Looks That Honor Decades of Kentucky Derby Fashion

This year, in celebration of the 150th 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 83rd Iroquois Steeplechase and the Downtown Franklin Rotary’s Jockeys and Juleps party.

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

Suiting - Atelier Munro

SHIRT - Eton

Bowtie - Brackish

POCKet Square - R. Hanauer

HAT - The Hat Doctor

DRESS - Huishan Zhang

GLOVES - Cornelia James

HANDBAG - Judith Leiber

FASCINATOR - Karen Morris Millinery

EARRINGS - Kate Spade

DRESS - V Chapman

GLOVES - Cornelia James

CROSSBODY - Radley London

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!

To learn more about the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby, what to wear and more, visit kentuckyderby.com

GUEST STYLE EDITOR - Zanna Roberts Rassi

PHOTOGRAPHER - Andrew Kung Group for Churchill Downs Racetrack

LEAD STYLIST - Devki Bhatt

MENSWEAR STYLIST - Chris Burns – Rodes for Him

HAIR STYLISTS - Karie Higgins & Kelsey Nelson

MAKEUP STYLISTS - Cassie Young & Misty Loggie