may the best horse (and hat) win!

The fashionable Houstonian's guide to the 10 hottest Kentucky Derby parties in town

When it comes to Kentucky Derby style, the ultra-stylish Tootsies creative director, Fady Armanious, says it best: “The bigger the hat, the better.”

Once again, it’s time for little bit of sass, a lot of style, and, of course, two minutes of thrilling horse racing. Houstonians will be donning their best Southern genteel garb and elaborate, decorative hats — or fascinators — for the annual horse race and event held Saturday in May 1 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

“Houstonians are ready to dress up and celebrate, especially after a tough year,” Armanious tells CultureMap.

When selecting an outfit for one of the hottest social events of spring, opt for a lighter color palette. Rarely are pant suits worn, sometimes jumpsuits, but mostly knee-length or longer dresses, Armanious shares. “You’ll see long-sleeve sheer, off the shoulder, and a lot of floral.”

Personal stylist and owner of Trending Style Houston, Elisabeth Webb, tells CultureMap that women can't go wrong with a crisp, voluminous, mid-length dress in Pantone's trendiest color. “The chicest Derby looks are the simplest," she notes. "Monochromatic is always a stand out look.”

Webb’s go-to brands for dressing the part, ranging from low to high, are STAUD, Alexis, Zimmermann, Johanna Ortiz, Texas-native Brandon Maxwell, and KHAITE.

For men, Armanious suggests lighter, more comfortable fabrics and colors. With the event being outdoors, keeping cool is a must in the Houston heat. “Linen is a go-to because it’s breathable,” he says.

“Stay away from darker hues like black and go for white or pastel tones,” Armanious advises. “Seersucker, pinstripes, and checkered suits are popular with men. If pastels aren’t for you, go for navy or khaki.”

Houston’s top restaurants and bars are hosting Kentucky Derby-themed parties with contests, live music, great food, and Derby-inspired style contests. May the best hat win!

Look to these 10 spots to celebrate the Kentucky Derby in style.

Hats, Hearts & Horseshoes
Where: Benefitting Bo’s Place, the annual event, previously hosted at the home of Paige and Tilman Fertitta, is at the Houston Polo Club this year. To purchase a table, visit this site. 4-6 pm, 8552 Memorial Dr.

Talk Derby To Me
Where: The Rustic is hosting an all-day affair, beginning with its Jam & Toast Brunch from 10 am-3 pm. Listen to live music by Remy Reilly and come dressed to impress for a chance to win in three best dressed contests.

The best-dressed couple, best-dressed male, and best-dressed female will each win a $100 gift card to The Rustic. Sip on Mint Juleps, made with Woodford Reserve Bourbon, and snack on Derby-inspired culinary features like Triple Crown Sliders, made with fried green tomatoes, hot chicken, and pulled pork. 1121 Uptown Park Blvd. and 1836 Polk St.

Keep your friends close and your mint juleps closer
Where: Alba Huerta’s Washington Avenue cocktail bar, Julep, reopens this Saturday, May 1 with a COVID-conscious version of their annual Derby Day Party. From noon-6 pm, guests can enjoy four satellite bars, two main bars, mint julep carts, a spirit-free cocktail bar, and the JulepToGo truck.

Expect BBQ and smoked oysters by Blood Brothers BBQ and Feges BBQ, boozy popsicles, a Topo Chico station, lawn games, a live DJ set, a T-shirt pop up by Vinyl Ranch, and of course, a live stream of the race. Tickets are available here. 1919 Washington Ave.

Run with the Romas
Where: Valobra Master Jewelers and Ferrari of Houston are hosting a pre-party from noon - 5 pm. Test drive the 2021 Ferrari Roma and watch the race in your Derby looks.

The latest ride share service, Alto, is transporting party-goers using Valobra’s promo code, which is good for $25 off. 2150 Westheimer Rd.

