Now Hear This — Kentucky Derby Hats, Turbans and More Headwear to Swoon Over

With the temperate climate finally upon us, my mind shifts to spring and accessories. Accessories? you might ask. Yes, every season has little finishing touches that make us seemed pulled together.

In the winter months, it might be a ladylike pair of Prada gloves or a Fendi mink muffler to keep our hands warm during frigid temperatures. In the rainy fall, maybe we pull out our trusted Hunter wellies and Morton Salt Girl Burberry umbrella. In fact, if you want some style advice for rainy days, check out my suggestions.

For spring, I think of events like Dallas’ Mad Hatters Tea and Luncheon fundraiser or any number of horse racing events. I dream of going to the Kentucky Derby or better yet, Royal Ascot, escorting a girl channeling Audrey Hepburn from My Fair Lady in a gargantuan hat.

For this week’s Now Hear This PaperCity office question I asked my Dallas colleagues what hats they like to rock or fantasize about having the occasion to wear. These are hats that truly makes an entrance.

Christina Geyer, Dallas Editor-in-Chief

With apologies to fashion gurus everywhere, my favorite hat is not Kentucky Derby or Royal Ascot appropriate. Instead, my favorite hat has been and always will be a New York Yankees ball cap.

I have been a die-hard New York Yankees fan since childhood. My father was born on the East Coast and between him and my uncle, and late grandfather, I could root for no other team — especially not the Boston Red Sox.

So, if you see me around town running errands on the weekend, my workout gear is usually capped off (pun intended) with a New York Yankees hat.

Billy Fong, Culture and Style Editor

I’ve long been a fan of bucket hats. I have three versions from my favorite streetwear company, Stüssy. For some reason, I feel as though they act like a Klingon cloaking device and render me invisible. Perhaps it’s the exact opposite since wearing anything beyond a baseball cap in Dallas generally might garner more attention.

If you happen to see me in the near future rocking one of my bucket caps please ignore me so I can still believe that I am invisible.

Hillery Stack, Dallas Publisher

I was born for this question. Having graduated from the University of Virginia, I was fortunate enough to attend Foxfield Races, a steeplechase extravaganza in Charlottesville Virginia, many, many times (yes, my friends and I went back for Foxfield’s weekend even after graduation) as well as Steeplechase in Nashville. So between these two races, I acquired many fabulous hats.

While I have never been to the Kentucky Derby and this will be my first year attending Mad Hatter’s Tea, I am so excited to be donning a new hat. Inspired by Kate Middleton, I will be wearing a petal pink fascinator (purchased in London over New Year’s) and a floral dress that I found at Vintage Martini.

Whenever I go to the Kentucky Derby, you can bet I will be sourcing the most fabulous milliner here in Dallas.

Samantha Olquin, Sales Account Director and Director of Business Development

Love this question as the Kentucky Derby is on my bucket list and so is the derby hat game. I grew up in a family that loved and bred racehorses so this race was always the crème de la crème of them all. I have always dreamed of attending the Derby with my dream couture outfit and matching hat.

I found a Eugenia Kim on Net-A-Porter that made me swoon and now want to book a flight to Louisville stat. With the ivory dress and low cut back. Oh my, I want it all.

But if we are talking of hats, I must confess that my favorite hat trend is still the turban. I have talked about this before when chatting fashion week and here it is again. I love a turban.  All turbans. Summertime. Wintertime. There is just something so chic and confident about a woman in a turban.

Perhaps paired with a great pair of earrings as the cherry on top. I’ll leave you to admire a few of my favorites and my future looks I will be attempting to recreate.

PS I can’t fail to mention that babies have been rocking turbans recently as well and I just can’t help but squeal at the cuteness.

Maggie Wilson, Events and Partnerships Manager

I’ve always loved hats but I never really have the chance to wear them. I’d love to go to the Kentucky Derby and see some of those fabulous hats. I also firmly believe that if you’re going to wear a hat, you might as well go all out. So, when trying to pick a hat that I’d wear to the Derby I, of course, looked to the Royal family for inspiration.

I’d definitely wear this Jane Taylor (one of Kate Middleton’s favorite hat designer) creation to the Derby. I love the light blue color and the trendy feathers really make the hat pop. Now the only trick would be finding an outfit as fabulous as this hat.

Meryn Kennedy, Dallas Intern

If I was going to the Kentucky Derby I would definitely want to take advantage of the opportunity and rock a bold and daring hat, but because I don’t frequent the Derby, I usually rock a stylish turban. Though I don’t wear hats very often I love how a turban can add a neat urban twist to your look.

Currently, I really like turbans from Sole Society. Specifically, the shimmer twisted turban that I can wear on a fun night out.