There are few more historic events on the racing calendar than the Kentucky Derby, and the Churchill Downs showpiece has created some of the long-lasting memories in the sport for many fans of racing.
However, in this current day, besides creating engagement with the release of the official 2023 Kentucky Derby odds, the KD has also quickly become one of the biggest fashion events on the U.S. calendar, with celebrities attending the prestigious event annually. But, how did it become such a perfect mesh of sport and fashion throughout its history?
Fashion A Part Of Derby Day
When the founding father of the Kentucky Derby, Colonel M. Lewis Clark Jr, envisaged the race, there was always a growing sense that fashion would play a particularly prominent role. The goal of the race was to create an environment within the sport that would ooze luxury and comfort, something that would give an American audience the same experience as those that attend some of the biggest European race days.
Fashion was a prominent fixture in all of the early renewals of the Kentucky Derby, with reporters in 1901 claiming that men and women both dressed ‘gaily’ in colours such as yellow, blue, and red. While dresses for women are now readily available in stores across the country, back then, planning was the key factor that all needed to assess. That was often done through communication with seamstresses, who would help create the famous backdrop of fashion through the early years of the race.
Later Fashion
Changes to societal rules in the 20th century meant that women were able to be more flexible with their outfit choices for Derby day, with images of females in dresses and suit both evident through achieved images.
The latter remains an extremely popular choice with women in the modern day, given that the temperature can often vary on the first Saturday in May, meaning that the emphasis remains on staying prepared for a colder breeze.
However, given the emphasis has been on fashion since the 90s, we often see females braving the conditions and opting for their best dress for Derby day. The addition of hats and the Derby is nothing new, but nowadays we see more flamboyant designs, with fashionable Racegoers looking to ensure that they capture the imagination of those that they bump into.
Of course, the Derby continues to progress with their rules for dress, and that is evident within the cheaper enclosures in the modern day. These tickets enable those that don’t want to get dressed up and just focus on the racing can do so. Here, Racegoers will typically wear comfortable clothing, such as cotton skirts or shorts, depending on the weather condition. However, the fact that the Derby remains one of the standout events on the calendar for fashion remains as evident today as it ever has.
Kentucky Derby 2023
The big fashion day of the year in the United States is fast approaching again, as the 2023 Kentucky Derby will be staged on Saturday, May 6, 2023. It promises to be a hugely well-attended day at the races once again, just as it was 12 months ago when Rich Strike was the 81/1 shock winner of the opening Triple Crown race of the season.
Many will be looking to wager money on the race on the day, and it already looks set to be a quality field competing in the race this year.
Arabian Knight is the current favorite at the top of the betting, while Breeders’ Cup hero Forte could be set to take his chance at history at Churchill Downs. However, the final field will not be declared until the final Kentucky Derby prep race later in the year.