When you think of the Kentucky Derby, what comes to mind? Horses? Mint juleps? Big hats? While technically the Derby is about the horses, it's really all about the fashion. So when the opportunity presented itself to attend Chicago's biggest Derby party and enjoy The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports (check out last year here), after immediately saying yes, I had one thought "What am I going to wear?"
When planning for a derby look, one is faced with the age-old dilemma; What should come first, the hat or the dress? If there is one thing I know, it's that I look absolutely horrid in hats. (For someone that comes from a baseball family, you would think I could pull one off with decent success; not the case). So currently I am in desperate search of the perfect hat, and once found, the right dress will follow.
The Kentucky Derby is always one of the most fun fashion events of the year, making it the perfect excuse to try out some of spring's hottest trends, like culottes, matching separates, and woven handbags. Hold on to your hats and shop the looks seen above, in the links below!
Look 1: Rebecca Taylor DITSY TULIP JUMPSUIT (rent it here) / Topshop Crochet Floppy Hat / ASOS Horse Shoe Swing Earrings / Mar y Sol 'Giselle' Woven Clutch
Look 2: BCBG JENNI RUFFLE-SHOULDER RACERBACK DRESS / Alex and Ani 'Kentucky Derby - Race Horse' Bangle / Brooks Brothers Flower Derby Hat / BP. 'Luminate' Open Toe Dress Sandal
Look 3: Pixie Market Little Dreams Matching Separates / PIERS ATKINSON Flower-embellished sinamay trilby / Karen Walker 'Number One' Sunglasses / SOLE SOCIETY GEMMA bejeweled sandal
Look 4: H & M Ribbed Dress / Mar y Sol 'Collins' Woven Tote / SOLE SOCIETY MIX STRAW SUN HAT / SOLE SOCIETY Nahara wedge