Wackiest Hats at the Kentucky Derby Horse Races

Since 1875, sophisticates have attended the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Kentucky, to sip mint juleps, cheer on their favorite racehorses and, oh, who we are kidding? The Kentucky Derby is all about the hats.

The Derby hats tradition dates back to the beginning of the horse race, when founder Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. recruited high-society women to wear their finest headpieces to the event. It was an effort to restyle the racetrack into a place of class instead of boozy illegality.

Over the years, more people — both women and men — began going bigger and, well, weirder with their horse-race hat choices, leading to some truly imaginative creations. From a crown of straws to a stuffed-animal tableau to a bird-adorned pinwheel, these hats are next-level wacky. And next-level fabulous.

This spectator abides by that old adage: Keep your friends close and your mannequin heads closer.

From the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs on May 7, 2016, in Louisville. 

The next time a clown comes to your child’s birthday party, ask them to make you a horse-themed balloon hat — so your Derby hat can be as cool as this.

From the 137th Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 7, 2011, in Louisville. 

Ironically, the wearer of this hat is not using a straw for her drink.

From the 137th Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 7, 2011, in Louisville. 

Now that’s how you make an entrance.

From the infield before the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 7, 2016, in Louisville.