STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

littlelatina · BCBG

Kentucky Derby Fundraiser-What to wear? HELP

scarlett · Marc Jacobs

I haven't been to the Derby, but my parents were invited a few years ago and I remember my Mom was very nervous about what to wear!

She said women at the Derby itself looked very feminine -- lots of floral dresses and hats. She also went to a ball and a cocktail party, and got a full-length dress for the ball. Not that you need a full-length number for the fund-raiser! ;)

What time of day is the fund-raiser and where is it being held? I think your husband will have to wear a jacket and tie, if not a suit. As for you, the time/location should help narrow down the options....

Kelly · Hermes

Lucky! I live in Louisville and love seeing all the pictures around all of the fancy affairs, even though I've never attended one :)

scarlett is definitely right, the style of derby itself (and all of the parties surrounding it) is very feminine and "southern belle." Almost all the women will be wearing dresses. Hats are obviously a huge part of the derby itself, but I honestly don't know if they're a big part of fundraisers. No one will fault you for wearing one, that's for sure! But at an event other than the Derby or Oaks themselves you might not see a hat on every single head.

For your husband, this is a chance to bust out anything "girly" he might not otherwise wear (if he feels the need, of course). I worked at the derby a year or two ago and even though it was hell being in food service it was almost worth it just to see all of the outfits! The Derby is the one occasion wear a man will not only be saved from ridicule, but actually applauded for wearing a pastel pink suit and light green wingtips!

This page from the newspaper has a lot of style links on it

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=DERBYFUN05

littlelatina · BCBG

The party is during the derby, but it is in Austin, TX at a local restaurant/bar. So it is a day event, during the actual derby....

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I have a dress, but I'm antsy about a hat???

rar210 · Marc Jacobs

I live in KY and we LOVE our Derby. I've been to the Oaks several times but have yet to go to the Derby. Maybe in the next couple years though....
The Derby (and Oaks for that matter) is all about being GIRLY.