels. Even the Longines Most Elegant Lady Competition had a definite step up from last year. The winner was well deserved in a high fashion outfit that may have cost a small fortune but did pay off in the end!
Of course there were still the big brimmed pieces but it seemed as though ladies were starting to move toward the smaller, more constructed and artistic millinery this year. Even speaking to a few fashionable fillies, they said this was the first year they lost the big brimmed and will never go back! Although we love celebrities at the Kentucky Derby, much of their fashion was a bit disappointing compared to what we ask of all of you. So if we haven’t said this before, thank you for being a stylish race fashionista and representing Fashion at the Races in such a positive light! We did have a few favourites with the obvious one being Coco Rocha in a suited stylish skirt and blazer and a great hat with purple floral detail. We couldn’t get her to comment on what she was wearing but as soon as we find out we will let you know! 
Scotty Pippen’s wife, ex-real-housewife of Miami Larsa showed up in a laid back BCBG dress in a lableless hat, the beautiful country goddess Miranda Lambert appeared in a strapless dress with a beautiful constructed sinamay piece (again no comment for designers), and the always stylish (NOT) Kid Rock showed up in his always white T-shirt and red hat combination. At least he wore a hat? Hopefully next year they will step it up and realize there are artistic pieces for headwear …which they can purchase on our website from talented milliners all over the world! The masses flocked to Churchill downs adorned in hats, heels, and great dresses. How quickly that changed as the rain didn’t want to let up for 
even a minute. Looking out into the stands that weren’t undercover, you’d think it was just a Wednesday in the middle of May. Gumboots and ponchos were the only ‘style’ you saw walking out by the paddock. Although once you stepped inside, the ladies enjoyed their Derby outfits, even if it wasn’t by the twin spires. Bright colours, patterns, A-lines, and vintage inspired style flooded the Downs. Although the big hat was all over we were happy to see many a fascinator and hatinator on the heads of beautiful ladies. Many ladies left the Little Black Dress at home (as we hoped) and came to the Derby with those feminine prints and bright patterned fabrics that brings the rainy day into a sunnier light.
It was fantastic to see hats from the Fashion at the Races website adorning stylish ladies throughout the track. This one on the gorgeous Ashley Moreno was a stand-out piece designed by FATR milliner, Karen Morris. She also wore a Karen Morris design on Oaks Day! See more photos here: https://fashionattheraces.com/gallery/ Stay tuned for more on this big weekends fashion!