Hats off to the Derby! In 1875, when Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. founded the Kentucky Derby, horse racing was a rough affair in the United States. Clark and his wife sought to dignify and ennoble the race by inviting high society families and issuing a dress code. Hats were a necessary part of dress at the time, and the elegance of the attendees clothing was much noted in the press. The emphasis on hats as part of a coordinated outfit for the Derby lasted into the 1960s, when hat wearing fell off in the general public. But then, instead of disappearing, Derby hats became a singular force, with flamboyant toppers for women and men a main attraction at the race. With ebbs and flows, the tradition has continued, and even increased in recent years. This week of the 145th running of the famous horse race, the VFG celebrates Derby hats with the most splendid hats from all eras available in our shops.
Vintage 1980s Mr. John Classic Large Straw Hat With Floral Spray Vintage 1950s Black Straw Cartwheel Hat With White Roses From Our Sold Archives Vintage 1980s Ruth Kropveld Chapeau Creations Wide Brim Straw Hat Silk Rose Vintage 1970s Jack McConnell Straw Hat Red Feather One of a Kind My Vintage Clothes Line on Ruby Lane https://www.rubylane.com/shop/myvintageclothesline
1980s Adolfo II Straw Hat Wide Brim Lattice Black & White 1930s Garden Party Hat Red Straw Wide Brim 1940s Vintage Wide Brim Hat by Laddie Northridge - Pink Straw 1980s Wide Brim Black Polka Dot Hat with Red Rose 1970s Hat Derby Riding Style Blue Straw Steampunk
Vintage Hat Church Lady Hat, Gold Polypropylene with Embellishments by Sylvia Sz 21 Vintage Hat Black Sequinned Beaded Extreme Church Lady Wide Brim by Hi Sz 22 Vintage Hat Bright Yellow Extreme Wide Split Brim Sz 22 1/2
1960s Natural Straw Cartwheel Hat with Giant Patent Leather Bow 1960s Mr. John Checkerboard Cello Straw Wide-Brimmed Sun Hat Two from my SOLD archives... 1960s Joseph Magnin Natural Straw Wide-Brimmed Hat with Silk Peonies 1960s Dale Kelly Custom Design Picture Hat with Silk Flowers
This circa 1912 hat was actually worn at the Kentucky Derby back when it was the latest style. Camille Roger, Paris. Ivory silk panne' plush boater with ostrich plumes, silk sash & carved mother-of-pearl buckle. From the SOLD Archives. And THIS hat is a 1990s Edwardian reproduction by English milliner Sandra Phillips.
1960s bucket hat 1960s red poppy hat 1940s ostrich feather hat 1960s breton style straw hat 1980s raffia hat
