The Kentucky Derby brings to mind images of horses, jockeys and mint juleps. But, the Derby is also known for another long-standing tradition -- ladies elegant and elaborate hats.
According to the website http://Kentuckyderby.com, the tradition of wearing a hat to the Derby was started by women several years ago as a good luck charm. Over the years, however, men have also begun to wear a hat for Derby day.
"Generally speaking, women wear wide-brimmed, “Southern Belle” inspired Kentucky Derby hats," the website said. "The hats can be decorated with flowers, feathers, bows and ribbons of any color to express creativity and individuality. Men's Derby hats are generally solid in color and inspired by the style from the 1920s."
Maysville Classic Closet owner Bonnie Mitchell said the tradition is even popular locally.
"When the (Off Track Betting) opened several years ago, the hats became popular -- people were asking for them," Mitchell said. "So, we started selling them. Oddly enough, we sold many of them before Easter."
According to Mitchell, hat sales have slowed down some since KOTB closed down last year, but she continues to have a loyal customer base. As of Friday morning, she only had about five or six ladies hats left for sale.
"Even with the closing of the OTB, we've sold probably two dozen this year," she said. "People want to wear the hats, whether it is for an event in town or because they're going to watch the race somewhere else."
Mitchell said the most popular hats are wide-brimmed with decorations, such as flowers with stones in the center or hats with flowers.
"You don't wear the decorations in the back anymore," Mitchell said. "You wear them in the front or on the side in the front."
Mitchell said over recent years, fascinator hats have also become popular. Those are hats that are smaller and sometimes come with a head band.
"It's the type of hat that Kate Middleton wears," she said. "A lot of people have picked up that style."
Mitchell said the one thing she does not sell are men's hats.
"I sell hats in all shapes, sizes and color," she said. "They're all popular. But, I don't sell any men's hats. They're a little harder to find and I haven't really had anyone ask for them."
However, Mitchell said she sold a hat to a Straub Elementary student who was searching for a man's hat.
"The school was doing their Derby day, so he needed a hat," she said. "We didn't have any actual Derby hats for boys, so we sold him a hat that is kind of like a Panama Jack hat that was made out of straw with a flat brim. He decorated it for his Derby hat."
The Straub Elementary School Derby day is not the only Derby-related event each year in Maysville, according to Mitchell. Several organizations in town put on Derby hat contests. One of those organizations is the Moose Lodge.
Moose Lodge member Debbie Kearns said each year on Derby day, the lodge holds a hat contest. During the contest, each contestant will don their favorite derby hat and parade before the judges.
"The lodge has been doing the contest for probably 15 years," Kearns said. "The only rules are that you have to be a member of the lodge and wear a hat."
The Ledger Independent is online at: http://www.maysville-online.com