Need hat and hairstyle ideas for Kentucky Derby orchestra performance May 2nd

[LauraLongLocks]

I have an orchestra performance coming up on May 2nd and the theme is Kentucky Derby. We have been instructed not to wear our regular concert black. I'm a few rows back in the viola section, so not many audience members will see me, but I still want to look nice. The biggest thing about ladies fashions for the Kentucky Derby is the hat. I have not chosen my hat yet. So I need some ideas on both the hat and a hairstyle. Since I am going to be wearing a hat, I am thinking some sort of intricate braid would look really nice. I'm going to wear this dress you see here in the photos, with the bolero (my religious community's modesty standards don't allow showing of the bare shoulders... whatever, don't ask me why... I don't get what is so sexy about shoulders when cleavage abounds at church meetings... I just don't want to raise eyebrows if anyone from church shows up to the performance). The color of the pattern and tie in the dress is chocolate brown. I have some neutral champagne-metallic colored sandals I can wear with it.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b270/Bestbirth/2015-04-08%2010.31.25.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/Bestbirth/media/2015-04-08%2010.31.25.jpg.html)

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b270/Bestbirth/2015-04-08%2010.33.38.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/Bestbirth/media/2015-04-08%2010.33.38.jpg.html)

If you have any specific Etsy stores I should visit for hat ideas, I would be grateful for the links. One thing is I don't want a HUGE hat that will shade my view of my sheet music. It needs to be a bit trim, but fancy and with lots of gawdy decorations/flowers.

ETA: Yes, we're Boise State fans and have our bathroom decorated in Boise State University everything. It was an easy room to allow my husband to decorate with all the BSU stuff he wanted and saves having the rest of the house decorated that way, ha ha!

[Mustang Suzy]

Laura,
Fascinators are also very chic for Derby. They would let you show off your hair with a fancy crown braid or multiple small braids.

I'm thinking low bun or over the shoulder fishtail braid for the hair with one of these hats:

Chocolate brown wide brim hat. https://www.etsy.com/listing/222619856/chocolate-brown-wide-brim-hat-ladies?ref=sr_gallery_9&ga_search_query=ladies+hats&ga_page=28&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

Brown white woven hat. https://www.etsy.com/listing/209621427/vintage-1940s-large-wide-brimmed-ladies?ref=sr_gallery_13&ga_search_query=ladies+hats&ga_page=6&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

Cocoa hat with ribbon and flower. https://www.etsy.com/listing/192853979/ladies-cocoa-hat-bonnet-derby?ref=sr_gallery_10&ga_search_query=ladies+derby+hats&ga_page=5&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

Cream open weave with netting. https://www.etsy.com/listing/224054019/hat-ladies-cream-open-weave-bumper?ref=sc_1&plkey=f8fb765755492f0da886dc7bef01fba2d0c099ed%3A2 24054019&ga_search_query=ladies+hats&ga_page=15&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

White with flower and netting. https://www.etsy.com/listing/129051336/vintage-white-hat-ladies-hat-womens?ref=sr_gallery_34&ga_search_query=ladies+hats&ga_page=17&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

White straw with grosgrain ribbon. https://www.etsy.com/listing/209542464/vintage-1980s-white-wide-brim-straw?ref=sr_gallery_2&ga_search_query=white+ladies+hat+with+grosgrain+ri bbon&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

[LauraLongLocks]

Laura,
Fascinators are also very chic for Derby. They would let you show off your hair with a fancy crown braid or multiple small braids.

I'm thinking low bun or over the shoulder fishtail braid for the hair with one of these hats:

Chocolate brown wide brim hat. https://www.etsy.com/listing/222619856/chocolate-brown-wide-brim-hat-ladies?ref=sr_gallery_9&ga_search_query=ladies+hats&ga_page=28&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

Brown white woven hat. https://www.etsy.com/listing/209621427/vintage-1940s-large-wide-brimmed-ladies?ref=sr_gallery_13&ga_search_query=ladies+hats&ga_page=6&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

Cocoa hat with ribbon and flower. https://www.etsy.com/listing/192853979/ladies-cocoa-hat-bonnet-derby?ref=sr_gallery_10&ga_search_query=ladies+derby+hats&ga_page=5&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

Cream open weave with netting. https://www.etsy.com/listing/224054019/hat-ladies-cream-open-weave-bumper?ref=sc_1&plkey=f8fb765755492f0da886dc7bef01fba2d0c099ed%3A2 24054019&ga_search_query=ladies+hats&ga_page=15&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

White with flower and netting. https://www.etsy.com/listing/129051336/vintage-white-hat-ladies-hat-womens?ref=sr_gallery_34&ga_search_query=ladies+hats&ga_page=17&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

White straw with grosgrain ribbon. https://www.etsy.com/listing/209542464/vintage-1980s-white-wide-brim-straw?ref=sr_gallery_2&ga_search_query=white+ladies+hat+with+grosgrain+ri bbon&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

Those are all very nice, and within my budget. Thanks for the ideas.

