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Go Big or Go Home: 5 Hats Perfect for That Derby Party

Stores & Shopping
Abby Ledoux
Author: Abby Ledoux
3 min.read
1Shire Derby Hat, $85 from <a href="https://tenthstreethats.com/">Tenth Street Hats</a>
This creation from the official Kentucky Derby hat maker, part of its Scala Collezione line, reminds us of Queen Elizabeth—if someone armed her milliner with a bedazzler. A Sinamay bow and matching quill add playful touches to otherwise structured elegance.
This creation from the official Kentucky Derby hat maker, part of its Scala Collezione line, reminds us of Queen Elizabeth—if someone armed her milliner with a bedazzler. A Sinamay bow and matching quill add playful touches to otherwise structured elegance.
2Shire Derby Hat, $85 from <a href="https://tenthstreethats.com/">Tenth Street Hats</a>
This creation from the official Kentucky Derby hat maker, part of its Scala Collezione line, reminds us of Queen Elizabeth—if someone armed her milliner with a bedazzler. A Sinamay bow and matching quill add playful touches to otherwise structured elegance.
This creation from the official Kentucky Derby hat maker, part of its Scala Collezione line, reminds us of Queen Elizabeth—if someone armed her milliner with a bedazzler. A Sinamay bow and matching quill add playful touches to otherwise structured elegance.
3Gigi Burris Millinery Pagalina Straw Boater, $1,200, from <a href="https://thewebster.us/shop/">The Webster</a>
If you watched this year’s Oscars, you’re already familiar with Gigi Burris: The New York City milliner had a viral moment when Mahershala Ali accepted the award for Best Supporting Actor while wearing one of her designs. She’s also behind luxury stunners like this hand-sculpted pheasant feather–embellished showpiece.
If you watched this year’s Oscars, you’re already familiar with Gigi Burris: The New York City milliner had a viral moment when Mahershala Ali accepted the award for Best Supporting Actor while wearing one of her designs. She’s also behind luxury stunners like this hand-sculpted pheasant feather–embellished showpiece.
4Gigi Burris Millinery Pagalina Straw Boater, $1,200, from <a href="https://thewebster.us/shop/">The Webster</a>
If you watched this year’s Oscars, you’re already familiar with Gigi Burris: The New York City milliner had a viral moment when Mahershala Ali accepted the award for Best Supporting Actor while wearing one of her designs. She’s also behind luxury stunners like this hand-sculpted pheasant feather–embellished showpiece.
If you watched this year’s Oscars, you’re already familiar with Gigi Burris: The New York City milliner had a viral moment when Mahershala Ali accepted the award for Best Supporting Actor while wearing one of her designs. She’s also behind luxury stunners like this hand-sculpted pheasant feather–embellished showpiece.
5Ballerina Tutu Top Hat, $240, from <a href="https://www.violetpeacock.com/">Violet Peacock</a>
If there’s ever a time to wear a full-on tutu on your head, it’s the Derby. This avant-garde, handmade-to-order confection from Houston-based, British-born designer Lindsay Halpin will ensure you stand out in any crowd.
If there’s ever a time to wear a full-on tutu on your head, it’s the Derby. This avant-garde, handmade-to-order confection from Houston-based, British-born designer Lindsay Halpin will ensure you stand out in any crowd.
6Ballerina Tutu Top Hat, $240, from <a href="https://www.violetpeacock.com/">Violet Peacock</a>
If there’s ever a time to wear a full-on tutu on your head, it’s the Derby. This avant-garde, handmade-to-order confection from Houston-based, British-born designer Lindsay Halpin will ensure you stand out in any crowd.
If there’s ever a time to wear a full-on tutu on your head, it’s the Derby. This avant-garde, handmade-to-order confection from Houston-based, British-born designer Lindsay Halpin will ensure you stand out in any crowd.
7Wendy Fascinator, $74, from <a href="https://www.pippaandpearl.com/">Pippa & Pearl</a>
A dreamy, wide-brimmed fascinator adds a touch of drama to any Derby ensemble, while netting, feathers, and mesh ribbons offer a vintage feel.
A dreamy, wide-brimmed fascinator adds a touch of drama to any Derby ensemble, while netting, feathers, and mesh ribbons offer a vintage feel.
8Wendy Fascinator, $74, from <a href="https://www.pippaandpearl.com/">Pippa & Pearl</a>
A dreamy, wide-brimmed fascinator adds a touch of drama to any Derby ensemble, while netting, feathers, and mesh ribbons offer a vintage feel.
A dreamy, wide-brimmed fascinator adds a touch of drama to any Derby ensemble, while netting, feathers, and mesh ribbons offer a vintage feel.
9Eugenia Kim Straw Sun Hat, $495 from <a href="https://www.neimanmarcus.com/">Neiman Marcus</a>
An oversized satin bow makes this textured sun hat equal parts chic and whimsical, and the rich jewel tone positively pops on a natural-straw backdrop.
An oversized satin bow makes this textured sun hat equal parts chic and whimsical, and the rich jewel tone positively pops on a natural-straw backdrop.
10Eugenia Kim Straw Sun Hat, $495 from <a href="https://www.neimanmarcus.com/">Neiman Marcus</a>
An oversized satin bow makes this textured sun hat equal parts chic and whimsical, and the rich jewel tone positively pops on a natural-straw backdrop.
An oversized satin bow makes this textured sun hat equal parts chic and whimsical, and the rich jewel tone positively pops on a natural-straw backdrop.

Second only to a royal wedding, the Kentucky Derby is the time for the hat—that oft-forgotten accessory—to really shine. Exaggerated toppers are nearly as synonymous with Derby Day as the horses are, so if you’re planning to watch the races on May 4, don’t go bare-headed. Find your favorite floppy sun hat or fanciful fascinator, and voilà. Just add pearls and a Mint Julep.

Published in the The Houstonia Guide to Gulf Coast Beaches issue of Houstonia Mag.




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Abby Ledoux
Abby Ledoux
Abby Ledoux traded Canada’s border for Mexico’s when she moved to Texas from northwestern Vermont in November 2017 to join the staff at Houstonia. An alumna of Emerson College’s journalism program in Boston, Abby was previously associate editor of three weekly newspapers in her home state of Vermont. There, she covered everything from Bernie Sanders to the heroin epidemic and won numerous state and regional awards for her work, including the Vermont Press Association’s 2014 Rookie of the Year. She was also an investigative reporting fellow at the New England First Amendment Coalition. Today, Abby is excited to explore Houston’s vibrant, diverse culture (and shopping scene). Aside from fashion and design, she’s passionate about politics, hip hop and Mexican food. She believes leopard is a neutral and red lipstick can fix almost anything.