Kentucky Derby Daze!

This Saturday marks the 136th annual Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, where the finest horses on the race circuit will compete for one of the highest honors.  Although betting and breeding is what the derby is centered around, the fashions, specifically the hats, can disrupt everyone's sight-line's.

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The derby is also a huge draw for celebrities and US politicians on top of having the history of being a "society" event.  

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NYC Real Housewife star Bethenny Frankel shows up her "skinny girl" figure in a pink seersucker jumpsuit.

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Gabrielle Union

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Kim Kardashian 

Nick Lachey and Vanessa Manillo

Our very own Melissa Hawks, Owner of The Well Appointed House at the Kentucky Derby, wearing a hat that she made for the event.

Getting the right derby look is easy the hard part is asking, what comes first, the hat or the sundress?

Derby Dressing by gkatz featuring Jimmy Choo shoes

Items in this set:
Knotted cutout silk-blend dress, $675
Jacquetta stripe dress, $530
Parker backless mini dress, $250
Jimmy Choo hot pink strappy leather 'Poppy' sandals, $900
Fluorescent Yellow Strappy Sandals, $350

After putting these looks together, the answer is definitely hat. To achieve that Southern Bell look we suggest not being afraid to use color, color, color. Even with the neutral Steven Allan dress and brown hat, the neon strappy sandals give it a little punch. The top print trends for Spring/Summer are ikat, tye-die and stripes, which is why we love these dresses so much; they are current but still classic and conservative in their shapes. Perfect for this type of event.

derby daze by gkatz featuring Manolo Blahnik shoes

Items in this set:
Candia woven mini dress, $705
Adriana silk rows tank - J.Crew, $70
Striped cotton skirt, $165
Coddila - Teal, $895
Badgley Mischka 'Randi' Sandal, $215

For a little bit of a younger, edgier look to your derby dressing we suggest a more contemporary floppy hat alternative, like the straw fedora or ornate headband from ban.do.  For an event like this where everyone will be wearing some form of headpiece its a great way to set yourself apart.  It seems that the early Spring is the season for the hat! Read more about the Central Park Conservancy's Luncheon here, where hats are anything but optional.  For those of you not attending the Derby there are still ways to outfit your home in the finest derby decor dudes that are out there.  Here are some of our favorites.

Derby Accessories by gkatz on Polyvore.com

Items in this set:
The Well Appointed House by Melissa Hawks. Set of Ten Black and White..., $5,250
The Well Appointed House by Melissa Hawks. The Horses Julep Cup, $525
The Well Appointed House by Melissa Hawks. Devon Tureen, $370
Devon Equestrian Dinner Plates with Horses - Set of Four, $305
Devon Salad Plates with Horses-Set of Four, $275

When it comes to serving up mint juleps there is no other way to serve them than in our heirloom quality Horse Julep cups. This special occasion cup serves up cocktails in style and reaffirms the genteelness of this event. For serving up chips and dips, our equestrian platter is the end all. With a black helmet for the dip and a horse and bit border, this piece fits in perfectly with any equestrian themed room or holiday. Click each item for more information. Enjoy the Derby on Saturday and may the best horse win!

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