Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Kentucky Derby Factoid 5



Femininity is in Fashion: Derby Hats and Elegant Dresses. From its’ inception, the Derby was envisioned to be a luxurious event in American Thoroughbred Racing. Beginning in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, affluent women arrived at the race wearing fashionable hats, gloves, and stylish dresses. Throughout the years, the tradition of Derby hats and feminine couture has endured, and perhaps, grown more colorful and expensive with each new season. Today, women wear many styles of glamorous hats, along with a wide variety of dresses and suits. The feminine pageantry surrounding the race has become nearly as iconic as the horses on the field.

4 comments:

Chris C. said...

derby contest this year?

JoanC said...

Nora - I went to the Derby four times. Three times I got dressed up for the event, but the fourth I was sick of the fuss about dresses, hats etc.

So I talked with "Uncle Eugene" Jacobs and he said "good for you, dress down, come to the barn and I'll give you a bucket to carry over from the backstretch when it's time for all of us to bring Well Decorated over".

I did that and it was the best and most memorable Derby I ever attended. I can still see those old towers in my memory.......

Nora said...

Yes! Derby contest is on!

Melanie said...

Love, love, love the hats :)