• Fashion consultant Jo Ross suggests embracing vibrant colors, with cobalt, pinks, and oranges being popular choices for the 2025 Kentucky Derby.
• Hats are a must-have accessory, with wide-brimmed hats and fascinators being traditional choices.
• When it comes to clothing, consider your seating location and opt for comfortable yet stylish options like sundresses, rompers, jumpsuits, or cocktail dresses.

Prepping your fashion by scouring the internet for “what to wear to the 2025 Kentucky Derby” is one way to gain inspiration for your ensemble. Or you can take an easier route with tips from a professional who truly knows her way around fashion at the track.

For more than three decades, Louisville-based fashion consultant Jo Ross has produced stunning results for women and men seeking advice on their Kentucky Derby wardrobe. A lifelong Kentuckian, Ross understands how Southern style is interpreted at the racetrack and intertwines this know-how with her experience as a regular at New York City’s iconic Fashion Week and Prêt a Porter in Paris. 

Simply put — seasoned Derby goers “dress to impress” as if they are attending an upscale garden party with mint juleps, horseracing and friends. This look is accomplished by pairing color, silhouette, accents, a stunning headpiece and the right pair of shoes. We’re not joking, shoes can mean a winning or losing day at the track and we promise to explain.

But first, to help you create your own standout outfit(s) for spring 2025, Ross met our team at the Oxmoor Bourbon Company, 720 Oxmoor Ave. This historic home several miles from Louisville is a first-of-its-kind historical tour and tasting experience at Kentucky’s famed Oxmoor Farm. Ross arrived with racks filled with must-have spring fashions from Von Maur and models Vanessa Thorton, Alexis Gregory and A’nya Winburn who where selected during our open model audition earlier this year.

More: Here are 3 outfit ideas and fashion tips for men for the 2025 Kentucky Derby

From breezy pleated sundresses to more ornate cocktail attire with sequins, ruffles and coordinating outfits for couples attending the races, Ross created multiple Kentucky Derby worthy ensembles showcasing this season’s silhouettes and colors but said your ensemble comes down to one prime piece of advice, no matter which year you attend the Kentucky Derby.  

“Derby is always colorful and so much fun and your fashion should reflect that mood,” Ross told the Courier Journal. “There are so many options, whether you choose to wear a dress, pantsuit, jumpsuit or romper. The key is to feel great in what you wear.”

So let’s get started. Here are five tips to help you perfect your winning outfit for this year’s Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby, held this year on May 2 and 3, respectively.

What colors will women wear to the 2025 Kentucky Derby?

Churchill Downs is awash in brilliant colors each spring. The week of the Kentucky Derby we see vibrant color in the racetrack’s landscape from the silks the jockeys wear as they race and the guests who flow through the gates.

With upward of 100,000 fans flooding through the gates at Churchill Downs each day of Kentucky Derby weekend, you’ll see just about every color under the sun.

“Color is again, the big story in 2025,” said Ross.”The dominant favorites are cobalt, pinks and oranges with a lot of multi-color bold prints.”

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If this is your first trip to the Kentucky Derby, you probably also have tickets to the Kentucky Oaks, which is held this year on Friday, May 2. Pink is the color of the day as the official flower of the Kentucky Oaks is the stargazer lily, the official drink is the Oaks Lily (also pink) and the official Survivors Parade celebrates breast and ovarian cancer survivors.

The following day is the “Run for the Roses” or the Kentucky Derby. The official flower of the Derby is the red rose and plenty of spectators dress in shades of red and floral patterns. But Derby Day is more of a free for all as far as color is concerned. Every color under the rainbow is game and that includes lots and lots of pink, again.

If bright bold colors aren’t your speed, Ross suggests an ensemble in traditional spectator colors, that’s black and white and navy and white. A long standing favorite at the racetrack spectator colors are always classic and look extra special accented with a splash of color in your hat, a scarf or jewelry.

Do I wear a hat to the 2025 Kentucky Derby?

Well, yes! Beautiful wide brimmed hats and fancy fascinators perched on a headband or elastic band are tradition at the Kentucky Derby. The big question is do you buy the hat first or your outfit? If you are working with a custom hat designer, they can create a hat to coordinate with your outfit. But many women buy their headpiece first and then find a dress, jumpsuit or romper that coordinates well with the colors and style of their hat.

More: Step inside Pix Shoes, Louisville’s best-kept secret for affordable Kentucky Derby hats

Which style of clothing do I wear to the 2025 Kentucky Derby?

A good starting point is understanding where you’ll be seated for the races. Some sections of the racetrack are more formal than others. For instance, if you are seated in the uncovered Grandstand you’ll need to dress to easily move about in the crowd and depending on the weather you may need to add a jacket or wrap or even a raincoat. Sundresses, rompers and jumpsuits are favorites in this section of Churchill Downs.

Indoor seating lends itself to being a bit more formal since you won’t need to be dressed to withstand the weather for six to eight hours.

“I am seeing a lot of feminine touches in 2025 collections such as ruffles, tiers, flounces, crochet, lace and chiffon adorn dresses,” said Ross. “You can also get away with sparkle by day by wearing a cocktail dress with sequins to the track.”

If you aren’t sure what the dress code is for the section of Churchill Downs where you are seated, you can read more at the Churchill Downs website, which details what is appropriate in each section of the track.

More: Fascinators to blazers: The ultimate guide to Kentucky Derby outfits for 2025

What are the hemline trends for fashion at the 2025 Kentucky Derby?

This is the easiest decision of all our Kentucky Derby fashion tips because it’s really whatever you are most comfortable wearing.

Ross said this year’s top trends are all over the map. “Lengths go from thigh high to ankle, with everything in between.”

So pick a dress length or style in which you’re most comfortable.

What type of shoes do I wear to the 2025 Kentucky Derby?

While you don’t need to sacrifice comfort for style, Ross does suggest prioritizing comfort as a day at the Churchill Downs Racetrack is long and you’ll spend a lot of time walking to get to your seat and meeting up with friends who may be seated in different sections of the venue.

You’ll thank us if you leave the stilettos at home and opt for a more stable wedge instead. Chunky heels and pretty sandals with low heels are another option. Some women will wear platform sneakers to Churchill Downs and everyone who has been to the races before knows to slip a pair of flip flops in your bag. Your feet will thank you at the end of the day.

Reach Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com or Twitter @kirbylouisville.