The lasting tradition of outlandish Derby hats has reinvigorated the hat industry, with many women opting to design their own custom headpiece nowadays. Although the tradition of wearing a hat hasn’t changed over the years, the styles have always been influenced by the popular fashion trends of their time. Check out this brief visual history of Derby hats to help inspire your next outfit!
1875:
At the time of the race’s inauguration in 1875, wearing hats was not only for special occasions but an everyday fashion. As such, the hats worn by the ladies in attendance might seem plain by today’s standards.
1920s:
Although the flapper style most often associated with this time period wasn’t heavily reflected at the Derby, the signature cloche hats certainly made an appearance. Some progressive women of the time even dared to pair them with fashionable suits instead of the traditional dress.
1960s:
As attendance rules became more open and the dress code more relaxed, the hats became more extreme. The 60’s saw a crucial turning point for hat fashion at the event, and women’s headgear started becoming more and more extravagant at the Derby as they fell out of everyday fashion practices.
2010s:
Big, bold hats are still the mainstay of Derby fashion, but fascinators have been rapidly gaining popularity among the younger crowd. These smaller headpieces were made popular during the broadcast of the Royal Wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011 and have since found a loyal following among American Derby-goers.