The Kentucky Derby has been the most prestigious racing event since 1875. Although the racing takes precedence at such events, there is a culture around hat-wearing, and over the years the event has seen some incredible headwear.
Kentucky Derby hats have become somewhat of an event itself, with many racegoers donning customs hats for the occasion. Of course, such showmanship is mostly amongst those with big bank accounts, and not afraid to show it. Which begs the question, how much does a Kentucky Derby hat cost? Well, put simply, the answer is as much as you want to spend.
Although hat-wearing started amongst women, it has seen many men covering their heads with outrageous hats, mostly ironically. Kentucky Derby hats have become a business in itself, with many forking out big sums to impress for the occasion. There is a lot of press around the head covering phenonium, and what hat can garner the most attention.
The elaborate hat-wearing has spilled over to social occasions set around the race, with many hosting hat derby parties to watch the racing from home.
That Most Expensive Kentucky Derby Hat
Buying a hat for the Kentucky Derby is a storied tradition, but it can be pricier than attending the event itself. It is not known what the most expensive hat worn to the event is, but the most expensive hat worn to racing even had a price tag of $3 million and was worn at the AAMI Victoria Derby Day, complete with diamonds and jewels.
How Much does a Kentucky Derby Hat Cost?
The average hat for the event is between $300 and $500, which is not cheap for something that is all style and no substance. However, for those looking to take it up a notch and get a custom hat created for the event, you could be looking at anything from $500-$1,000, which is far more than the cost of entry.
