Forget royal weddings, and Royal Ascot, the number one hat event of the year has come around again – and it hasn’t disappointed.
The Kentucky Derby was held last night in Louisville, and was attended by the who’s who of the deep south of America. From NFL players, to playboy models, the red carpet was rolled out and the stars came to play.
In sharp contrast to the subtle fascinators of Royal Ascot, or the minimal cocktails of Randwick, hats doubled in size and sprouted feathers. Coupled with bright dresses, glitter and sparkles, the red carpet this year saw gigantic Gainsboroughs, fluffy fascinators, and feathered fancies. Not to mention a flamingo, or two.
Ah, Kentucky. You never let us down.
With a range of Misses (Universe, Kentucky, United States) on parade, we were bound to see some bold pieces. Miss United States 2014 Elizabeth Safrit didn’t disappoint.
It wouldn’t be a Kentucky Derby without at least one Playboy Bunny. Ex-Hugh Hefner girlfriend, Kendra Wilkinson, went big but tame.
Model Bonnie-Jill Laflin decided to go for a ‘rose’ theme. And if you’re going to do something, may as well go all the way.
But unfortunately for Bonnie, Johnny took out the top prize for rose themed hats. In a big way. The Olympic figure skater complemented his rose mohawk with a brocade suit and velvet loafers.
Sports Illustrated model and host of the day, Hannah Davis, of mons pubis fame, decided on this pink hat (much to her own surprise).
Radio personality, Courtney Sixx, followed the pink trend, with this whopper, which wins the day for size.
But Star Jones won the day for feathers.
Actress Majandra Delfino subverted the big and feathered trend, by going modern and cool, but stuck out like a sore, fashionable thumb.
Modern Family star, Sarah Hyland, chose length over hat diameter.
Robin Meade went for one of the only fascinators of the evening. Her elegant, cream cocktail hat looked a little pricey.
Don’t have the money for a fascinator? Take a leaf out of Tara Lipinski’s book. A nice hat, just add hair colour and braids.
And then there were, of course, the Miss Kentucky’s (lots of them). These two, Caroline Ford and Katie George, went for colour coordination.
Matching dresses. Matching hats. Matching accessories. Is this the biggest faux pas in hat-wearing history, or just a tightly coordinated friendship?
The more the merrier, we guess. Priscilla and Patricia Barnstable matched their hats, dresses and accessories, too. And their faces.
Miss Kentucky United States Katie Himes proving that bigger is not always better.
It wouldn’t be the Kentucky without some crazy crowd shots.
Or a woman wearing a flamingo wearing a hat.
Why not wear some bows, and flowers… and butterflies, and ribbon?
Or cocktail with straw, and a tiny trumpet?
Or, I don’t know… the entire racecourse?
