What is the Kentucky Derby dress code?
Everyone likes to get dressed up for the Kentucky Derby, but what’s the dress code at Churchill Downs on Derby Day?
When you think about the Kentucky Derby, you think about horses, yes, but also, mint juleps, bourbon, generally, and big, fancy hats. The hats are often accompanied by spiffy, preppy dress — spring dresses, linen suits, lots of pastels, etc., etc. Which raises the question: What are the actual apparel requirements at Churchill Downs? What is the dress code at the Kentucky Derby?
Let’s get one thing out the way first: Hats are, not required, but highly, highly encouraged and, per the Derby, “there are no rules or limits when it comes to choosing your Derby hat.”
Anyways, the answer is there is no dress code and also there are three different dress codes. The Churchill Downs website says that there is no code for general admission, however, management reserves the right to deny entry. (Hmmm.) However, there is an elaborate chart outlining which areas are require business casual, smart casual or track casual.
Business casual — which calls for jackets, blazers, shirts with collars, dresses, pantsuits, slacks — is required for the Directors Room, Finish Line Suites, Finish Line Suites Balcony, Trophy Room, Turf Club, Turf Club Balcony, Turf Club Boxes and Turf Club Roses Lounge. (Jeans, shorts and athletic apparel are not welcome here, but apparently capri pants are fair.)
Smart casual, in which blazers are optional but shirt collars are still required and “dress jeans” are now welcome, is called for if you will be in the Derby Room, Grand Foyer, Jockey Club Suites, Oaks Room, Starting Gate Suites, Stakes Balcony, Stakes Room or Triple Crown Room.
Finally, “track casual” — you may here wear golf shorts and dress shorts, but athletic wear, torn denim and halter tops are still considered inappropriate — is the name of the game at the Angry Orchard Rose Club, Artistides Lounge, Champions Bar, Courtyard 118 and 119, Loft at the Aristides Lounge, Millionaire’s Row, Paddock Balcony, the Skye Terrace, Vineyard Vines Club and Winner Circle Suites.
(More details are available from Churchill Downs directly.)
As for what people wear — the unspoken dress code, if you will — the rule is, apparently, understated — so as to not take away from the splendor of your hat.
Next: 20 short stories about the 2018 Kentucky Derby horses
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