For horse racing aficionados, the Kentucky Derby is the height of the season; for fashion observers, the hats take precedence even to horse racing. At Churchill Downs last Sunday, the 134th Derby more than lived up to expectations with the beautiful parade of hats.

Molly Sims

From French blue silk chiffon hat worn by Molly Sim (above) designed by Eric Javits and sponsored by Grey Goose Vodka to the eye-catching decorated hard hat featuring two motorized horses that rotated worn by Skip Koepnick, its every girl and every man for himself when it came to hats yesterday.

With Chelsea Clinton, former President Bill Clinton and presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton among the VIPs, the red carpet is an eclectic mix. Country music singer Travis Tritt; Playboy founder Hugh Hefner; and celebrity chef Bobby Flay and his wife Stephanie March who is an actress were there.

Enough of the list of celebrities; here are the hats:

Kentucky Derby Hats at the Los Angeles Times

Hats, Hats & More Hats at the Derby at Kentucky Post

[MILAN WESTIN]