Inspiration Guide on What to Wear to The Dusk At the Downs event gala

For the Ladies...

Now ladies, if you've spotted pictures of Kentucky Derby^® pasts and celebrities in attendance, I'm sure you have a slight idea of the type of outfit you should be targeting. Regardless, I'm about to share some Derby fashion trends, as well as offer tips for comfort, so you're prepared for afternoon at The Ridge Meadows.

The Bigger the Better!

I'm talking about your hat, of course! Saying you will see some of the biggest, most outrageous hats you've ever seen in your life at the Dusk at The Downs Kentucky Derby themed gala event, the day is an understatement. Ruffles, flowers, tulle, ribbons, bows, bright colors, wide rims, high feathers, you name it!

Drawing from horse racing's British roots for the derby ambiance, it all starts with the hat for the ladies. It gives you a chance to add some creativity to your outfit and show off your personal flair.

And do keep in mind, your hat is doing much more than adding elegance to your outfit. It's also shading your face from the Calgary sunshine!

The Meat and Potatoes

So not meat and potatoes, but the "meat and potatoes" to your outfit! Fashion at the Dusk at the Down derby event continues, with that in mind, your goal is to combine southern elegance with modern class.

Southern elegance, knee-length dresses are most commonly seen, but flow-y dress and skirts, rompers, pants, or beautiful and bright dresses with a tighter fit are also seen often.

There are two key things to remember when picking out your ensemble:

1. Dress for the Weather – Calgary early September weather are often warm and cooler when the sun descends behind the clouds, and since you will be outside there will be nowhere to change if you are hot or cold. Therefore, ensure your outfit is something you'll be comfortable in, no matter the weather.

1. Make Sure You Match - This might sound silly, but the more wild and outrageous your hat is, the harder it is to make sure you match. If your hat is loud with crazy patterns, opt for an outfit in a solid color which compliments the hat design, and vice versa.

1. Go for the Wedged Heels - The golf course greens are exactly that, on the greens, so avoid wearing stilettos heels otherwise you will walking in dirt and bare feet if your shoes don’t survive the greenery. To be safe, wear wedged heels.

For the Gents...

Guys, as a general rule of thumb, you want to dress as if sophistication is meeting southern flair. You want to be suave, yet sophisticated; classy, but out of the box!

Most gents in attendance at the Derby will be seen wearing suits, and trust me, the sky is the limit with the character you can bring in here. I'm talking bright colors, stripes, checkers, pin points, seersucker, etc.!

Whichever suit you decide to go with at the Dusk at the Downs, make sure your shirt and tie (optional, but bow ties are all the rage!) compliment it. As far as shoes go, I suggest Sleek Sperry's, loafers or dress shoes.