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Style Scenario: The Affordable Kentucky Derby Party Outfit

April 26, 2016 By Dappered Team | Heads up: Buying via our links results in us getting a commission (not always, but just about), which helps keep the lights on around here. We also take your privacy rights seriously. Head here to learn more.

What are you going to wear? Sometimes it’s good to look at a few suggestions then add your own tweaks and ideas. That’s what these are for. The Derby is coming up, and it’s as good a reason as any to get together with friends and knock back a mint julep or some bourbon over ice. The guys get dressed up, the gals wear dresses and big hats, and it can end up being a complete blast. Here’s how to look the part while still having a few bucks left over to go to the window with (even if the “window” is a hat placed on a chair in the living room of the host’s house).

Style Scenario: The Affordable Kentucky Derby Party Outfit | Dappered.com

The Suit: J. Crew Factory Thompson Seersucker Blazer – $117.50 & Pants – $68.50. Invoking the most traditional look for a Derby outfit here. If you have no desire to invest in a seersucker suit, you can easily pair a summerweight blazer with light pants for a derbyfied look.

The Shirt: UNIQLO Easy Care Broadcloth Dress Shirt – $29.90 ($39.90). Can’t really go wrong on the price of these things. They may not last as long as a Brooks Brothers or Ledbury shirt, but it’ll get the job done. Plus, if your horse wins and you slosh bourbon on your shirt in a fit of ecstasy, it won’t be the end of the world.

The Belt: UNIQLO Italian Washed Leather Belt – $29.90. Sure you’re in a suit, but it’s a more casual fabric. So a more casual belt will look much better than a highly polished one. It’ll also go better with the suede bucks, all while avoiding the “matchy-matchy-ness” that can come with matching suede shoes to a suede belt.

The Watch: Skagen Holst Multifunction – $116.25. Fairly clean and simple. Mid-size at 40mm, with day and date dials. Prime eligible through Amazon. Big fan of this thing. Review of the black leather strap option can be found here.

The Tie: TheTieBar Textured Solid Silk Knit Tie – $25.00. A bow tie is the classic derby play, but this is an attempt to walk the line between looking fun & traditional, and costumey. So a silk knit tie is a good way to go here.

The Shoes: 1901 ‘Richmond’ Bucks – $99.95. One of Nordstrom’s house brands. Solid, consistent value for the money, plus free shipping and free returns. A classic buck. Plenty of colors to pick from too.

The Sunglasses: Cole Haan Modified Wayfarers – $29.97 ($125). Marked down through Nordstrom Rack for a very reasonable price. Modeled after a wayfarer, but with a more rounded shape and keyhole cutout at the bridge.

The Non alcoholic beverage: Q-Tonic Water. On the pricey side, but a nice, lightly sweet & plenty tart way to pace yourself if it’s going to be a long afternoon. Mint Juleps can pack a punch. Drink plenty of water, and pace yourself with these.

The Reminder: Bring cash! Singles preferably. See #5 over here for how to setup an unmanned betting window at your party. And to avoid fisticuffs, keep it to a buck a name (not $5 or $10… degenerates will ruin the fun).

The 2016 Kentucky Derby is Saturday May 7th. Top Photo: J. Poe

Filed Under: Accessories, Clothing, Shoes, Watches Tagged With: style scenario

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