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Dress in Derby duds for a day at the races

No matter which horse wins, you’ll be a style winner with these fashion tips

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  Kentucky Derby fashions
April 30: Amy Goodman from All You magazine shows off some great styles to wear to a Kentucky Derby party.

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By Amy E. Goodman
Senior editor, All You
TODAY
updated 11:21 a.m. ET April 30, 2009

The Kentucky Derby, held the first Saturday in May, is an iconic American sports tradition. But unlike the Superbowl or the World Series, where fans flaunt jerseys and face paint, the Derby sports top-notch fashion. Sure, the mint juleps are cool, but the hats are hot.

Whether you attend the race at Churchill Downs, cheer the jockeys from a bar or host a spread at home, we’ve rounded up practical, budget-wise fashion for every Race for the Roses celebration. No matter which horse crosses the finish line, you can be a style winner.

Go to the Derby
Those who flock to the track in Louisville, Kentucky, take their attire seriously. Traditionally women pair elegant summer dresses with a statement-making hat. This spring, with the abundance of floral print dresses, you have numerous choices. While many die-hard Derby attendees have their hats custom-made, you can save a bundle by purchasing a basic hat and creatively adding the trimmings yourself.

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Watch the Derby at a restaurant
We know the rules for watching sports: Cheer for your team like there’s no tomorrow, pass the snacks and don’t block the TV! So to sport your winning look when watching the Derby at a bar, think with your head and ditch an obstructive hat. Instead, embrace a chic headband with embellishment — an uber-hot trend this spring. Go casual with jeans and a feminine blouse and remember to buy a round for your friends if your lucky filly wins!

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Dress for a Derby party … out of your closet
Don’t want to spend a cent but still want to look fashionable? Place a bet on your closet for a stunning ensemble. Select a basic dress in a solid hue like bold citrus tones or blues and pinks, seasonal colors that pop. Take a cue from our fashionable first lady and don a belt to cinch your waist. Pull out accessories that hit the mark for today’s trends like bangles, a clutch and a floral pin. Don some strappy sandals and a complementary hat and watch out, Derby party … here you come!

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Go to an outdoor barbecue
Any outdoor party can be a casual affair, but why not dress the part of a true garden party maven? Large graphic prints have a modern-day appeal and add a fresh accent to a simple white shift. Counter the neutral hues of the dress and brown sandals with an electric green hat. The only thing missing from our garden ensemble? Red roses, a signature sign of a winning Derby finish.

What you see on TODAY:

  • Dress: Marshalls, $29.99; 1.800.MARSHALLS or visit www.marshallsonline.com for store locations
  • Hat: Scala, $39; 800-367-3626 for more info
  • Flower pin: Scala $9; 800-367-3626 for more info
  • Shoes: Marshall's, $19.99; 1.800.MARSHALLS or visit www.marshallsonline.com for store locations

Breast cancer tribute
The Kentucky Oaks 135 race is held the Friday before the Derby, and supports Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a national charity. Oaks Day encourages women of all ages to come to the track and celebrate sisterhood, celebrity and fashion — the latter being a “pink out” that encourages attendees to wear pink in support of the fight against breast cancer. Here, we’ve matched variations on a pink theme through the V-neck empire dress, self-styled hat and patterned shoe.

What you see on TODAY:

On Amy E. Goodman:

On Hoda Kotb:

On Kathie Lee Gifford:

  • Black and white hat with peacock feather: Christine Moore Millinery; www.camhats.com

For more tips like these, log onto All You magazine’s Web site.

© 2009 MSNBC Interactive.  Reprints

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