News

These Incredible Kentucky Derby Hats Are All You Need To See Today

by Jake Cappuccino
USA TODAY Sports

Yep, it's that time of year, the time when people put on their most incredible hats and get drunk while watching horses race.

That's right, it's the annual Kentucky Derby, the first horse race of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing.

Now, while many people do love to watch the horses race or bet on the outcomes, many people just show up to drink alcohol and wear their fanciest hats.

I don't know why people choose to wear crazy hats at the Derby, but as long as I've known about horse racing and the Kentucky Derby, I've known it's a tradition for people to wear funky hats to the race.

The Kentucky Derby website literally has paragraphs explaining how to choose a hat and dress for the race, including which item to choose first as well as some of the history behind the tradition.

According to ABC News, the tradition of wearing fun hats dates all the way back to 1875.

Darius Baptist, a stylist and the creative director of YRB magazine, told ABC News,

When women got dressed up, especially when they were going to church and formal events, the woman's crowning glory was the hat. In the South, women pride themselves on being Southern belles so wearing a hat to the Derby plays off of that. It's also a combination of Southern culture and British culture.

So, in honor of the 142nd Kentucky Derby, I've gathered up some of the most incredible Derby hats from across the Internet. Some of them are questionable while others are beautiful, but they're all undoubtedly suited for the Kentucky Derby.

Check out the amazing hats below!

Citations: Why Women Wear Hats at the Kentucky Derby (ABC News)