What are the top style trends for Derby? Here are 6 looks from the 2023 KDF Fashion Show

Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal
·3 min read

Razzle, dazzle and pizzazz. The Kentucky Derby Festival Dillard's Spring Fashion Show, which took place Thursday at Caesars Southern Indiana, began with a few moments of ho-hum black and white video projected onto a large screen when suddenly the runway abruptly erupted in vibrant Technicolor.

"I call this year's top fashion trend 'Amazing Technicor' and it feels like everything about fashion has come alive again," said Christine Fellingham, chief branding & innovation officer for Today’s Woman Media, who once again styled and produce the fashion extravaganza. "The colors for spring 2023 are super vibrant with two of the key colors being viva magenta and electrified chartreuse, which is a very bright lime green."

Professional models walked the runway during the annual sold-out event in clothing and accessories from Dillard's and local boutiques including Your Amazing Boutique, Lulubelles, Magnolia & Fig, Mamili, Peplum Boutique, Sapphire on Spring Boutique and That Cute Little Shop.

Of course, in this part of the country, spring fashion also means fashion for the Kentucky Derby and again this year the Offical Milliners for the Kentucky Derby Festival, Rachel Bell and Kate Smith, a.k.a. The Hat Girls, provided heaps of handmade hats and fascinators in every color and size imaginable.

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To help you keep track of what's in for spring fashion 2023, here are the top trends we saw strut the runway at Caesars Southern Indiana.

Vibrant, bold and neon colors took over the runway

At the 2023 KDF Dillard's Fashion Show, the spring color palette features saturated, vibrant colors as well as updated twists on '90s neon. Also there's the femme fatales and ingenues, with ultra-feminine looks from edgy suits to sheer fabrics and florals. And also Red-carpet ready styles with ruffles and big bows. March 30, 2023
At the 2023 KDF Dillard's Fashion Show, the spring color palette features saturated, vibrant colors as well as updated twists on '90s neon. Also there's the femme fatales and ingenues, with ultra-feminine looks from edgy suits to sheer fabrics and florals. And also Red-carpet ready styles with ruffles and big bows. March 30, 2023

The spring color palette features saturated, vibrant colors ranging from royal blue to chartreuse to magenta; there are also some fun, updated twists on 90s neon. We saw new ways to wear these colors in matching, clashing and tonal combinations.

Tropical, 'on vacation' vibes reigned supreme

At the 2023 KDF Dillard's Fashion Show, the spring color palette features saturated, vibrant colors as well as updated twists on '90s neon. Also there's the femme fatales and ingenues, with ultra-feminine looks from edgy suits to sheer fabrics and florals. And also Red-carpet ready styles with ruffles, and big bows. March 30, 2023
At the 2023 KDF Dillard's Fashion Show, the spring color palette features saturated, vibrant colors as well as updated twists on '90s neon. Also there's the femme fatales and ingenues, with ultra-feminine looks from edgy suits to sheer fabrics and florals. And also Red-carpet ready styles with ruffles, and big bows. March 30, 2023

Some of this season's playful prints and breezy shapes make you feel like you're on an instant vacation. We saw resort-inspired looks that could work for many destinations.

Menswear turns it up a notch for Kentucky Derby 2023

At the 2023 KDF Dillard's Fashion Show, men have many choices for suits fitting for the Grandstand at Churchill to evening wear at the parties. March 30, 2023
At the 2023 KDF Dillard's Fashion Show, men have many choices for suits fitting for the Grandstand at Churchill to evening wear at the parties. March 30, 2023

We all know that on Kentucky Derby Day the guys put as much effort into their looks as the ladies. Fashions pulled from Dillard’s Men’s store included fabulous Kentucky Derby suiting and even some elegant evening looks for him. Don't skimp on those top-notch accessories either, men!

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Ultra-feminine looks and sweet floral are in

At the 2023 KDF Dillard's Fashion Show, the spring color palette features saturated, vibrant colors as well as updated twists on '90s neon. Also there's the femme fatales and ingenues, with ultra-feminine looks from edgy suits to sheer fabrics and florals. And also Red-carpet ready styles with ruffles and big bows. March 30, 2023
At the 2023 KDF Dillard's Fashion Show, the spring color palette features saturated, vibrant colors as well as updated twists on '90s neon. Also there's the femme fatales and ingenues, with ultra-feminine looks from edgy suits to sheer fabrics and florals. And also Red-carpet ready styles with ruffles and big bows. March 30, 2023

This season's ultra-feminine looks range from edgy suits and sheer fabrics to sweet florals.

"After a long absence, gaucho pants have made a comeback," Fellingham said. "Also, polished wider-legged shorts, which are part of a suit, will be popular this season."

Mini, midi or maxi? Anything goes with hemlines

At the 2023 KDF Dillard's Fashion Show, the spring color palette features saturated, vibrant colors as well as updated twists on '90s neon. Also there's the femme fatales and ingenues, with ultra-feminine looks from edgy suits to sheer fabrics and florals. And also Red-carpet ready styles with ruffles and big bows. March 30, 2023
At the 2023 KDF Dillard's Fashion Show, the spring color palette features saturated, vibrant colors as well as updated twists on '90s neon. Also there's the femme fatales and ingenues, with ultra-feminine looks from edgy suits to sheer fabrics and florals. And also Red-carpet ready styles with ruffles and big bows. March 30, 2023

A few words on hemlines — they are all over the place for Kentucky Derby spring fashion.

"Either much shorter, much longer, or midi," Fellingham said. "There are so many long maxi dresses for both day and night. I'd say it's a very popular trend, but really, whatever your length is, it's fashionable."

Red carpet ready with sparkles and ruffles for daytime looks

At the 2023 KDF Dillard's Fashion Show, the spring color palette features saturated, vibrant colors as well as updated twists on '90s neon. Also there's the femme fatales and ingenues, with ultra-feminine looks from edgy suits to sheer fabrics and florals. And also Red-carpet ready styles with ruffles and big bows. March 30, 2023
At the 2023 KDF Dillard's Fashion Show, the spring color palette features saturated, vibrant colors as well as updated twists on '90s neon. Also there's the femme fatales and ingenues, with ultra-feminine looks from edgy suits to sheer fabrics and florals. And also Red-carpet ready styles with ruffles and big bows. March 30, 2023

Sparkle, ruffles and big bows translate into memorable gowns and evening looks that are ready for your next photo op. But why limit the sparkle to after-hours?

"Shiny and pearlized fabrics for day and sequins for day is another big trend," said the show's producer. "Fabrics that you traditionally would only wear after 5 p.m. are now showing up much earlier in the day. It's another example of what we saw last year, 'there are no rules in fashion anymore.'"

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Reach Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com or follow her on Twitter at @kirbylouisville.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: What are the 2023 Kentucky Derby fashion trends? See dress, hat styles