Patio Party
Where: BB Lemon’s Kentucky Derby patio party will feature DJ Mohawk Steve, a hat contest with prizes, Derby-inspired cocktails by Four Roses Bourbon, and more. Reservations are recommended. Call 713-554-1809 to book. 1809 Washington Ave., 2-6 pm.

Derby Day Party
Where: Swing by Chapman & Kirby’s celebration from noon-8 pm for live music, hookah, gift bags, and more. 2118 Lamar St., Suite 100

Off to the Races
Where: Backstreet Cafe is celebrating the crown jewel of horseracing with all-day drink specials featuring Maker’s Mark, an optional tasting menu with decadent food and cocktails, take-home julep kits, and prizes for the best hats.

The julep and snack kits are available Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1 for $60 and include six servings of Backstreet Cafe’s batched Maker’s Mark Mint Julep with fresh mint and crushed ice; two keepsake Julep cups and a Maker’s Mark insulated cooler bag; and bacon deviled eggs, grilled peach salad, and shrimp and pimento cheese grits.

For those dining in, enjoy the Maker’s Mark three-course brunch cocktail-paired menu for $45, available Saturday, May 1 from 10 am - 4 pm. Call 713-521-2239 for reservations. Maker’s Mark cocktail/flight specials are also available for $10, dine-in or to-go. 1103 S. Shepherd Dr.

Big Hat Weekend
Where: The all-day affair is taking place at Loch Bar in River Oaks District. The seafood tavern will come to life with a best hat contest and several bourbon-inspired cocktail specials, benefitting local nonprofit, Bo’s Place.

Spirits include a Maker’s Mark Flight with Maker’s Mark, Maker’s 46, Maker’s Loch Bar Private Select, and Maker’s Cask Strength ($22); Loch Bar’s rendition of a Mint Julep and a Maker’s Gold Rush cocktail with an edible gold leaf. The eatery will also offer Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders served open face ($16). 4444 Westheimer Rd., Unit G110

Let the Race Begin
Where: From noon-7 pm, William Price Distilling Co. is hosting its inaugural Derby Party featuring DJ Matthew Dunn. Enjoy the cocktail lounge and bites from Zach Cooks BBQ. Tickets are available here. 970 Wakefield Dr.

Gettin’ Down and Derby
Where: Houston’s whiskey destination, Permission Whiskey, is joining forces with Maker’s Mark this Derby Day. Expect a mobile bar, Maker’s Mark glass dipping station, and style prizes with local judge Danielle Dubois, also known as Hangry Houstonian. For reservations, direct message Permission Whiskey on Instagram.

Megan Cushing and Caroline Walter donned their Southern best.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Megan Cushing and Caroline Walter donned their Southern best.

shopping cocktails happy-hours races festivals where-to-shop

CLOSET CLEANSE

6 Houston style pros dish on what fashion trends to keep, store, or donate

Photo courtesy of South to North/Instagram

Bold accessories and statement handbags are just two of the recommendations from Houston's most stylish tastemakers.

If Houston closets could talk, they would be begging for a little breathing room in 2026. With the goal of a wardrobe that feels up-to-date, personal, and very wearable, chasing microtrends is a thing of the past, while editing with purpose is definitely en vogue.

To help separate the one-hit wonders from the wardrobe staples, we've sought advice from some of Houston's most plugged-in style makers on their keep, store, and donate lists. Their recommendations cover voluminous silhouettes, bold accessories, and a collective agreement that some trends have officially overstayed their warm Bayou City welcome. This fashionable group offers a clear and very stylish path forward for the year ahead.

Luisa Babarczy, Co-Founder of South to North

Keep: We’ll continue to see volume in bottoms as a leading trend in 2026: Balloon pants, barrel denim, and wide leg pants.

Store: Ultra-minimal jewelry is taking a back seat, and this year is all about maximalist, bold statement pieces, including brooches, chunky layered necklaces, oversized rings, and stacked bangles. Minimal jewelry will always circle back because it’s a timeless aesthetic, but for now, the mood has definitely shifted toward volume and personality.

