What to Wear to the Kentucky Derby 2024: Best Affordable Kentucky Dresses to Impress

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Best Cute Kentucky Derby Dresses and Outfits for Women

Kentucky Derby Dresses

The Kentucky Derby is right around the corner, which means Kentucky Derby Parties and the Kentucky Derby!

If you aren’t sure what to wear to a Kentucky Derby Party, it’s surprisingly easy. 😊

What to Wear to the Kentucky Derby 2024

In general, this is what you should wear to the Kentucky Derby:

  • Wear a knee-length or a midi dress
  • A cute Kentucky Derby hat
  • Comfortable wedges (or open-toed heels)
  • Cute earrings and jewelry

The best Kentucky Derby dresses come in bright color colors (like pink, orange, blue, and purple), have polka dots, or have a floral print. I'd suggest shopping at Lulus, Amazon (just search "Kentucky Derby dresses"), and Martha's Vineyard for Kentucky Derby dresses. Rent the Runway is also an amazing place to look!

Knee-length and midi dresses are the best for Kentucky Derby outfits. And of course, you can't forget a Kentucky Derby hat!

Classy and Cute Dresses to Wear to the Kentucky Derby

Below are cute and classy Kentucky Derby dresses for 2024.

Best Kentucky Derby Dress with Puff Sleeves:

Kentucky Derby dress
Sizes: XS to XL

View on Lulus

This puff sleeve dress is so cute! Perfect for the Kentucky Derby and for other events too, like graduation, a summer wedding, or to a mother-daughter cotillion event!

Best Black and White Kentucky Derby Dress:

Black and White Floral Kentucky Derby Dress for Women
Floral-Print High-Low Maxi Dress

View on Lulus

This black and white dress is perfect for wearing to the Kentucky Derby! Pair with black heels and a white and black hat for a cute Kentucky Derby outfit.

One woman from Lulus said, "Perfect Derby Dress. I wore this to a horse race event and it was perfect. Fits true to size and is good for smaller chest gals." — Tara M.

Best Plus Size Kentucky Derby Dress:

White and Black Polka Dot Kentucky Derby Dress with Red Roses
Available in sizes Up to 4X-Large

View on Amazon

This black and white polka dot Kentucky Derby dress comes in plus sizes up to 4X-Large. This is one of my favorite plus size Kentucky Derby dresses! Plus, this dress is so affordable too!

Black and White Polka Dot Kentucky Derby Dress
Wear with a Red Derby Hat!

View on Amazon

This Kentucky Derby dress comes in more cute designs with floral print!

Best White and Blue Kentucky Derby Dress:

Blue and White Floral Dress for Kentucky Derby Party or Outdoor Wedding
Blue and White Floral Print Ruffled Midi Dress

View on Lulus

This blue and white floral dress is so darling!

Best Light Pink Kentucky Derby Dress:

Cute Pink Lace Kentucky Derby Dress for Women
Sizes: XS to XL

View on Lulus

This light pink ruffled dress is so cute. It is so pretty and feminine too! 

Best Kentucky Derby Dress on Amazon:

Cute Floral Kentucky Derby White Dress with Floral Print in Plus Sizes
Available in Plus Sizes Up to 4X-Large

View on Amazon

This Kentucky Derby dress is under $45 on Amazon and comes in plus sizes.

Best Unique Kentucky Derby Dress:

Lemon Print Yellow and White Kentucky Derby Cute Dress
Afternoon Air Yellow Lemon Print High-Low Midi Dress

View on Lulus

This cute yellow and white dress is perfect for wearing to the Kentucky Derby!

Best Kentucky Derby Dress by Lilly Pulitzer:

Lilly Pulitzer Pink and White Kentucky Derby Dress
Sizes: 00 to 16

View on Lilly Pulitzer

This bright and cheery dress is perfect for spring, summer, or a Hawaiian vacation. Order a size up to ensure this dress fits. 

