The Derby itself, I can’t say has or will ever interest me much, but the sheer femininity of the fashion sported at this occasion is too much not to blog about! It’s all so Southern Belle and very refreshing! Maybe not as everyday fashion of course, but it’s fun to play dress up every now and again and pretend you’re off to meet Mr. Rhett Butler. Am I right ladies?

Some may choose to have a Kentucky Derby themed party or simply decide to dress up for any special occasion. At any rate the hat is definitely key. Stated directly on the official site are some interesting pointers to achieve a flawless look.

Dress or Hat –  Which Comes First?

You can exhale – there are two answers here!

Some will say that you absolutely get the outfit first. Then you design your hat to go with the outfit. (The argument here is that it’s easier to custom design a hat than to “make” an outfit to go with a hat!)

Then there are those who say that you must definitely purchase, create or design your hat before picking out the outfit.

Most often in this case, matching the dress (or outfit) to your hat involves personal preference, however keep a few things in mind in getting dressed:

* If your hat is having a pattern party, keep the dress design simple. * If the hat is simple and elegant, keep the outfit simple also for a classy look. * If you want a funky outfit, keep it consistent and accent the hat most of all! * If you have long hair, showcase a ponytail slightly to side or keep it down to one side to highlight the color on your face.

Now we did say this was Kentucky Derby on a Texan dime so to keep the outfit under a certain budget you may want to visit your local consignment store to find a hat. It doesn’t need to be flashy because you can always create an elegant hat using materials from around the house and garden. Not to mention make a visit to your local craft shop for your decorating needs.  This will create a buzz with your friends and family, perhaps even win a contest at your local party.

Remember to wear fresh Spring colors and you will be the belle of the ball!