Dressing for the Kentucky Derby
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Illustration by Ted Slampyak
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{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Also applicable if you happen to find yourself in the unfortunate position of attending an Ole Miss football game.
I will rocking the ‘go-to’ look tomorow at the Kentucky Oaks. My only concern is the heat. It’s going to be a warm one.
I think an illustrated dress code for the Kentucky Derby INFIELD would be just as fun.
If you’re on horseback talking to someone and they’re on the ground, dismount. It ain’t polite to talk down to people. (from “Cowboy Etiquette” by Texas Bix Bender)
As a younger man in his mid 20s, I must say, being young doesn’t give you the right to dress casually to an event. Grow the $%^& up, and at least wear a button down with your sport coat. Polo shirts are for summer cookouts in your back yard.
@Bob… In other words, “Get off your high horse”.
I must agree wholeheartedly with Collin. Not to mention that wearing a sport coat (open, no less) over a polo just seems like a terrible clash of dress and casual.
Where’s the illustration for the shorts, t-shirt and flip-flops option?
I kid, of course.
It’s funny, I’m 19 and going to my first Derby this weekend myself. I was just googling yesterday about what to wear and went to the official Kentucky Derby website. They show a pic just like the “younger man casual,” and that’s what I decided to go with. So straight from the horse’s mouth! I think it’s a nice look for someone my age. Not too stuffy. Too many people on this site think you have to look like a nerd even when you’re young.
http://www.kentuckyderby.com/content/derby-attire
It’s the second pic in the slideshow.
I used to think really rich people got dressed up to go to the track. Then I actually went to the track…
Let’s just say it’s about as far removed from high society as you can get.
@Jeremy,
If at an Ole Miss football game, I believe decorum dictates a flask of bourbon smuggled into the game, yes? Bourbon or other similar numbing agent. Oh, and bring double when playing Texas A&M. Those guys are insufferable. Thanks for taking them off the Big XII’s hands. No give-backs.
Dressing for the Indianapolis 500:
1. Flip flops
2. Cut-off jean shorts with holes
3. Tank top with a generic American flag or bald eagle design (although wearing a shirt is optional).
@Chris: Not downing the casual look, but what do you mean by “people… think you have to look like a nerd even when you’re young?” Young men dressing like we have money and 9-to-5s whether we do or not isn’t nerdy; it’s swag.
Modern polos and sportcoats do not look good together.
Chris, that picture also shows a kid with his collar popped. One of the most important rules in learning how to dress is to ignore fashion advice from someone who pops their collar.
The fact that you refer to looking employable as dressing like a nerd shows that you have a long way to go.
Collin, Robert, and David sound like total P@ssies
Robert, I have to say I disagree with you last point. Sport coats are perfectly appropriate to with a polo shirt IF: 1) the sport coat in question is of a light material, not tweed or wool and 2) that it is an event like a garden party or outdoor brunch. I do think it should be closed by the middle button (3 button) or top (2 button) just to give it shape as it won’t have much (because it is light weight). If styled properly it can look very nice. However I do agree that it is not the look for the derby.
My usual “go-to” to look (for summer) consists of light colored, flat front trousers, white Oxford, and black and white herringbone sport coat (cotton but impeccable), and a bow tie. I’m 19 so I think that would work for “younger man casual”.
Why isn’t this called, “How to dress every day of summer!”
It’s too bad the Kentucky Derby doesn’t follow the tradition of the Royal Ascot, where the gentlemen sport morning dress, which is probably the classiest style possible.
Or linen suit, white shirt, blue gingham check tie with bar, white cotton pocket square, and loafers, no belt.
are these outfits interchangeable? could you wear a straw hat with a madras/navy sport coat instead? or spectators with afore mentioned coats? could you wear a regular tie with madras?
As a young man, I would definitely wear a button down instead of a polo for the younger look.
@Pavegs Sadly, the typical American has NO clue what morning dress is. Then again Americans wear evening dress (“tuxedos”) for afternoon weddings.
The seersucker (any color) or natural white cotton-linen blend suit would be my choice. I have a two-piece seersucker in the most common blue-on-white stripe and a C-crown fedora-shape panama hat with the two-tone brown wing tip with ivory mesh ventilator shoes. I depart, however, with the tie. Some guys are iconoclastic and even courageous enough enough to wear a bow tie and I sort of like and admire that — in others. Even though I’m slender and have the requisite slender face, I don’t do bow ties. I wear one of my wide (over 3 1/2 inches wide) neckties and a pocket square with the seersucker.
I’d love to get a copy of this print. I’ve thrown a large party for almost ten years and I’d love to have this a part of my decor.
Let me know
Thanks
Marge