Best Checkered Kentucky Derby Dress:

Blue and White Gingham Midi Kentucky Derby Dress
The Perfect Kentucky Derby Dress

View on Lulus

This black and white gingham midi dress is literally called the "Kentucky Derby" dress on Lulus. Wear with red heels and a red Kentucky Derby hat! 

 
Blue Lace Kentucky Derby Dress
Romance Language Blue Backless Lace Dress

View on Lulus

This blue lace dress with cap sleeves has an open back. So sexy!

Black and White Kentucky Derby Dress with Long Sleeves
Cute with Ruffles!

View on Amazon

This Kentucky Derby dress has long sleeves and is under $35. Plus, the flit and flare shape hides a tummy and is perfect for curvy women.

Light Blue Midi Kentucky Derby Bodycon Dress
Available in Peach, Black, and Pink Too

View on Lulus

This is the perfect little dress if you want something that travels well. Note: This Kentucky Derby dress is body fitting, so you may want to wear spanx underneath it.

Long Sleeve Kentucky Derby Dress in Red and Navy Blue with Pockets
Sizes Up to XX-Large with Pockets

View on Amazon

This Kentucky Derby dress has long sleeves. This dress has pockets too! 🙌

Cute Red and White Polka Dot Kentucky Derby Dress for Curvy Women and Plus Size
Sizes Up to 2X-Large

View on Amazon

This red and white polka dot Kentucky Derby dress is SO flattery on women with curves.

Dressystar 1950s Polka Dot Dress

Kentucky Derby Polka Dot Dress
Sizes: Small to 3X-Large

View on Amazon

Pink V-Neck Dress

Hot Pink Kentucky Derby Dress on Nordstrom
Sizes 0 to 16

View on Nordstrom

You can't go wrong with a solid-colored knee-length dress for a Kentucky Derby party.

Floral Ruffled Halter Neck Kentucky Derby Dress
Available in Sizes Up to 3X-Large

View on Pink Lily

This ruffled Kentucky Derby dress is flowy, soft, and feminine.

Blue and White Floral Plus Size Kentucky Derby Maxi Dress
Sizes: X-Small to 3X-Large

View on Pink Lily

This empire, flowy dress is very flattering. 

Pink Halter Kentucky Derby Dress
Sizes 0 to 14

View on Rent the Runway

Red and White Stripe Kentucky Derby Dress on Rent the Runway
Sizes 0-12

View on Rent the Runway

Blue Off Shoulder Kentucky Derby Dress
Sizes XS to XL

View on Rent the Runway

Knee-Length Skater Kentucky Derby Dress

Green Plus Size Kentucky Derby Dress
Sizes: X-Small to XX-Large

View on Amazon

White Floral and Butterfly Kentucky Derby Dress
Sizes 0 to 12

View on Rent the Runway

Green Lace Kentucky Derby Dress
Sizes XS to XXL

View on Rent the Runway

Cute Red Floral Kentucky Derby Dress
Sizes 0 to 22W

View on Rent the Runway

Where to Buy Kentucky Derby Dresses

Need a Kentucky Derby dress, but not sure where to start searching?

Below are my recommendations on where to shop for Kentucky Derby dresses and plus-size Kentucky Derby dresses online.

1. Amazon

Amazon is amazing for affordable Kentucky Derby dresses.

2. Lilly Pulitzer

Lilly Pulitzer is great for cute and classy Kentucky Derby dresses.

3. Lulus

Lulus is a great place to shop for floral print Kentucky Derby dresses, high-low Kentucky Derby dresses, and midi-length Kentucky Derby dresses.

4. REVOLVE

REVOLVE is great for buying really feminine and unique Kentucky Derby dresses.

5. Rent the Runway

Rent the Runway is an AMAZING place to get a designer dress to wear to the Kentucky Derby at an affordable price!

Plus, you can search for Derby dresses on Rent the Runway by size and body type.

6. Anthropologie

Anthropologie has amazing Kentucky Derby dresses for women and stylish, chic plus-size Kentucky Derby dresses for women.

FAQs about What to Wear to the Kentucky Derby

Below are a few FAQs you may have about what to wear to the Kentucky Derby or to a horse race.

