The Most Over-the-top Hats at the Kentucky Derby Through the Years
Every year guests don their best — and oftentimes, craziest — hats for the Kentucky Derby in Louisville.
Hats have been synonymous with the annual horse race since it was established by Col. Meriwether Clark Jr. in 1875. Inspired by British races, Clark Jr. and his wife helped kick off the now annual tradition of wearing hats for the occasion. Over the 150 years since then, hats have become bigger and bolder as guests leaned into the spirit of competition through the staple accessory. Satellite viewing events for the Derby in other cities are also anchored by festive headpieces, with accompanying competitions that can rival the actual race itself.
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Here’s a look at some of the most outlandish millinery that guests have worn to the Derby throughout the years, from models of Churchill Downs racetrack’s twin spires to scenes of the racetrack and other Bacchanalian displays. And with more than 150,000 guests expected to attend the race, there will be plenty more to come.
Craziest Hats at the Kentucky Derby Through the Years
![LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MAY 04: A view of a woman wearing a hat prior to the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 04, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Qpwi3XlWm.Kv7jB5jHogYQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MA--/https://wwd.com/wp-content/themes/vip/pmc-wwd-2021/assets/public/lazyload-fallback.gif)
![LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 07: A view of Derby hats at the 142nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 07, 2016 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Churchill Downs)](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Qpwi3XlWm.Kv7jB5jHogYQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MA--/https://wwd.com/wp-content/themes/vip/pmc-wwd-2021/assets/public/lazyload-fallback.gif)
![LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 07: View of derby hat during the 142nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 07, 2016 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Churchill Downs)](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Qpwi3XlWm.Kv7jB5jHogYQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MA--/https://wwd.com/wp-content/themes/vip/pmc-wwd-2021/assets/public/lazyload-fallback.gif)
Launch Gallery: Craziest Hats at the Kentucky Derby Through the Years
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