The top 5 fashion trends for men, women we spotted at the KDF Spring Fashion Show

As we dive head first into Kentucky Derby season, it's tradition to spend an evening immersed in the emerging fashions of spring, which is how hundreds of enthusiastic fans of fashion and the Kentucky Derby spent their Thursday evening when they attended The Kentucky Derby Festival Dillard's Spring Fashion Show.

First produced in 1990, the theme for the 2024 runway show was "In The Millinery Metaverse."

"Our goal was to uplift the audience and inspire everyone to have fun with fashion and celebrate the festival, Derby 150, and life in general," show producer Christine Fellingham told the Courier Journal. "It's a road map for getting dressed for the life you want to lead and the Derby experience you want to have."

The show, which was held at Caesars Southern Indiana, has become a "must-attend" fashion-forward experience with tickets selling out weeks in advance.

Professional models walked the runway in clothing trends and accessories from Dillard's and Dillard’s MenGeneration Tux local boutiques including Mamili, Sapphire on Spring Boutique, That Cute Little Shop, The Lovely Fig, and The Urban Market.

And because it's Derby season, every scene of this fashion extravaganza included the must-have accessory for any Kentucky Derby outfit — a hat.

From the "Southern Belle" style Kentucky Derby hat to extravagant, show-stopping headpieces, The Hat Girls. topped off the spring fashions with more than 100 hand-crafted hats and fascinators. Rachel Carroll and Kate Smith, a.k.a. The Hat Girls, have their hands full in 2024 as the official milliners for the Kentucky Derby Festival and the 150th Kentucky Derby.

As models of all ages and sizes walked the runway, there was a lot of fashion of which to keep track. To help make sense of it all, here are five stand-out trends we saw at this year's Kentucky Derby Festival Dillard's Spring Fashion Show.

Fashion nostalgia kicks off KDF Dillard's Spring Fashion Show

What goes around definitely comes back around. Pink denim pantsuits, Pucci-inspired prints, and whimsical oversized pleats — the Kentucky Derby Festival Dillard's Spring Fashion show brought back some of the best trends from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s — with a modern twist.

Think staples like baby tees, rhinestones, mini bags, puffed sleeves, maxi, mini, and midi length hemlines, and lots of psychedelic prints. This season's vibrant time capsule of fashion also includes long opera gloves and large hats, a perfect pairing for the Kentucky Derby.

Ultra-girly aesthetics take center stage at KDF Dillard's Spring Fashion Show

Back in vogue are bows on clutches, earrings, kitten heels, and wide-brimmed hats. Applications of lace, toned-down hues, and flowing fabrics are also part of this 2024 hyperfeminine trend.

For the spring of 2024, pink and lacy details are in, as are bows, pastels, and floral prints. Botanicals are always chic at the Kentucky Derby but this spring, additional trends like bows and ruffles are bigger and more abundant than we've seen in past years.

What colors are trending for the 150th Kentucky Derby outfits?

Sophisticated black and white and navy and white are traditional spectator color combinations for the racetrack. In 2024, black and white is front and center as a chic palate to accent with pops of color. Pink, a perennial favorite returns in abundance. Should we thank "Barbie?"

Also trending as accent colors for spring 2024 are lavender, purple, canary yellow, powder blue, rich blue, and pistachio green. This pastel shade of green looks soft and flattering against a wide range of skin tones.

Sequins, metallics and sparkles are in for the 150th Kentucky Derby

Sequins for the day, why not? The vintage jazz look is gaining serious attention this year. Think sparkly wide-leg pants, cocktail and floor-length dresses, bell-sleeve sweaters, and blinged-out corsets. Plus, why not toss in some fringe for fun? Additionally, milliners are incorporating gold and metallic accents into their Kentucky Derby headpieces for 2024.

Now more of a staple than a trend, head-to-toe metallics are showing up in shimmering skirts, dresses, footwear, and tops, and what better time to shine than at the 150th Kentucky Derby?

Menswear outfits turn it up a notch for the 150th Kentucky Derby

We all know that on Kentucky Derby Day the guys put as much effort into their looks as the ladies. Fashions pulled from Dillard’s Men’s store included fabulous Kentucky Derby suits and even some elegant evening looks for him. Don't skimp on those top-notch accessories either!

Men are also coordinating their spring outfits with their companions as they head to the track. Blending in nicely with a woman's pink floral dress, a gentleman can add a patterned pink tie and pocket square to his navy or seersucker suit.

With so many options, it was easy to find a few key pieces at The Kentucky Derby Festival Dillard's Spring Fashion Show to transform your wardrobe and elevate your spring look from basic to stunning.

Happy Derby!

Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky Derby fashion trends for men, women KDF Spring Fashion Show