Kentucky Derby

Kentucky Derby fans find fashion inspiration from Prince, ‘The Mask’ and online

By Brian Simms Amy Wallot

Updated May 7, 2022 4:03 PM

Fashion was back on full display at Derby Day after being downsized for two years due to the COVID pandemic.

With track attendance at full capacity, glamorous hats, sparkling shoes and dapper attire once again filled Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby.

Most fans at the Louisville racetrack said they bought their outfits online, enabling them to save some money.

Their clothing inspirations came from online, too, and the color yellow seemed to be a popular theme.

Nicolette Rockwell wears rose petal inspired earrings she purchased from Etsy at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. The back of her fascinator featured a Secretariat pin with roses. She said her hair was inspired by a look she found on Pinterest and she stayed frugal and purchased her entire outfit for under $200. — Nicolette Rockwell wears rose petal inspired earrings she purchased from Etsy at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. The back of her fascinator featured a Secretariat pin with roses. She said her hair was inspired by a look she found on Pinterest and she stayed frugal and purchased her entire outfit for under $200. Amy Wallot awallot@outlook.com

Marcus Stevenson, from Houston, wears a matching feather bow tie and boutonniere at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. — Marcus Stevenson, from Houston, wears a matching feather bow tie and boutonniere at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. Amy Wallot awallot@outlook.com

Aaron Megel, from Indianapolis, poses for a picture In an outfit inspired by Jim Carrey’s movie “The Mask” at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. — Aaron Megel, from Indianapolis, poses for a picture In an outfit inspired by Jim Carrey’s movie “The Mask” at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. Amy Wallot awallot@outlook.com

Britany and Gerald Prince, from Dallas, people watch at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. Britany’s orange fascinator came from The Hat Girls. — Britany and Gerald Prince, from Dallas, people watch at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. Britany’s orange fascinator came from The Hat Girls. Amy Wallot awallot@outlook.com

Alivia McSherry, 9, looks around as she enters Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. She wore a couture dress and a hat made by her grandmother for her first derby. — Alivia McSherry, 9, looks around as she enters Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. She wore a couture dress and a hat made by her grandmother for her first derby. Amy Wallot awallot@outlook.com

Otis Bollinger, from North Carolina, wears kelly green to match his mom, Maria, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. — Otis Bollinger, from North Carolina, wears kelly green to match his mom, Maria, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. Amy Wallot awallot@outlook.com

Rebecca Holwerda, from Indianapolis, wears a red had and fascinator with a yellow off the shoulder, ankle-length at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. “Yellow makes me happy,” she said. — Rebecca Holwerda, from Indianapolis, wears a red had and fascinator with a yellow off the shoulder, ankle-length at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. “Yellow makes me happy,” she said. Amy Wallot awallot@outlook.com

Maria Dasigo, from Hawaii, chose a blue and yellow outfit to show support for Ukraine at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. She hemmed the dress and used the extra material to add to the flower on the dress. — Maria Dasigo, from Hawaii, chose a blue and yellow outfit to show support for Ukraine at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. She hemmed the dress and used the extra material to add to the flower on the dress. Amy Wallot awallot@outlook.com

Kristen Piazza, from Tampa, poses for a picture in her unicorn hat with Nick Hansen, Chris Koeverly, Jeremy Hutchinson and Jon Hansen at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. She made the had herself after seeing a similar one a few years ago. The men’s suits were all by Loudmouth. — Kristen Piazza, from Tampa, poses for a picture in her unicorn hat with Nick Hansen, Chris Koeverly, Jeremy Hutchinson and Jon Hansen at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. She made the had herself after seeing a similar one a few years ago. The men’s suits were all by Loudmouth. Amy Wallot awallot@outlook.com

Steven Tunnell wears velvet red and gold shoes to match his suit jacket with a print of red roses by Loudmouth at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. — Steven Tunnell wears velvet red and gold shoes to match his suit jacket with a print of red roses by Loudmouth at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. Amy Wallot awallot@outlook.com

Angie Bush wears a flowered dress at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. She said she found the dress for $70 an “it screamed Derby.” — Angie Bush wears a flowered dress at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. She said she found the dress for $70 an “it screamed Derby.” Amy Wallot awallot@outlook.com

Megan Schruber wears a fascinator she purchased from Amazon at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. — Megan Schruber wears a fascinator she purchased from Amazon at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. Amy Wallot awallot@outlook.com

Trevor Schruber wears a yellow tie with a green velour jacket at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. His wife, Megan, said the green was for “green money day.” — Trevor Schruber wears a yellow tie with a green velour jacket at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. His wife, Megan, said the green was for “green money day.” Amy Wallot awallot@outlook.com

Of course, big flowers were a look at Churchill Downs on Derby Day. — Of course, big flowers were a look at Churchill Downs on Derby Day. Lewis Gardner LEWIS GARDNER PHOTO

Lewis Gardner LEWIS GARDNER PHOTO

Paisley patterned jackets on Derby Day at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on Saturday May, 7, 2022. — Paisley patterned jackets on Derby Day at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on Saturday May, 7, 2022. Lewis Gardner LEWIS GARDNER PHOTO

Jennifer Ball, from Louisville, made a last minute purchase of rain boots at Target to wear at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. “I’m going to be comfy, I’m going to be happy and enjoy this derby to the finest,” she said. — Jennifer Ball, from Louisville, made a last minute purchase of rain boots at Target to wear at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. “I’m going to be comfy, I’m going to be happy and enjoy this derby to the finest,” she said. Amy Wallot awallot@outlook.com

A hat on a racing fan before the 148th Kentucky Derby, Saturday, May 07, 2022 at Churchill Downs in Louisville. — A hat on a racing fan before the 148th Kentucky Derby, Saturday, May 07, 2022 at Churchill Downs in Louisville. Lewis Gardner LEWIS GARDNER PHOTO

Marcus Bailey, from Dallas, wears a custom-made outfit in blue from Q Clothier at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. — Marcus Bailey, from Dallas, wears a custom-made outfit in blue from Q Clothier at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. Amy Wallot awallot@outlook.com

Janie Westcott of San Ramon, Calif., left, straightens Joe Conforto’s bow tie while his wife Michele, middle, smiles near the paddock at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on Saturday, May 7, 2022. Of the people who wore hats, you either went fancy or comical. — Janie Westcott of San Ramon, Calif., left, straightens Joe Conforto’s bow tie while his wife Michele, middle, smiles near the paddock at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on Saturday, May 7, 2022. Of the people who wore hats, you either went fancy or comical. Grace Ramey

This story was originally published May 7, 2022 at 2:08 PM.