The 144th Kentucky Derby takes place in Louisville tomorrow, Saturday, May 5th. As such, we’re getting two big drankin days in one—Cinco de Mayo and the Derby, in an event many are simply calling “Cinco de Derby.”
We can only imagine that the outfits—and especially the derby hats—will be wilder than ever tomorrow, as folks both in Kentucky and across America ingest an almost obscene amount of mint juleps and margaritas. To celebrate in advance, we’re taking a look back at some of the finest “fashion fails” the Derby has had to offer us. And yeah, we know, many of the Derby looks are self-aware (particularly the hats), but that doesn’t make some of them any less spectacularly odd and cringeworthy.
Let’s go!

Former NSYNC member, Joey Fatone, needs to say “bye, bye, bye” to that getup. (Wooo, did ya see what we did there?!)

He gets a point for color coordination but you just gotta question the wisdom of the perforated, semi-transparent polo.

This young lady sought to answer that question.

This is one of those where we can’t actually tell whether the hat is being worn in jest or not (we’re leaning toward no), but it looks like a large bird has taken up residence atop Mr. Weir’s head.

This guy is 100% in on the joke that is his outfit. Still, it’s too wondrous for us not to feature—that beard is everything.

The Derby takes place in late spring but this woman went with drab neutral colors. It looks more like a centerpiece at a Thanksgiving table.

Image Credit: Dylan Buell
Pretty sure these guys showed up at the wrong event.

A very awkward hat depicting the derby itself. We actually dig it—we’re only concerned that it must have been hell for this nice lady to navigate the crowds with it on.

Image Credit: Dylan Buell
Look closely—this derby hat has a fake head mounted on the back of it. We need say nothing more.

There’s just so much going on here. We’re completely overwhelmed.

Oh, Gronk. Always doing the most.