[Mustang Suzy]

Glad to help out! Hope you find something that works for you.

[AspenSong]

Found a few as well! I definitely went looking for gawdy. lol.

One (https://www.etsy.com/listing/220544179/kentucky-derby-hat-wedding-hat-tea-party?ref=sr_gallery_9&ga_search_query=kentucky+derby+hat&ga_order=price_desc&ga_max=40&ga_page=4&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery)

Two (https://www.etsy.com/listing/226541483/vintage-kentucky-derby-hat-ivory-3-white?ref=sr_gallery_23&ga_search_query=kentucky+derby+hat&ga_order=price_desc&ga_max=40&ga_page=4&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery)

Three (https://www.etsy.com/listing/218057000/lilac-lavender-sinamay-hat-fascinator?ref=sr_gallery_42&ga_search_query=kentucky+derby+hat&ga_order=price_desc&ga_max=40&ga_page=4&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery)

Four (https://www.etsy.com/listing/194104246/purple-sinamay-hat-fascinator-with?ref=sr_gallery_19&ga_search_query=kentucky+derby+hat&ga_order=price_desc&ga_max=40&ga_page=5&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery)

Five (https://www.etsy.com/listing/212328713/1940s1950s-red-hat-w-flowers-the-may-co?ref=sr_gallery_31&ga_search_query=kentucky+derby+hat&ga_order=price_desc&ga_max=30&ga_page=4&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery)

Six (https://www.etsy.com/listing/229541737/kentucky-derby-black-white-hat?ref=sr_gallery_12&ga_search_query=kentucky+derby+hat&ga_order=price_desc&ga_max=30&ga_page=3&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery)

Seven (https://www.etsy.com/listing/224435607/pink-straw-kentucky-derby-floppy-hat?ref=sr_gallery_3&ga_search_query=kentucky+derby+hat&ga_order=price_desc&ga_max=30&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery)

[Nini]

Do you have any restriction on size? I'm just thinking of the sightline from musicians to the director ;)

[LauraLongLocks]

Oddly enough, we weren't given any size restrictions.

I love this one!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/220544179/kentucky-derby-hat-wedding-hat-tea-party?ref=sr_gallery_9&ga_search_query=kentucky+derby+hat&ga_order=price_desc&ga_max=40&ga_page=4&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

But... I already decided on a different one and ordered it. <sigh> Oh well, if I hate the other one when it gets here I can get this one and return the other one. I just don't like returning stuff that has been mail-ordered.

This is the one I ordered:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b270/Bestbirth/Kentucky%20derby%20hat%202.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/Bestbirth/media/Kentucky%20derby%20hat%202.jpg.html)

Your posts gave me a lot of inspiration and helped set me in the right direction. Thank you!

[Calaelen]

Ooh this sounds fun. I think a brown or white/ivory depending on the bolero colour hat would be easiest to match. Although a pop pf a bright blue, orange, or red could also work depending on the style of the hat.
Here is a quick search I did of things I think would work with your outfit.
As for hair style, it really depends on the hat, so I would choose that first. The ones with stars are ones I think would work particularly well with your chosen ensemble.

one (https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/209501223/1940s-womens-hat-brown-satin-silk?ref=sr_gallery_2&ga_search_query=hat&ga_vintage_rewrite=vintage+hat&ga_original_query=2&ga_page=4&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery)

two* (https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/217639164/vintage-white-flowered-wedding-hat?ref=sr_gallery_19&ga_search_query=hat&ga_vintage_rewrite=vintage+hat&ga_original_query=2&ga_page=4&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery)

three (https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/227234313/vintage-1930s-twist-hat?ref=listing-shop-header-1)

