I am excited to have been invited to the Kentucky Derby! I’ve never gone, so I decided to do a little research. I started looking for hats. OMG! Who knew they could be so expensive! When I was growing up, my dad would tell me that I had Champagne taste on a beer budget and when I started looking at hats, I knew exactly what he meant. Every hat I decided I loved was in excess of $500. This beautiful hat in my favorite 2 colors is over $700. My son asked “Why don’t you go to Walmart and just make you a hat?” I laughed, although it is a great idea, first of all, I know NOTHING about making a great looking hat. Secondly, wouldn’t showing up at the Derby on Millionaires Row with a Walmart hat go over about as well as a fart in a car? While I am not willing to spend $700 on a hat that I’m pretty certain I will never wear again, I would also like to show up in a hat that looks a lot better than the one Minnie Pearl wore. She was funny enough to pull that look off.
I ventured to Neiman Marcus, Nordstroms and Dillards this afternoon thinking I have some planning to do so lets see what they have to offer. Who knew that even in Florida, they actually get hats specifically for the Derby and I’m about a month early. Based on my research, you put your outfit together around the hat, I’m a bit nervous and excited about the prospect of what these hats that will flood the Florida market will look like. Anyone have any knowledge of where to get a great looking hat at a modest price? When I say modest, I mean really great looking for oh, around $100. Help! 🙂
I did a search on Louisville consignment shops. Here’s the link http://www.google.com/search?q=Louisville+consignment+shops&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
I know you are in FL, but these shops have e-mail addresses, you could contact them to see if any of the Derby gals are trying to unload last year’s hats. I’m sure they would be happy to take a picture of what they have and you see if there is anything that you like.
From there, you may be able to pick it up when you arrive or they could sent it to you.
Just a thought… Have fun!!
Fantastic idea! My partner in crime (who lives in Vegas) started asking her showgirl friends. When she told me she’d found a hat that was too big to fit in a hat box, I got a little concerned. LOL, I like your idea much better because I may not have to worry about transporting it at all. Thanks so much, this would be why you’re “the Sensei” 🙂
I’m looking forward to seeing what you get. Be sure to post a photo!