The first Saturday of May is an exciting day for many—it is the day of the Kentucky Derby. People look forward to the excitement of the races, but recently, the attendees’ outfits have captured the attention of many viewers. The infield of the derby is the area with the closest view of the horses, and with that close view come high ticket prices and even higher fashion. The derby captures a creative and luxurious look with fancy hats called fascinators. This Southern tradition sets this derby apart from the others, as this event’s main focus, for many, is fashion. Who was best dressed? Who was the worst-dressed? Let’s find out.  

Alix Earle

Alix Earle made sure to come prepared with several looks. Her fame on TikTok gives her a platform to share, so while at the derby, she showed her fans her and her boyfriend, Braxton Berrios’s, outfits. One of her TikToks received 1.3 million likes, which showcased her all-black derby fit, complete with her not-so-matching boyfriend’s outfit. The outfit featured a black Marc Jacobs dress, black heels, a black fascinator, and to top it all off, a mini yellow Chanel bag, giving the perfect pop of color. This look was subtle yet still very elegant. 

Braxton Berrios

Braxton Berrios’s outfits were one of the best at the derby. Unlike many other men, who usually are seen wearing classic black or tan suits, he chose to dress in an exciting and unique pink suit. Paired with his girlfriend Alix Earl’s black leather dress, Berrios stood out in his bubblegum colored outfit. 

Simone Biles

Simone Biles and her husband went to the Kentucky Derby together. As a world-renowned gymnast with several Olympic medals, her appearance at the derby was anticipated. Simone chose to wear an all-purple outfit, which included a purple fascinator. She wore a short purple dress with large purple stones arranged throughout the front. Her fascinator was flat, with two feathers on top to stand out. 

Olivia Dunne

Olivia Dunne, a Bergen County native commonly known as Livvy Dunne, came to her first derby ready with a fashionable black and white polka dot dress and a white Chanel clutch. She even added her own twist on the classic derby look with an oversized fascinator. For another look, she wore a plain, loose, fuchsia colored dress as she said, “Riders up!” a tradition at the Kentucky Derby. 

Jimmy Fallon

Although he didn’t formally attend the 2025 Kentucky Derby, Jimmy Fallon created his own derby, calling it “Tonight Show Puppy Predictors,” where he partnered with Ford in using puppies to predict the top 10 horses in the finals of the derby race.

Overall, the Kentucky Derby was an exciting event, with colorful chic outfits and many celebrity attendees. Fascinators added a touch of uniqueness, and the various twists on classic styles have appealed to many who would like to attend in the future as well. As more influencers have been posting about what they are wearing, the outfits of the derby have become one of the most significant parts of this yearly tradition. With a wide range of simple, classy dresses to sophisticated puffy dresses, the derby welcomes all. And remember, riders up!