Essential Tips for Comfort at the Kentucky Derby

I learned the official Kentucky Derby site publishes a “what to wear” 2024 style guide each year. But as someone who attended Oaks Day in 2023, I’ll continue to tell you that whilst style is important and fun, so is planning for the local weather and amount of walking you’ll be doing once on the Churchill Downs grounds. Not to mention to and from whatever type of transportation you have. Not to mention the type of bag or purse to bring.

Because, seriously, how is this possible or practical for Derby unless you’re being air lifted IN and OUT of the venue?! Super cute but not super practical for all day walking.

The funny thing is, that Etsy listing doesn’t have any search terms related to the KY Derby so it’s more of a free-form association choice of general, cute shoes…that are highly unpractical and will absolutely be carried inside your purse after consuming ~4 mint juleps. 😀

(Churchill grounds) What it’s actually like to walk around

For those that don’t know, the grounds of Churchill Downs, are a lot like county fairgrounds. It’s a mix of concrete, cement, brick, sand. There are stairs, random potholes, uneven surfaces.

In the elevated box seats, there’s carpet. The newest, least crater-filled grounds, is the First Turn. It’s a lot like an extensive new event hall with indoor flooring and a tiered, outdoor patio to watch the horses make their first turn around the race track.

Cute & Practical Wedges

I ordered these wedges & wide heeled shoes from Toms this year as I’ll be attending various other outdoor summer events and walking around at Churchill from the Dawn at the Downs to a personal day at the track during Memorial Day.

Super cute and, also, super orthopedic. Rizzo has made off with these a few times when I’ve left them on the floor.

Tom’s has been advertising these a lot on social media. I bought a half size up from what I usually have in their wedges and really like them. They pair great with a pair of jeans and blazer for a casual business meeting or evening dinner.

Ok, this was an unexpected find on Toms.com, but I think they’re cute an practical. Again, in a sandal that will be used for actually walking, there’s a nice big, chunky heel for standing in line for food and drinks, a cushioned sole, and cute upper.

Actual walking shoe recommendations – Under Armour

Friends, I work for the incredible sportswear brand Under Armour so I am biased here. But! I also actually wore a pair of Under Armour shoes to Oaks Day (the Friday before the Derby on the first Saturday in May) and can attest, the dress tennis shoes (tennies) are the way to go. Especially if it’s your first time. There’s so much to see as you sip on your mint julep and stroll the grounds, you are absolutely going to want shoes you can walk around in all day.

Get yours: These are the Under Armour shoes I was wearing: UA Charged Impulse 2 Knit Running Shoes

I know, so popular, b/c I was wearing them 😛 I love the rose gold branded accents. To me, they look like a dress tennis shoe without being a training shoe I’ve ever worn to an actual workout. Sorry not sorry.

These are also cute: UA Velocity 3 Breeze Running Shoes

When you wanna be functional AND fancy, wear these Unisex Curry x Bruce Lee SlipSpeed Shoes

Lastly, I just found these in my filtered search for “women’s white shoes”: UA HOVR Block City Volleyball Shoes which aren’t traditionally a walking around in shoe, but hey, it’s kind of whatever goes at the KY Derby so do you.

Whatever you like, get it. Wear it.

In the end, it doesn’t matter what any fashion expert says. All that matters is that you are free to explore the world around you and be comfortable and happy wherever you find yourself.

Me and my incredible hat at Churchill Downs on Oaks Day, 2023.

In 2024, my quest was to customize a base fascinator hat I purchased last year at Dee’s Louisville before it closed.

Since I’m local and not officially attending Oaks or Derby on May 3-4th, I’ll likely take it to Anna’s Additions. If you’re also local or coming into town for the fastest two minutes in sports, you should definitely check out their assortment of hats and fascinators (or hostess gifts if you’re attending a Derby themed party at someone’s home). The retail store is located at 8113 La Grange Rd, Louisville, KY 40222.

Anna’s Additions has added a section to their shop so you can come in and customize your hat or fascinator, have them design one for you, or add embellishments to an existing one to update it. Their creations are just so stunning and unique.

There are plenty of boutiques to shop at locally in Louisville (I often learn about new ones on Instagram) and depending upon whether you’re planning to shop once you’re in town or order ahead online.

How many people are coming to Louisville for the 150th run for the roses?

15,300. That’s how many seats are booked on 116 flights into SDF on Thursday, May 2 — the day before the Kentucky Oaks. In all, 34,000 people will fly into SDF on 276 flights Derby weekend. The busiest day is known as “Departure Sunday,” when 17,000 departing seats are booked. (Louisville Business First). What’s more…

550,000. That’s how many people Louisville Tourism expects to attend events in Louisville this May. The Kentucky Derby alone is expected to bring 256,000 attendees, with an economic impact of $405 million. (Louisville Business First).

What time is post time for the Kentucky Derby 150?

6:67PM EST is the post time for the official 2 minute race known as the Kentucky Derby; the fastest two minutes in sports.

2024 Derby Recap

Win, place or show. The line up of horses running the Kentucky Derby 2024: USA Today, Full horses list and odds for the 2024 Kentucky Derby

Which horse is favored to win the Derby? Fierceness is the favorite at 5-2

How much are tickets to the Kentucky Derby 150? For $1K+ you can be seated in a dining room option. Outside of the infield (standing only), the average ticket price is over a thousand dollars.

Read about the $2M renovation project that’s been in the works for May 2024 at Churchill.

Plan ahead: Here’s an overview of the new seating experiences for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

Press: Garden & Gun – The best looks from the 150th Kentucky Derby

This article represents my personal views and not the views of my employer.