Next up: Festival Stakes Day, Sat 28 Nov
You are invited · Wed 28 Apr 2027
Churchill Downs, Louisville, United States
Churchill Downs pairs Winsday with 502'sDay for bold patterns, more colour and texture and creative styling; the Style Under the Spires contest had a bold-pattern theme in 2026.
what to wear
Churchill Downs' own wording: 'The Kentucky Derby has a dress code that encourages guests to wear upscale attire' - typically hats for women and suits or dresses. No written rules for Infield / general admission were found on the official pages (read 2026-11-13). 'The higher up you go in the clubhouse, the dressier the attire.'
Encouraged
Same official wording: upscale attire encouraged, no written rules for Infield / general admission found (read 2026-11-13). The club suggests navy or seersucker blazers, bold trousers, light fabrics, dress shirt with tie or bow tie, loafers; hats (Panama, fedora, bowler, flat cap) are optional: 'don't feel like hats are required'.
Encouraged
Churchill Downs featured milliners (named on the official What to Wear page): Christine A. Moore (New York), Jenny Pfanenstiel of Forme Millinery (Louisville), The Hat Girls (Louisville). No single 'official milliner'; the 2027 line-up had not been announced when read.
Louisville, late April / early May: about 11-23 C, changeable; rain is common and the Derby runs rain or shine. Pack a wrap and rain cover.
where you are standing
No written dress code found on the official pages read (read 2026-11-13); the club only says upscale attire is encouraged. Secondary guides all describe the Infield as having no formal code.
Listed on churchilldowns.com 'What to Expect' (read 2026-11-13). This is the year-round chart; the page tells guests to check each seating area's own Do's and Don'ts.
Track Casual (Churchill Downs chart): jackets and blazers optional; vests, collared shirts, sweaters, dresses, pantsuits, dress jeans, dress shorts, slacks, golf shorts and capris are appropriate. Not permitted: worn or torn garments, crop or midriff tops, athletic wear, swim wear, frayed or torn denim, flip-flops.
Track Casual (Churchill Downs chart): jackets and blazers optional; vests, collared shirts, sweaters, dresses, pantsuits, dress jeans, dress shorts, slacks, golf shorts and capris are appropriate. Not permitted: worn or torn garments, crop or midriff tops, athletic wear, swim wear, frayed or torn denim, flip-flops.
Roses Lounge becomes Business Casual in Derby Week, Mother's Day, Preakness and Belmont days, Thanksgiving and the Clark.
Smart Casual (Churchill Downs chart): jackets and blazers optional; vests, collared shirts, sweaters, dresses, pantsuits, dress jeans, dress shorts and slacks are appropriate. Not permitted: cargo shorts, t-shirts, crop or midriff tops, athletic wear, swim wear, frayed or torn denim or shorts, tennis shoes.
Smart Casual (Churchill Downs chart): jackets and blazers optional; vests, collared shirts, sweaters, dresses, pantsuits, dress jeans, dress shorts and slacks are appropriate. Not permitted: cargo shorts, t-shirts, crop or midriff tops, athletic wear, swim wear, frayed or torn denim or shorts, tennis shoes.
Turf Club members must tell guests the policy before arrival.
Business Casual (Churchill Downs chart and 2026 Turf Club booklet): jackets and blazers, vests, shirts with collars, sweaters, dresses, pantsuits, slacks and capri pants are appropriate. Not permitted: jeans/denim, shorts, t-shirts, crop or midriff tops, athletic wear, swim wear, flip-flops. Does not apply to children under 12 (encouraged). Dress jeans allowed only for working members of the equine industry.
Business Casual (Churchill Downs chart and 2026 Turf Club booklet): jackets and blazers, vests, shirts with collars, sweaters, dresses, pantsuits, slacks and capri pants are appropriate. Not permitted: jeans/denim, shorts, t-shirts, crop or midriff tops, athletic wear, swim wear, flip-flops. Does not apply to children under 12 (encouraged). Dress jeans allowed only for working members of the equine industry.
Not covered on any official page we could read (read 2026-11-13). Secondary sources say jacket required and 'Derby-formal in practice'. Treat as unverified.
Check the official details before you go: churchilldowns.com ↗
for the day
Wendy Scully Millinery
Pink Tweed Fabric Percher
$285
Wendy Scully Millinery
Teal Green Silk Flower Headpiece
$244
Elliatt
Katarina Short Sleeve Midi Dress in Pastel Multi
$278
Elliatt
Emelda Halter Midi Dress in Blue Floral
$268
Beginning Boutique
Rosalia Aqua Strappy Peep Toe Wedge
$69.99
SHEIKE
KIANA HEEL
$79.99
Jin Dian
Maisie Floral Shoulder Bag in Pink Sequin
$59.95
BB Exclusive
Quinta Burgundy Bow Sequin Bag
$69.99
save the date
majorFri 13 Nov 2026
Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club, Sakhir (Riffa)
Bahrain's Group 1 night and the kingdom's main social race meeting. The Bahrain Turf Club publishes no dress code; national dress or smart, modest evening wear is the norm.
majorFri 13 Nov 2026
Addington Raceway, Christchurch
The Friday public-holiday harness meeting of Cup Week: a dressed-up crowd, looser than Cup Day.
