Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Fashion Show of Hats in Louisville, Kentucky

     The 141st Kentucky Derby in Churchill Downs happened on May 2, 2015. Yes, I was there!

     This world-renowned horse racing event was packed with fans of horses and fashion. I am not a fan of the derby, but I was there to experience the fun, the festival, and fashion.

     Based on my research, "The long-established fashion was started with Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr.'s vision for the derby as an event that the high-class would attend, similar to European-style racing events, which mandated full morning dress for men and women. For the first running of the Kentucky Derby, he used high-class women to recruit his target clientele to attend the race. The event quickly became just as much about fashion as racing. Going to a horse racing event became an opportunity to show off the latest in spring fashion, and women were known to coordinate their hats, dresses, bags, shoes, and even parasols."

     I didn't bring an elaborate hat and wasn't wearing a spring color dress. Instead, I had a New York-style short black dress, which I think had matched my simple hat. I knew how to carry myself and mingle with the beautiful crowd anyway! 

     I went to this event for the purpose of my CNN iReporting. It was so much fun taking photos. Fortunately, my story was vetted, and my photo was featured as the photo of the day. 

     It was entertaining watching glamorous girls with their gorgeous outfits and elaborate hats. Other interesting scenes were seeing some people getting wasted with too much drinking. But, of course, this is a party, so it's not surprising. The entrance fee was expensive, but it was worth my experience. 

     Kentucky Derby is a southern tradition and one of the biggest sports and entertainment events globally. This is one of my favorite events in the US. Maybe you can include this on your list, too. 
  

 



 

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