What kinds of dresses do women wear to the Kentucky Derby?

Most women wear knee-length or midi dresses to the Kentucky Derby in spring colors.

If you already own a classy Easter dress or a spring wedding guest dress, you can likely wear that. 😊

Should I wear a hat to a Kentucky Derby party?

Yes, absolutely!

You will feel left out if you don’t have a hat to wear to a Kentucky Derby party.

Most women wear pink, yellow, or white hats to a Kentucky Derby party. Straw hats, Organza sun hats, and headbands with feathers are popular.

Amazon and Etsy have lots of cute Kentucky Derby hats for women on sale.

Shop Amazon for Kentucky Derby Hats

Shop Etsy for Kentucky Derby Hats

Should I wear heels to a Kentucky Derby party?

It really depends!

If you are going to be outside on the grass, you will probably want to wear cute wedges to a Kentucky Derby party.

You can’t go wrong with cute sandals too.

Many women love the Jack Rogers sandals. They are preppy and perfect for the Kentucky Derby.

What kind of purse should I bring to a Kentucky Derby party?

If you will be out all day, you’ll likely want a medium-sized purse that will hold water, a snack, and sunscreen.

Otherwise, you can bring a small straw clutch or a fun and feminine purse with you to a Kentucky Derby party.

Can I wear a romper to a Kentucky Derby party?

You can wear whatever you want to the Kentucky Derby, but I would strongly advise against wearing a romper.

Rompers are cute, but they are too casual for the Kentucky Derby. You’ll want to wear a dress if you don’t want to stick out like a sore thumb.

Where can I find dresses for the Kentucky Derby?

Check out Amazon, Vineyard Vines, Dillard’s, Lulus, and Lilly Pulitzer for cute dresses to wear to the Kentucky Derby.

Where can men find good clothes to wear to the Kentucky Derby?

Vineyard Vines is the perfect place for men to find collared shirts and jackets to wear to Kentucky Derby parties.

Men's Shirts for Kentucky Derby Parties in Blue, Turquoise, Pink by Vineyard Vines
So Attractive and Stylish!

Shop Vineyard Vines

You will find LOTS of classy plaid and gingham shirts in turquoise, light blue, and pink that are just perfect for wearing to the Kentucky Derby.

Southern Tide has LOTS of khaki pants in every size imaginable for men to wear to the Kentucky Derby.

Men's Preppy Khaki Pants for Kentucky Derby Party by Southern Tide
Available in LOTS of Sizes

Shop Southern Tide

Kentucky Derby Outfits and Dresses for Inspiration

Want ideas on what to wear to the Kentucky Derby?

Below are a few photos to give you an idea of what to wear to a Kentucky Derby party for both men and women.

Cute White Kentucky Derby Dress for Her and Jacket for Him
White and Blue Kentucky Derby Outfits
Black, White, Red, and Pink Kentucky Derby Outfits for Him and Her
Black, White, Red, and Pink Kentucky Derby Outfits
Kentucky Derby Dress Ideas for Women
So Classy!
Kentucky Derby Inspiration On What to Wear for Him and Her
Fun in Pink, Blue, and White!
Kentucky Derby Outfits for Women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s
So Cute and Classy!
Kentucky Derby Outfits and Dresses for College and Girls in Their 20s in Pink, Yellow, and Green Dresses
Pretty in Pink, Yellow, and Green Dresses
Kentucky Derby Dresses for Women in Pink, Light Blue, and Floral Dresses
Pretty in Pink, Light Blue, and Floral Dresses

Guides to Get You Ready for More Spring and Summer Fun

Want more cute outfit ideas? Check out these guides for ideas on what to wear.

Cute Spring Outfits Inspired by Stitch Fix

Spring Engagement Photo Outfit Ideas

Plus Size Outfits for Spring

Best One-Piece Swimsuits on Amazon

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Christina Marie from Chic Lifestyle (offering beauty product reviews, very easy makeup tips, and affordable outfit ideas for women)

Cute Kentucky Derby Dresses and Outfits for Women
Cute Kentucky Derby Dresses and Outfits for Women

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