The Kentucky Derby is one of my favorite sporting events of the year! Like many of you, I love dressing up for the Derby with a fabulous new dress, a gorgeous festive hat, and a mint julep in hand. The Kentucky Derby is always a popular time on the blog, year after year I share amazing hats for women, trendy party decor, and the best dresses! Last week, I featured 20 of the best hats for women in a variety of styles. Today, I’m excited to dish on a few trendy Kentucky Derby dresses that are not only perfect for the event, but that you can wear time and time again at bridal showers, weddings, weekend brunch, date night, baby showers, and much more.
When shopping for the perfect Kentucky Derby dress, you want to ensure that your dress doesn’t compete with your hat. You want your hat to complement your outfit and make a statement! For example, last year, Giada De Laurentiis wore a beautiful yellow hat which looked amazing with her print dress! Actress, Chrishell Stause wore a gorgeous blush tone lace dress which she paired with a mauve fascinator. The options are endless!
If you’re searching for the perfect Kentucky Derby dress just in time for Saturday, May 1, 2021 you’re in luck! Here are 20 gorgeous Kentucky Derby dresses for women. I also shared tips on how to dress them up or down with jewelry, shoes and accessories. For more gorgeous dresses, rompers, and fashion essentials, please check out my spring and summer style section.
Elegant one shoulder dress for the Derby
If you’re shopping for a gorgeous, elegant dress for the Kentucky Derby, you can’t go wrong with this fabulous one shoulder dress by Eliza J. This stunning dress with a floral applique on the shoulder comes in three colors: hot pink, blush pink and black. All three colors are absolutely stunning and perfect for Derby Day, wedding guest season, and Steeplechase.
It would look fabulous paired with a gorgeous clutch, chandelier earrings, a great pair of wedge sandals or strappy heel sandals!
Trendy lace Kentucky Derby dresses
If there’s one dress tend that my readers and I absolutely adore the most, it’s definitely laced dresses! Lace dresses come in a variety of styles, colors and price ranges. Some are boho chic, others are perfect for date night, and many can be dressed up or down and worn to a variety of events! Since I know you all love a great lace dress as much as I do, today, I’m sharing 10 fabulous lace dresses that you will love for Derby Day and a variety of occasions!
Ruffles are one of the hottest fashion trends for spring and summer! This trend became very popular last year, and this season Cooper ST combined lace and ruffles to create this gorgeous lace parfait ruffle dress in blue. Isn’t it stunning?
If you’re searching for a beautiful and affordable lace dress with short sleeves, I’ve found it! This Tahari lace dress in super trendy blush pink is a must for the Derby, bridal showers, wedding season and more. It comes in regular and in petite, which is always an added bonus.
How fabulous is this green lace dress? I love the boatneck neckline and the fact that it comes in regular and in petite. If like me, you’re under 5’4″, you know how difficult it can be to find a dress that actually fits properly! I simply adore this Eliza J fit and flare dress.
This red lace dress is perfect for the 147th annual “run for the roses”! Red roses are the official flower of the Derby, and this fabulous red dress will look amazing at Churchill Downs or at your own party. It will look amazing with a fascinator, a wide brim hat, or a floppy hat!
How fabulous is this midi length navy blue lace dress? I love the high neckline, and the gorgeous back. This is one elegant dress that you will wear time and time again to Derby parties, weddings, cocktail parties and more.
Lilly Pulitzer dresses are always a must, especially her gorgeous lace dresses! I simply adore this white fit and flare lace dress. It’s perfect for the Derby, any summer event you have planned, and is definitely a must for the bride-to-be! Did I mention it has pockets? It’s a definite win-win!
If there’s one dress I love the most this spring, it’s definitely this Lilly Pulitzer Jade off the shoulder dress! It’s absolutely stunning. It comes in black or in blue. Both colors are absolutely gorgeous and perfect for every event and occasion you’re invited to this spring and summer. It’ll also be a must come fall and the holiday season! This spring and summer you can wear it with wedges, mule sandals, platform espadrilles, strappy heel sandals and more. In the fall it’ll look great with your favorite pumps, leopard print heels, etc. When it comes to hats, you can wear a fabulous oversized hat, one with a wide brim, a floppy hat or a pretty fascinator!
