Hats of the Kentucky Derby: From Elegant to Wacky

This year’s selection of behatted attendees at Churchill Downs did not disappoint.

Matt Slocum/AP; John Sommers II/Reuters, via Landov; Kevin Dietsch/UPI, via Landov

galleries/2013/05/05/hats-of-the-kentucky-derby-from-elegant-to-whacky0/derby-hats-tease_trfym0 — The 139th Kentucky Derby was welcomed in typically extravagant fashion at Churchill Downs on Saturday. Horses may be the main attraction, but the behatted spectators flooding into Louisville in their seersucker suits and wild, swooping headpieces are the true eye candy. Here are some of the biggest fashion statements seen at this year's Derby Day, from the sophisticated to the frivolous.
Matt Slocum/AP; John Sommers II/Reuters, via Landov; Kevin Dietsch/UPI, via Landov

galleries/2013/05/05/hats-of-the-kentucky-derby-from-elegant-to-whacky0/derby-hats-01_x0hfbw — Rain wasn't about to deter the elegantly dressed attendees.
David GoldmanAP

galleries/2013/05/05/hats-of-the-kentucky-derby-from-elegant-to-whacky0/derby-hats-02_qubpu0 — Red cups holding flowers balance on the heads of race patrons awaiting the start.
John Gress/Reuters, via Landov

galleries/2013/05/05/hats-of-the-kentucky-derby-from-elegant-to-whacky0/derby-hats-03_lihp62 — A checkered hat swoops in front of an attendee's face.
John Sommers II/Reuters, via Landov

galleries/2013/05/05/hats-of-the-kentucky-derby-from-elegant-to-whacky0/derby-hats-04_fobm2f — Pink and black feathers adorn the hat of a woman in the paddock.
Kevin Dietsch/UPI, via Landov

galleries/2013/05/05/hats-of-the-kentucky-derby-from-elegant-to-whacky0/derby-hats-05_xnchnf — Cigar smoke billows from the mouth of a classically dressed man on Derby Day.
Kevin Dietsch/UPI, via Landov

galleries/2013/05/05/hats-of-the-kentucky-derby-from-elegant-to-whacky0/derby-hats-06_gwlyaf — Rain soaks a waiting spectator before the race.
Jeff Haynes/Reuters, via Landov

galleries/2013/05/05/hats-of-the-kentucky-derby-from-elegant-to-whacky0/derby-hats-07_l3eayg — Now, that's a hat: a daring attendee shows off her plummage.
Matt Slocum/AP

galleries/2013/05/05/hats-of-the-kentucky-derby-from-elegant-to-whacky0/derby-hats-08_uogieg — Hats of all colors, shapes, and sizes were the main spectacle at Saturday's race.
Matt Slocum/AP

galleries/2013/05/05/hats-of-the-kentucky-derby-from-elegant-to-whacky0/derby-hats-09_iuz0mb — Two flamingos loom over the head of an exuberant race-goer.
Kevin Dietsch/UPI, via Landov

galleries/2013/05/05/hats-of-the-kentucky-derby-from-elegant-to-whacky0/derby-hats-10_xrkymn — Spring colors were out in full bloom on the heads of Kentucky Derby viewers.
Kevin Dietsch/UPI, via Landov

galleries/2013/05/05/hats-of-the-kentucky-derby-from-elegant-to-whacky0/derby-hats-11_jdkt1j — An arriving spectator shows off her demure headpiece.
Matt Slocum/AP

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