I don't know if it'd work with the ensemble, but check out this masterpiece! I would buy it if I wasn't on a total spending freeze (https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/200598290/vintage-50s-hat-1950s-red-hat-bertha?ref=sr_gallery_34&ga_search_query=hat&ga_vintage_rewrite=vintage+hat&ga_original_query=2&ga_page=4&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery)

five (https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/194069607/40s-hat-ladies-40s-brown-hat-vintage-40s?ref=sr_gallery_21&ga_search_query=brown+hat&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_vintage_rewrite=vintage+brown+hat&ga_original_query=2&ga_orig_facet=vintage&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery)


six* (https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/187503147/womens-white-satin-pillbox-dress-hat?ref=sr_gallery_15&ga_search_query=white++pillbox+hat&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery)

seven* (https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/200222076/elegant-x-wedding-sinamay-bundle-blossom?ref=sr_gallery_34&ga_search_query=white++pillbox+hat&ga_page=4&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery)

eight (https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/204061810/1980s-cap-vintage-80s-bone-wedding-bow?ref=sr_gallery_21&ga_search_query=white++pillbox+hat&ga_page=7&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery)

nine (https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/224985526/vintage-1970s80s-white-pill-box-hat-with?ref=sr_gallery_32&ga_search_query=white++pillbox+hat&ga_page=8&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery)

eleven* (https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/226441008/vintage-hat-white-velour-rhinestone?ref=sr_gallery_42&ga_search_query=white++pillbox+hat&ga_page=8&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery)

twelve (https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/203153240/1960s-metallic-silver-on-white-brocade?ref=sr_gallery_42&ga_search_query=white++pillbox+hat&ga_page=9&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery)

thirteen* (https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/229512064/vintage-60s-pleated-nylon-hat-pure-white?ref=sc_3&plkey=c4a0120400882b42c1a1152b32e9321e7b2b8bfb%3A2 29512064&ga_search_query=white++pillbox+hat&ga_page=10&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery)

fourteen (https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/203170408/late-1940s-1950s-autumn-cinnamon-brown?ref=sr_gallery_35&ga_search_query=brown+hat&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_vintage_rewrite=vintage+brown+hat&ga_original_query=2&ga_orig_facet=vintage&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery)

fifteen (https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/189285996/vintage-brown-felt-high-fashion-hat?ref=sr_gallery_5&ga_search_query=brown+hat&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_vintage_rewrite=vintage+brown+hat&ga_original_query=2&ga_orig_facet=vintage&ga_page=4&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery)

sixteen (https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/210256148/hat-womens-vintage-hat-brown-fur-felt?ref=sr_gallery_23&ga_search_query=brown+hat&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_vintage_rewrite=vintage+brown+hat&ga_original_query=2&ga_orig_facet=vintage&ga_page=4&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery)

seventeen (https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/129053931/chocolate-brown-velvet-and-felt-1950s?ref=sr_gallery_27&ga_search_query=brown+hat&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_vintage_rewrite=vintage+brown+hat&ga_original_query=2&ga_orig_facet=vintage&ga_page=4&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery)

eighteen (https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/222096192/brown-felt-veiled-hat-vtg-40s-50s?ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_search_query=brown+hat&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_vintage_rewrite=vintage+brown+hat&ga_original_query=2&ga_orig_facet=vintage&ga_page=6&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery)

nineteen (https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/172407413/1950s-brown-felt-hat-julie-kay-chicago?ref=sr_gallery_31&ga_search_query=brown+hat&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_vintage_rewrite=vintage+brown+hat&ga_original_query=2&ga_orig_facet=vintage&ga_page=6&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery)

twenty (https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/191607383/vintage-brown-felt-pillbox-hat-70s-ussr?ref=sr_gallery_13&ga_search_query=brown+hat&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_vintage_rewrite=vintage+brown+hat&ga_original_query=2&ga_orig_facet=vintage&ga_page=7&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery)

twentyone* (https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/155243470/vintage-ladies-close-hat-brown-velvet?ref=sr_gallery_36&ga_search_query=brown+hat&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_vintage_rewrite=vintage+brown+hat&ga_original_query=2&ga_orig_facet=vintage&ga_page=7&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery)

ETA the hat you say you love, and the one you say you ordered are the same link...I wanna see what you got! :D

[LauraLongLocks]

Oh! Oops. I will post the correct link when I get back on my computer.

[mssummerrose]

Laura Long Locks, I would love to see a photo of your day-of-event hat and hair! (Back view is fine, of course!) This is such a fun idea for a performance!

[LauraLongLocks]

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b270/Bestbirth/Kentucky%20derby%20hat%202.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/Bestbirth/media/Kentucky%20derby%20hat%202.jpg.html)

This hat has the brown feathers that should go with the dress, a champagne ribbon that should go with my champagne shoes, and white flowers which will go with my bolero. To tie in the main pale yellow color of the hat, I will look for jewelry to compliment it.