Here are the top fashion trends we saw at the Kentucky Derby Museum Hat Show

If we thought fashion at the Kentucky Derby was a bit over the top for the past 149 years, wait until you see what's in store for the 150th Run for the Roses.

The five featured milliners we chatted with Sunday afternoon at the 2024 Kentucky Derby Museum Hat Show all agree the excitement leading up to the 150th Kentucky Derby, which is being held on May 4, has sent race fan fashion into overdrive. In fact, more than specific colors or hat sizes, the one overriding trend in 2024 is the customer's focus on "getting it right."

"There is so much excitement that it's like a second Christmas for a lot of customers," Christine A. Moore, a Kentucky Derby Museum featured milliner and owner of CAM Hats, told the Courier Journal. "This year my customers are being very particular, they want everything about their Derby outfit to be perfect in a way that I have never experienced in my 20-plus years of making hats and fascinators for the Kentucky Derby."

Before the annual hat show kicked off inside the Kentucky Derby Museum, guests got busy in the Museum's Oak Terrace browsing the hat collections, sipping champagne, and getting expert advice from the five milliners taking part in the event.

"People are going all out this year with their outfits and their hats," said featured milliner Jenny Pfanenstiel. "They want every aspect of their outfit to look and feel spectacular and they are starting earlier than usual to ensure they get it right."

In addition, the owner of Formé Millinery Co. and The Hat Shoppe told the Courier Journal women are buying bigger hats and fascinators in 2024 and men aren't skimping either.

"Everyone has to wear a hat to the 150th Kentucky Derby," she said. "Many guys coordinate with the person they are going to the races with by adding a colored ribbon or feathers to their straw fedora. You've really got to wear a hat this year if you're a man."

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Bright pink, orange, purple, green and blue were prominent in the Derbyologie collection, which also features embellishments in gold. Featured milliner Mary Julia Kaiser said in past years customers started putting together their Derby outfits after Easter but this year, they started ordering in early March. They are also looking for pieces outside of their comfort zone.

"I feel like people are more courageous this year and willing to push their limits," Kaiser told the Courier Journal. "I have been including gold accents in many of my fascinators and customers love it. I think because it's the 150th Derby a lot of people are willing to take risks."

The same is true for customers of Mad Hatter 502, another featured milliner of the Kentucky Derby Museum.

"I'd say customers are looking for more bling this year so metallic accents are big but the color red is also prominent," said Melissa Huff, owner of Mad Hatter 502 and Mamili, a clothing boutique in the NuLu neighborhood. "After all, it's the 150th Run for the Roses and red is the color of the day."

Another important trend in the 2024 headpiece is apparent in the Hat Doctor's collection. Ilana Kogan uses crystal and pearl details in her pieces along with vintage materials and embroidery.

"I want my pieces to look sculptural and beautiful with a face-framing look, "the featured milliner said." Because at the end of the day when your face is framed and shining, everyone looks gorgeous."

If you weren't able to attend the Kentucky Derby Museum Hat Show, you can still look spectacular for the historic running of the 150th Kentucky Derby. Pieces from the five featured milliners will be available in the Kentucky Derby Museum's Gift Shop, 704 Central Ave.

"A bigger year, bigger hats, bigger everything," Pfanenstiel said. "I think this year everything is more — it's more showing up and showing out, more than ever."

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

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky Derby hat ideas from the 2024 Kentucky Derby Museum Hat Show