Archive

Hats of the Kentucky Derby: From Elegant to Wacky

This year’s selection of behatted attendees at Churchill Downs did not disappoint.

galleries/2013/05/05/hats-of-the-kentucky-derby-from-elegant-to-whacky0/derby-hats-tease_tcgjfq
Matt Slocum/AP; John Sommers II/Reuters, via Landov; Kevin Dietsch/UPI, via Landov
galleries/2013/05/05/hats-of-the-kentucky-derby-from-elegant-to-whacky0/derby-hats-tease_trfym0

The 139th Kentucky Derby was welcomed in typically extravagant fashion at Churchill Downs on Saturday. Horses may be the main attraction, but the behatted spectators flooding into Louisville in their seersucker suits and wild, swooping headpieces are the true eye candy. Here are some of the biggest fashion statements seen at this year's Derby Day, from the sophisticated to the frivolous.

Matt Slocum/AP; John Sommers II/Reuters, via Landov; Kevin Dietsch/UPI, via Landov
galleries/2013/05/05/hats-of-the-kentucky-derby-from-elegant-to-whacky0/derby-hats-01_x0hfbw

Rain wasn't about to deter the elegantly dressed attendees.

David GoldmanAP
galleries/2013/05/05/hats-of-the-kentucky-derby-from-elegant-to-whacky0/derby-hats-02_qubpu0

Red cups holding flowers balance on the heads of race patrons awaiting the start.

John Gress/Reuters, via Landov
galleries/2013/05/05/hats-of-the-kentucky-derby-from-elegant-to-whacky0/derby-hats-03_lihp62

A checkered hat swoops in front of an attendee's face.

John Sommers II/Reuters, via Landov
galleries/2013/05/05/hats-of-the-kentucky-derby-from-elegant-to-whacky0/derby-hats-04_fobm2f

Pink and black feathers adorn the hat of a woman in the paddock.

Kevin Dietsch/UPI, via Landov
galleries/2013/05/05/hats-of-the-kentucky-derby-from-elegant-to-whacky0/derby-hats-05_xnchnf

Cigar smoke billows from the mouth of a classically dressed man on Derby Day.

Kevin Dietsch/UPI, via Landov
galleries/2013/05/05/hats-of-the-kentucky-derby-from-elegant-to-whacky0/derby-hats-06_gwlyaf

Rain soaks a waiting spectator before the race.

Jeff Haynes/Reuters, via Landov
galleries/2013/05/05/hats-of-the-kentucky-derby-from-elegant-to-whacky0/derby-hats-07_l3eayg

Now, that's a hat: a daring attendee shows off her plummage.

Matt Slocum/AP
galleries/2013/05/05/hats-of-the-kentucky-derby-from-elegant-to-whacky0/derby-hats-08_uogieg

Hats of all colors, shapes, and sizes were the main spectacle at Saturday's race.

Matt Slocum/AP
galleries/2013/05/05/hats-of-the-kentucky-derby-from-elegant-to-whacky0/derby-hats-09_iuz0mb

Two flamingos loom over the head of an exuberant race-goer.

Kevin Dietsch/UPI, via Landov
galleries/2013/05/05/hats-of-the-kentucky-derby-from-elegant-to-whacky0/derby-hats-10_xrkymn

Spring colors were out in full bloom on the heads of Kentucky Derby viewers.

Kevin Dietsch/UPI, via Landov
galleries/2013/05/05/hats-of-the-kentucky-derby-from-elegant-to-whacky0/derby-hats-11_jdkt1j

An arriving spectator shows off her demure headpiece.

Matt Slocum/AP