What Are You Wearing Tonight to Opening Night?

By Alissa Hicks

Photo: Courtesy of the Kentucky Derby Festival 

Tonight kicks off Derby Week at Churchill Downs. Opening Night offers more than just live racing — actors, dancers, musicians, visual artists and more will perform throughout the track. The night will also feature the inaugural Awards in the Arts. Gates open at 5pm with the first live race at 6pm. Tickets are $10-$125.

But back to what you are going to wear...
According to Churchill Downs, the attire is Dress to Impress. Ladies are encouraged to wear party and cocktail dresses and men sharp pants and a dress shirt; tie is optional. Wearing a fascinator or a hat is perfectly appropriate. Here are some ideas that we found.

Sarah Shanks wearing: Dress available at Nordstrom Rack, 4600 Shelbyville Rd, 502.899.4940, $160; Shoes available at 3921 Chenoweth Square, 502.883.4721, $68; Earrings available at Chartreuse, Westport Village, 1301 Herr Ln #152, 502.409.7082, $13; Fascinator by Gloriela's Designs, 502.510.6052, $209.

Nathan Shanks is wearing: Shirt available at The Shirt Shop, 3900 Shelbyville Rd #8, 502.744.6001, $90; Slacks available at Dillard's, 5000 Shelbyville Rd, 502.893.4400, $50; Bowtie available at The Shirt Shop, $55; Shoes available at Nordstrom Rack, 4600 Shelbyville Rd, 502.899.4940, $190.

Sarah is wearing: Dress available at Sunny Daize, 11809 Shelbyville Rd, 502.244.5580, $48; Shoes available at Modern Elegance, 3921 Chenoweth Square, 502.883.4721, $130; Necklace available at Sunny Daize, $25; Hat by Dee’s, 5045 Shelbyville Rd, 502.896.6755, $269.

Nathan is wearing: Shirt available at The Shirt Shop, 3900 Shelbyville Rd #8, 502.744.6001, $90; Slacks available at Dillard’s, 5000 Shelbyville Rd, 502.893.4400, $50; Bowtie available at The Shirt Shop, $55; Shoes available at Nordstrom Rack,  4600 Shelbyville Rd, 502.899.4940, $190.

Dress available at Boutique Serendipity, 3706 Lexington Rd, 502.423.0058, $198; Flats available at Modern Elegance, 3921 Chenoweth Square, 502.883.4721, $62; Hat by Headcandi, $698.

Adrienne is wearing: Hat by Jan Wutkowski, hatshatshats.com, $395; Earrings available at Davis Jewelers, $1,195; Necklace available at Davis Jewelers, $1,995.

Kentucky Derby Festival Princess Millicent Cahoon is wearing: Fascinator by Headcandi, shopheadcandi.com, $198; Earrings available at Davis Jewelers, $875; Necklace available at Davis Jewelers, $2,400.

Kentucky Derby Festival Princess Andi Dahmer is wearing: Hat by Abbie’s Designer Hats, $165; Earrings available at Clater Jewelers; Necklace available at Clater Jewelers.