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LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MAY 03: A woman wears a hat prior to the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 03, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Few traditions in American sports blend fashion, history, and culture in as spectacular of a way than the Kentucky Derby has curated amongst its attendees. As the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs is set to take place on Saturday May 2, 2026, the time for this year’s collection of over-the-top headwear has come.

One way to catch a glimpse at the most extravagant hats worn by attendees at the derby is to tune into the live coverage of the event – a full schedule and list of ways to watch the 2026 Kentucky Derby is available here.

How Kentucky Derby Hats Became As Extravagant As They Are Today

GettyAttendees wear colorful hats as they attend a preview day event ahead of the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2025, in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by LEANDRO LOZADA / AFP) (Photo by LEANDRO LOZADA/AFP via Getty Images)

Every year, thousands of spectators arrive to watch the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs wearing elaborate headpieces ranging from elegant wide-brimmed hats to towering floral creations covered in feathers, ribbons, and decorative attachments.

The tradition dates back to the very beginning of the Kentucky Derby in 1875. Inspired by European horse racing culture, Derby founder Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. modeled the event after prestigious races such as the Prix de Longchamp in France and England’s Royal Ascot. At the time, horse racing was viewed as a sophisticated social gathering for wealthy patrons, and in America that attitude was present at the inaugural Kentucky Derby. Since the event at Churchill Downs was considered to one of high etiquette, formal fashion was an essential condition of attending the derby.

From the time of its inception, the Kentucky Derby expected women who attended to wear elegant dresses and decorative hats as a sign of belonging to the upper-class and being able to exhibit proper etiquette.

The Evolution of Kentucky Derby Hats, Etiquette, and Fashion Requirements for Race Attendance

GettyAttendees wearing colorful hats enjoy a preview day event ahead of the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2025, in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by LEANDRO LOZADA / AFP) (Photo by LEANDRO LOZADA/AFP via Getty Images)

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, hats were a fashion accessory which represented status, refinement, and femininity. Fashionable women rarely appeared in public without some form of headwear, especially for social occasions. At the Kentucky Derby, hats quickly became both a fashion statement and a social competition among the women who attended. Wealthy attendees would commission custom designs featuring silk flowers, lace, bows, and imported fabrics to stand out and show their identity as a member of the upper-class amidst the crowd.

The Kentucky Derby’s fashion culture evolved significantly during the 1960s and 1970s as television coverage was introduced and expanded nationwide. Bright colors, oversized brims, and more theatrical designs became increasingly popular because attendees at the derby recognized the opportunity to gain attention on camera. What was once a formal accessory transformed into a bold expression of creativity and personality intended to communicate a message to the world.

Amanda Vining Amanda Vining is a career journalist with over 20 years of experience covering news for digital publications. More about Amanda Vining