2024 Kentucky Derby Style Guide

LEFT TO RIGHT: FASCINATOR - Jane Taylor London NECKLACE - Ben-Amun APPAREL - Bach Mai SHOES - Black Suede Studio FASCINATOR - Jane Taylor London SHOES - Andrea Iyamah BOATER - Hat Haven Millinery SCARF - Alemeis SHOES - Rosamund Muir London

Fashion Maven Zanna Roberts Rassi Curates Looks That Honor Decades of Derby Fashion

This year, in celebration of the 150^th Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs Racetrack has published its first-ever Kentucky Derby Style Guide. The guide, created in partnership with fashion, beauty, and entertainment journalist Zanna Roberts Rassi, honors the rich cultural tradition of the storied event with a collection of looks that pay homage to Derby fashion from the past 150 years.

In addition to being The Most Exciting Two Minutes In Sports™, the Kentucky Derby is a celebrated style showcase where the racetrack grounds turn into an extraordinary fashion runway. As a respected fashion taste-maker, Zanna was tapped as Guest Style Editor for the inaugural publication of the Kentucky Derby Style Guide – overseeing the hand-selected looks to inspire the attire worn for this historic Kentucky Derby, taking place on Saturday, May 4, 2024. From classic couture dresses and sleek bowties to colorful hats and timeless accessories, the Kentucky Derby Style Guide highlights traditional, yet modern takes on quintessential Kentucky Derby fashion from longstanding fashion partners and brands like vineyard vines, Longines, Radley London, Brackish and more.

In addition to the Derby, these style tips are perfect for the upcoming running of the 83^rd Iroquois Steeplechase and the Downtown Franklin Rotary’s Jockeys and Juleps party.

FASCINATOR - Karen Morris Millinery EARRINGS - Kate Spade DRESS - V Chapman GLOVES - Cornelia James CROSSBODY - Radley London

Suiting - Atelier Munro SHIRT - Eton Bowtie - Brackish Pocket Square - R. Hanauer

HAT - The Hat Doctor DRESS - Huishan Zhang GLOVES - Cornelia James HANDBAG - Judith Leiber

Zanna’s Tip

Pastels have long been a favorite at the Kentucky Derby, but this year, we will specifically see a lot of powdery, icy pale blue. Spotted all over the red carpet (Lupita Nyong’o and Da’Vine Joy Randolph at the Oscars) and the runway (LV and Bottega Veneta), this is the perfect trans-seasonal hue for race day and easy to rock for both the ladies and gents!

Left to Right: FEDORA - Christine A. Moore Millinery POLO - vineyard vines TROUSERS - Eleventy STRAW HATS - Peter Beaton JEWELRY - Ben-Amun WOMENS WEAR - MAE NEW YORK HANDBAGS - Judith Leiber SHOES - Sarah Flint GLOVES - Cornelia James

HEADBAND - Brianna Cannon EARRINGS - Ben-Amun DRESS - Reem Acra

Zanna’s Tips

HATS FIRST:Let’s prioritize – The star of the show is your headwear so start there and let the rest of your outfit follow.

It’s all about balance – So, if you are working a flamboyant extra-large hat, think about keeping the outfit streamlined and more minimal.

Should you have a sleek hat, you can balance it with a fun color or pattern – You want to ensure that one does not overpower the other and vice versa.

Shoe Trends:When it comes to footwear, I suggest prioritizing comfort as the day can be quite lengthy. But there’s no need to sacrifice comfort for style. I would avoid stilettos (as anyone who has tried to walk on grass in some can attest to) - the breakout star of this summer will be wedges. A chunky block heel or wedge sandals are both grass and feet friendly!