talk derby to me

Back in college my best bitties and I celebrated what we called hat night. It was Britney’s hay day and the height of our obsession with her. In an homage to her style, we would parade ourselves to the bars wearing those page boy looking hats that she was so fond of.  We were not aware of the only one hat per group rule (which is a total fun governor rule btw), but we were aware that we were the coolest people ever. I never lost my enthusiasm for hats, but my taste in hats (and most things) thankfully evolved. We still love Brit. Obvi.

So, it shouldn’t come as a shock that I LOVE the Kentucky Derby and all the pageantry that goes with it. Actually, it is just the pageantry that I love. Each year my stunning friend Lindsey and her handsome hubby throw an amazing party. Festive attire isn’t required, but very strongly encouraged. We eat Kentucky fried chicken, throw back mint juleps, and then take the train out to Arlington Race track for some fun in the sun. It’s not Churchill Downs, but it’ll do. Most importantly we ALL wear hats. Obviously, I use this party as an excuse to craft an over the top outfit from thrifted items. I literally hunt ALL YEAR to dress myself (and my best bitties) for this event.

You can, and people do, spend hundreds of dollars on a hat that you only wear once. I’m not saying that they aren’t worth it – many of them are one of a kind pieces of art. I’m just saying that I prefer the thrifty and crafty route – when do I not?
This year I hit the hat jackpot while hunting just a few short weeks from the party. I came across a white wide brimmed saucer hat in perfect condition. It was one of those rare moments where you find exactly what you’re looking for in a thrift store. Typically, I’m up all hours of the night burning the fire out of my fingers with a hot glue gun attaching feathers, jewels or flowers to my hat. This year I decided to keep it simple. Partly because my hat is fab on it’s own, and partly because I now spend my nights keeping a tiny human alive.

I paired my larger than life hat with my thrifted ABS navy and white striped dress that is very kind to my post baby bod. On my toesies I wore my thrifted Jessica Simpson nude patent leather pumps. I carried my vintage kelly green leather coach shoulder bag. The result? A head to toe Hunt Shop outfit, that I absolutely love, for 26 dollars.

My hubby sported a thrifted thrifted navy blazer and Chicago Yacht Club belt, and my miniature human donned a thrifted blue and white seersucker hat. It’s not shown here, because I lost it pretty much immediately upon leaving the house. It was 25 cents, so whatevs.

I scooped up two more derby worthy hats leading up to the party. The first was a diva black trumpet hat worn my very diva friend, loyal THS customer and model, Erin. The second was a classic saw wide brim sun hat. Helen, my super serious business partner, rocked this one with a thrifted TO DIE FOR Diane Von Furstenberg shirt dress. We had zero fun.