I LOVE this Lilly Pulitzer Demi Convertible Dress for spring! It can be worn as a halter dress, a sweetheart neckline, a strapless dress, and more! They shared quite a few different ways you can wear it on the website. There are so many options!
Like many of you, I absolutely adore Shoshanna dresses. They’re absolutely gorgeous, and will be a staple in your wardrobe for years to come. Shoshanna dresses are always in style and always on trend. This stunning midi length dress with scalloped trim is a must for the Derby, an elegant occasion or festivities for the bride-to-be.
Gorgeous floral print Kentucky Derby dresses
It’s no secret, floral print dresses are one of the hottest fashion trends year after year, and of course spring after spring. A few weeks ago I featured the top floral print dresses under $100 for spring and was so excited to see that there are so many gorgeous new dresses that are perfect for Derby Day on Saturday, May 1st. Here are a few favorites!
With Derby Day on Cinco de Mayo this year, I had to feature this gorgeous Parker Allister Silk Dress in Floral Fiesta print. Isn’t it stunning? I simply adore the high low hem and the ruffle tiers. It’s not only perfect for Derby celebrations, but is perfect for wedding guest season, date night, lunch dates with friends, weekend brunch, Mother’s Day soirees with mom, and more.
This Lush Colie ruffle wrap dress is a steal! It’s less than $50 and comes in tons of different colors and prints. I honestly love them all, they’re so gorgeous! Did I mention that this dress is lined? Talk about another bonus! It has great reviews and is an absolute MUST!
If there’s one dress that screams “Derby Dress” to me, it’s definitely this fabulous floral print shirtdress! If you love watching the Derby red carpet (at Churchill Downs), you’re familiar with how popular shirt dresses are. This particular dress is under $150 and comes with a removable tie (at the waist)! Did I mention that it has pockets? Sold!
If you love the look of floral, but searching for one in a darker color, you’re in luck! This fabulous Kendall + Kylie floral print black dress is it. It’s gorgeous, affordable and is perfect for Derby Day, graduation season or date night. I personally love the sheer hem and cap sleeves the most. It’ll look amazing with slides, mules, wedge sandals, strappy heels and more! You can also wear this dress with your favorite Tory Burch Miller sandals for a casual outing.
There’s nothing more classic than a gorgeous fit and flare dress! If you’re searching for a modern version of this silhouette, you’ll adore this blue trendy tie front floral print dress. I love the midi length! You can wear it with a great pair of heels or wedges! If it’s still chilly in your area, I’d definitely pair it with a cute denim jacket to your friend’s Derby party.
If you’re searching for a floral print dress that you can dress up or down and can wear time and time again this spring and summer, you’re going to love this floral print Jack by BB Dakota Kogan Dress. I’ve always loved BB Dakota, but this spring their styles are better than ever, the quality is amazing and super affordable too. This floral print maxi dress is lined, which is an added bonus. It will look great with flip flops, slides, wedges, strappy sandals, and more! You can dress it up or down with jewelry, shoes and accessories. This floral print dress will be great for backyard barbecues with friends and family, a graduation party, vacationing, wine tasting, and nearly every event you’re invited to.
Maxi dresses are always a must, especially for spring and summer. I can’t get enough of this beautiful, elegant maxi in this season’s hottest color trend: pastel. This dress will definitely be a staple in your wardrobe for years to come.
Trendy Gingham Check Dress For Your Derby Party!
Fab Ruffle Side Dress For Derby Day and Wedding Guests
Must have shirtdress for the Kentucky Derby!
Last, but definitely not least, the quintessential shirtdress! If you’re shopping for a classic Derby inspired style, you can’t go wrong with a gorgeous shirtdress, especially this beautiful Eliza J halter blue and white stripe shirtdress. Blue and white stripes are incredibly popular for spring and summer Don’t you just love the floral embroidery along the hem? I can’t get enough of it.
