How to Get a Custom Hat for the Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby is a celebrated part of horse racing's distinguished Triple Crown. As horse-racing tradition dictates, women honor the gravity of the event by donning large and fantastical hats. You can join in the fun when you get a custom-made hat to wear to the race.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Measuring tape

Gather Creative Ideas

1. Visit the Kentucky Derby Museum to see the hats that have won the annual hat competition. The exhibit is located in the first exhibition hall, which is near Gate 1 of Churchill Downs.
2. Take a trip to the annual Hat Parade. The Hat Parade is held on the first Saturday in May. Women don their hats and mill around the field at Churchill Downs and in the Clubhouse and Paddock areas. The most outlandish hats are usually seen on the field.
3. Check out a huge variety of Kentucky Derby hats on display at the Courier-Journal of Kentucky website (see Resources below). Feathered, veiled and gravity-defying hats are all available for you to see.

Find the Right Milliner

4. Look for a milliner to make your Kentucky Derby hat at ApparelSearch.com (see Resources below).
5. Ask each custom hat maker for his qualifications. You want one who has completed schooling and accumulated some years in the millinery business.
6. Choose a custom hat maker who has a gallery of hats he has created for the Kentucky Derby.
7. Ask about the construction and pricing of hats you admire. Many hat makers charge extra for hats with a lot of accessories, such as feathers, veils and beading.
8. Provide the milliner with your hat size. To get your hat size, simply take a tape measure and wrap it around the part of your head on which you would like the hat to sit. Write down the measurement.

Tips & Warnings

• Measure your hat size slightly higher on your head if you want to get a hat with a large, loose brim. This is because the brim will hang down into your face somewhat.
• Choose a Kentucky Derby hat that extends slightly beyond your shoulders. Milliners suggest that this will help ensure that your hat suits your body frame.
• Insure your custom hat against damage during shipping.