Donate: Ultra-micro handbags. Although they were a major trend in 2025, 2026 is shifting toward medium and larger handbags that balance practicality with style. Pieces that comfortably fit everyday essentials while still feeling fashion-forward and event-ready.

Lindsay Curtis and Elin Jackson, Owners of Golden

Keep: Invest in button-down tailored shirts like Frank & Eileen classics, the COH Kayla shirt, and Secular Rene. You can’t go wrong with colors like white, blue, or pastels.

Store: A must to look like you're updated is storing bulky sneakers and switching to sneakerinas.

Donate: Save barrel jeans and coated jeans for winter and switch to new spring denim styles like Frame slim palazzo with the front pocket or Rag & Bone Miramar joggers with a stripe.

Chloe Dao, Founder of Chloe Dao

Keep: First and foremost, I don’t really believe there’s one dominant trend anymore. Over the past few years, style has become much more individual, influenced by a wide range of platforms and sources of inspiration. Because of that, I always recommend keeping well-tailored pieces. Great tailoring never goes out of style. If you have a jacket that makes you feel polished and confident, always keep it — never give it away. Get it tailored and get the fit right. Especially with a jacket, it’s instant polish.

Store: I think fitted/skinny jeans are worth storing. They may not be the most on-trend right now, since barrel-leg and wider styles are more popular, but I truly believe they’ll come back. Straight-leg or slightly fitted jeans always look polished when styled properly.

Donate: Donate low-rise jeans or give them to your daughters. This style is coming back, but unless you have the body of a gym bunny or a rock star, they are brutal. Also, donate Labubus. I personally think they are hideous and such a trend.

Thy Mitchell, Founder of Foreign Fare

Keep: A tailored, elevated travel set. Polished matching tops and bottoms in breathable, wrinkle-resistant fabrics are versatile, flattering, and effortless. They work as well on a flight as they do at a meeting, dinner, or running errands.

Store: Slim-cut denim. Taking a pause as relaxed silhouettes lead, but they will return because they are a sleek, boot-friendly staple.

Donate: Logo overload. For me, when the branding is louder than the design, it usually doesn’t stand the test of time.

Paulina Padilla, Wardrobe Stylist and Fashion Consultant

Keep: Accessories. Keep any accessory with a special detail or one of a kind, whether it’s a fringe jacket, a sparkly brooch to pin on a blazer, a unique evening bag, a cool scarf to wrap around your waist, or throw over your shoulders. These are great pieces to instantly elevate a simple outfit. Carefully edit your accessories because they complete the look.

Store: Sadly, a peplum or bubble hem. I love them, but they unfortunately come and go. Asymmetrical hemlines are replacing them for the moment. Hang on to them, though, because these cuties will come back.

Donate: Toss overly distressed denim. I’ve been styling my clients in clean denim for the last few years, so it’s refreshing to see this trend leave. Clean washes just look more expensive and are 100 percent more chic, polished, and effortless.

Elaine Turner, Founder of Edit by Elaine Turner

Keep: A classic pleated midi skirt. The midi skirt has been a strong statement in fashion for a few seasons now, and I feel it has become just as important as your favorite go-to dress. Midi skirts also give you the opportunity to mix and match and create your individual statement through layering.

Store: I always recommend holding on to treasured accessory pieces that evoke a sense of ladylike nostalgia. A top-handle bag that has been passed down by your mother or grandmother, an antique brooch, or your favorite, classic silk scarf — these timeless accessories never truly go out of style and deserve a permanent place in your wardrobe. Not only do they carry sentimental value, but we’re also seeing many of these elements re-emerge on the runways this season, styled in fresh, modern ways.

Donate: Overly distressed denim, especially exaggerated styles with heavy rips and slashes, are best left behind. These pieces were very much tied to a specific moment and don’t translate well into the more refined, intentional direction fashion is moving toward.

chloe dao south to north elaine turner paulina padilla thy mitchell golden houston fashion