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The derby hat is named as such thanks to it being a common type of hat worn during the annual derby that’s held in various places all over the world. They’re also known as bowler hats and have a rounded crown. These days, derby hats have evolved significantly, looking larger and more extravagant than ever before.
Today, we’re going to be taking a look at some wild derby hats. These hats are perfect for parties, formal events, weddings, and more, and they’re sure to make you stand out. While not all of these hats won’t protect you from the heat of the sun, they’ll be sure to make you just as hot. Here are our favorite derby hats found on Amazon.
Our Favorite Derby Hats of 2024
VECRY Hat — Best Overall
Our first derby hat is the closest you can get to a traditional or classic derby hat of the early 20th century. They’re simple yet stand out thanks to their large form. The hat features a large, downwards-sloping brim and a rounded crown that’s common among bowlers and derby hats. The textured look of the brim gives it a more complex and luxurious feel.
Aside from the form of the hat, it’s also worth noting the available colors that the hat is in. You can choose dozens of different colors to suit your look, which is perfect if you need something to complete that dress you’re wearing. The price of this hat is pretty steep, and it’s the most expensive hat on our list, but its quality and beauty will make up for it.
Pros
- Available in many different colors
- Classic derby hat design
Cons
- Somewhat pricey
SAFERIN Hat — Runner Up
Hats are great for protecting your face from the heat of the sun, but they also add a bit of weight to your head. And if you plan on wearing that hat for the entire day, you’ll definitely start to feel a little sore on your neck after a while. So, those looking for a somewhat lighter hat while still retaining that iconic derby hat style will enjoy this hat by SAFERIN.
The hat features a see-through brim that provides a bit of shade and gives form to the hat while also being incredibly light on the head. The see-through nature also adds a bit of allure, and it achieves an almost ethereal effect on those who wear it. The hat is available in many different colors like the previous hat, but for half the price. It’s definitely a hat worth considering, just don’t count on it to keep cool on a hot summer day.
Pros
- Light on the head
- See-through style
Cons
- Not great for providing shade
FELIZHOUSE Hat — Honorable Mention
One way in which derby hats evolved from their former look was by adding accessories that really improved an already aesthetic-looking hat. A great example of this would be feathered hats - while feathers are pretty simple and commonplace these days, there’s something about them that makes them look especially stunning on derby hats.
Feathers add an air of luxury and class to anything that they’re attached to, and this is extremely prevalent with the hats provided by FELIZHOUSE. They’re small hats, and you wouldn’t even know they’re hats until you gave it a closer look, but they’re hats nonetheless, and they’re perfect for those who want to show off their hair while still adding a bit of decoration up there.
Pros
- Great for showing off hair
- Special feathered design
Cons
- Can be difficult to wear properly
Zivyes Hat — Also Consider
This last derby hat is really pushing the traditional definition of a derby hat, but these sorts of hats are seen in Derbys, which is why they were worth mentioning. This hat comes in a gorgeous and stunning flower-based design, made out of a net-like material that allows you to see through the flower to an extent. It’s not exactly a unique type of design, as you may have seen it in decorations and clothing before, but it’s stunning nonetheless.
One interesting thing to note aside from the flower shape in the center is the presence of polkadots as well. The polkadots add volume to the hat and add a bit of an opaque and solid feel to the whole thing. It’s even got a few feathers to really touch things up. The hat is perfect if you want something that’ll really stand out amongst the crowd.
Pros
- Flower design
- With polkadots
Cons
- Not your traditional “derby” hat
Buying Guide: Derby Hats
What Is a Derby Hat?
A derby hat, more commonly known as a bowler hat, is a type of hat with a rounded crown. Traditionally, bowler hats were made with hard felt, and are the type of hat you’d seen in one of those old 1920s films.
Over time, the terms “bowler hat” and “derby hat” slowly began to differ from one another, and derby hats now refer to all sorts of festive and decorative hats worn for many formal and social occasions.
Why Are Derby Hats Named That Way?
To answer what a derby hat is, we first need to understand the meaning behind “derby”. And unless your country holds a derby annually, you probably haven’t even heard of what they are before. Derbys are yearly events in which horses, typically three years of age, are raced across a track. The events usually garner national attention and are also common places for betting to be held.
Derby hats, then, refer to hats worn during the derby. But there’s no strict dress code that you have to follow to attend a derby, and over time, the style of derby hats changed as fashion trends came and went. While hats worn in Derbys were commonly bowler hats back in the day, other hats found their way into the annual races, which is why many hats sold in the market today are labeled as “derby hats” despite having no relation to a traditional bowler hat.
Why You Should Choose Derby Hats
They’re decorative
If you’re attending a formal event or party, you probably want to wear something that’ll stand out. There are plenty of ways to do this - makeup, dresses, heels, jewelry, and so on. They’re obvious choices, and are surefire ways to garner attention, but what if you still think that you’re lacking that extra spark despite having everything you want for your outfit?
Derby hats can add that finishing touch to really complete a look in its entirety. With various colors, designs, materials, and accessories, derby hats are a head-turner on their own, and when complemented with the right dress, they can easily turn an elegant but less pronounced outfit into one that demands your attention.
They add something to your hair
One factor that a lot of people seem to overlook when considering derby hats is the fact that they can serve as a centerpiece of sorts, particularly in the head area. When preparing a look for an event, it’s easy to overlook things other than your dress, makeup, and shoes, and you may realize too late that your hair just feels like it’s missing something.
Thankfully, with a derby hat, all you have to do is put the hat on and you’re good to go. No need for fancy hair makeovers or trips to the hair salon - just make your hair presentable enough and let the hat do the rest. The hat will easily draw attention away from your hair, so they’re especially useful in a pinch when you need something to really tie that look together perfectly.
They provide shade (well, some of them)
One final benefit to some derby hats is that they can offer shade when outside. After all, that’s the purpose of wearing a hat to the derby in the first place - to keep your head cool as you’re sitting by the stands. At least, that’s what the hats were supposed to be for until recently.
You see, with many different hats worn in events such as the Kentucky Derby, not all of them are meant to offer shade. Sometimes, people just wear hats because they look good and not because of the shade that they offer.
But that doesn’t mean you’re forced to stick to those smaller derby hats. A derby hat can definitely serve a practical purpose, and depending on the type of derby hat that you pick, you can find one that provides plenty of shade for you to stay cool throughout the day.
How to Choose The Right Derby Hat
Pick the right color
One thing you’ll notice about derby hats is that they’re often sold in many different colors. As such, you’ll want to carefully choose which hats add to your style and complete your outfit. Stick to your gut and pick a color the way you’d pick any other piece of clothing. At the end of the day, what’s important is that you enjoy what you wear, so sticking to comfort is never a bad thing.
Choose a good design
Aside from being available in many colors, derby hats also come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. The size and shape of the hat will heavily influence your final look, and they’re just as important to consider as color. Fortunately, it’s slightly easier to choose based on design, as they also have a pragmatic aspect to them.
Derby hats with wider brims and more solid materials are great if you want to use derby hats to keep your head cool, as they provide plenty of shade for your face and the top of your head. On the other hand, smaller hats with no brim at all won’t really offer much in the shade department. Functionality may not be as attractive as aesthetics, but it wouldn’t hurt to find something that’s both stylish and comfortable.
