The Kentucky Derby is one of the most exciting sporting events on the U.S. calendar, with hundreds of thousands of visitors passing throughout the gates at Churchill Downs annually to witness the action live.
The 2026 edition of the opening leg of the Triple Crown is just weeks away, meaning that many bettors are beginning to study the former winners, found here to identify key trends that could pinpoint a winner:
twinspires.com/kentuckyderby/results/
However, for those that attend, the day is as much about the fashion as it is about the stars on track. But, what is the race day fashion at the Derby, and could it impact the trends for style in 2026?
Kentucky Derby Headwear
Hats are a long-standing tradition for a day at the races, with the American fan base picking up the accessory from European equine events such as Royal Ascot and the Epsom Derby.
It wasn't until the early 20th century that hats became the must-have at the Kentucky Derby, with headwear being a single of the elite, with large and elaborate designs being prominent across Churchill Downs.
However, a change in size would come about in the 1960s, with many Racegoers instead opting for more relaxed headwear, with female visitors using the accessory as an opportunity to show their creativity and expressive nature. Importantly for some, wearing a hat to the races is widely considered to bring good luck, especially at Churchill Downs on Derby Day.
Trends for 2026
An expressive selection of headwear is expected at Churchill Downs once again in 2026, meaning that those that are attending the race in-person have already began to put together their outfits.
The traditional big hats are no longer in fashion, with the trends indicating that fascinators and customised headwear is more likely. Customisation has become incredibly popular with those wearing hats, allowing visitors to get creative with flowers and patterns to ensure that they standout from the crowd.
For male visitors, fedoras and bowler hats are most common in this modern day, with the former being a preferred option if the weather conditions are on the warmer side.
Kentucky Derby Fashion
Putting together an outfit fitting for Kentucky Derby Day is often a long process for those attending, with thousands typically spending hours of research to ensure that they find the right balance between style and class.
The fashion at the Derby has changed throughout history, with the founding era typically seeing women following the trends from racing in the United Kingdom, with elaborate dresses with hats and gloves being prominent. However, drastic changes came to fashion on Derby Day during the 1920s, with flapper dresses and feathered headbands being popular selections.
For male visitors, tailored suits were the order of the day. Fashion changed once again during the 50s, with women typically wearing petti-coat style skirts, before louder and more extravagant outfits were typical throughout the 60s.
Trends for 2026
Based on recent editions of the Kentucky Derby, there are likely to be no wrong answers when putting together outfits for the 2026 race.
Some Racegoers will be colourful and expressive with their outfits, while others will look to keep it simpler with darker shades. One trend that looks to have faded out is gloves, with many female visitors typically overlooking this accessory in favour of hats.
A common theme in recent editions of the Derby has been the introduction of bright colours to ensure that visitors standout from the crowd. Shades of yellow and blue are common throughout the raceday at Churchill Downs, both with male and female visitors.
Influencers at the Racing
A growing trend within horse racing is the increase in influencers at the track. This was visible throughout the build up to the 2025 Kentucky Derby, with Griffin Johnson being interviewed on a number of occasions by NBC.
The social media star has amassed a huge 1.6 million followers on X and 9.7 million on TikTok, and he captured moments behind the scenes with his runner Sandman before the race at Churchill Downs. This is likely a major plus in the long-term success of racing, with influencers having the ability to take the sport to a new audience. Therefore, it shouldn't be surprising that last year's Derby saw record wagering and viewership figures since 1989.
Johnson is by no means the only name making waves in this sector, with high-profile influencers such as Alex Cooper and Alix Earle also sharing their experiences at the track. The sheer number of younger fans at the racing has created a Coachella-like fixation on Derby Day, which has led to a slight shift from the focus being on the track to the pageantry experience of being at the horse racing. But, attracting a younger demographic should be considered a positive for the sport.
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