Why do people were hats at the Kenturky derby?

Question

Everywhere I look there is this guy in a funny hat, well why?

I came here like 11 months ago and do not know that much about American sports.

by the way I AM BORED

Answer 1

So they aren't mistaken for horses!

Answer 2

Custom, like a Pygmalion thing...

Answer 3

it's been a tradition

Answer 4

I think some wear them for shade and just cause it's tradition at the Derby. The bald men or men with thining hair probably wear them so that the top of their heads don't get sun burned lol ;-)

Answer 5

so they do not have to comb thier hair

Answer 6

its just a status thing i guess. you always see the rich women with their husbands wearing the extravagant hats

Answer 7

Tradition.   Half of them also have mint juleps in their hand too (another tradition)

Answer 8

It's a snooty remnant handed down from British race mentality.....they think it boosts their intellectuality and status to appear snootily aloof....!As there's no American nobility....this is as close as it gets.!

Answer 9

The Kentucky Derby is always run on a Saturday, the day that Americans "as a tradition" do not comb their hair.

Answer 10

I, personally do not wear hats for the Derby, but I buy a green pimp hat whilst in the infield last Derby.

Hats seem to be a big deal at derby for a long time.  I didn't know why, but then I read this:

What is the historical significance of wearing a hat on Derby Day?

Hats of various shape, size and functionality have been worn throughout history by both men and women. At one time it was considered proper etiquette to wear a hat outside the house and to go without one would practically reduce your social standing to that of a common beggar. In fact, it wasn't out of the ordinary for women to change their hats several times a day, depending on where they were going and whom they were going to be seen by.

More to the point, however, hats have played an important role in the history of horse racing for centuries, dating as far back as the world famous Royal Ascot in the United Kingdom, where it is decreed that 'all guests within the Royal Enclosure adhere to a strict dress code: male attendees must wear full morning dress including a top hat, whilst ladies must not show bare midriffs or shoulders and must wear hats'.

It didn't take long for the royal dress code to catch on at the major racetracks in the United States. Albeit a less severe dress code than the Royal Ascot, Churchill Downs patrons taking in the Kentucky Derby in particular have been enjoying this respected tradition since 1875.