Jenna Lyons Brings Her Signature New York Style to Kentucky Derby with a "Hatinator"
The Real Housewives of New York City's Jenna Lyons kept her no-nonsense style while adding a Southern touch at the Run For The Roses, adding a cross between a hat and fascinator to her look.
Jenna Lyons of The Real Housewives of New York City brought Big Apple style to the 2023 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
Although the Derby is all about the bright, spring colors and seersucker, Jenna chose to wear a black-and-white ensemble. Her pinstripe blazer, white button-down shirt, and striped socks were all by Thom Browne, according to her Instagram.
The former J. Crew Creative director also stepped into J. Crew loafers,and accessorized with a Saint Laurent bag and black sunglasses in place of her usual signature frames.
See Jenna Lyons' Hat for Kentucky Derby
But the most important part of her Derby look was, of course, the hat.
Jenna revealed her black tulle hat adorned with white flowers was from Dorra Marra, a New York-based shop for headpieces, fascinators, Derby headpieces, and even masquerade masks, according to its Instagram.
Jenna, a noted fashion icon, chose this hat for a reason, as Dorra Marra accessories have been on runways at New York’s Fashion Week, as well as at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal wedding, according to the shop’s Etsy page. All of the designs are hand-crafted, and range in price from $30 for more simple headbands to $550.
RELATED: New RHONY Cast Member Jenna Lyons Is a Met Gala Regular — See Her Best Looks
Back in 2014, NBC News reported on the Derby “hatinator” trend, a midsize hybrid between the smaller fascinator and traditional brimmed hat. Fascinators became more popular in recent years after Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie of York wore over-the-top fascinators at Prince William and Kate Middleton’s royal wedding. Fascinators tend to be smaller, more detailed pieces that are perched on the head at an angle rather than resting straight on top.
Jenna proved this trend is still going strong now at the Run For The Roses.
Who Attended the Kentucky Derby?
Lyons wasn’t the only ‘Housewife to strut her style at the Kentucky Derby. The Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Sanya Richards-Ross wore a flowered dress and eye-catching pink flowered fascinator to this year’s derby as well, as she served as a fashion/lifestyle reporter with NBC News’ Dylan Dreyer.
Bravo stars have gone often in the past. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave showed off her fashion sense at the Derby in 2018 along with her husband, Edwin, and her children. Teddi wore a tan decorative hat that matched her flowered dress.
Other Bravolebs, including Vanderpump Rules' Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright (a Kentucky native herself), also went to the Derby that year. Brittany wore a black fascinator with her red dress. And the hats aren’t just for women: Top Chef’s Graham Elliot and Tom Colicchio both wore festive looks and hats at the race that year as Kentucky hosted the show’s 16th season.
Jenna Lyons' Fashion Through the Years
Jenna is well-known for her fashion sense. The former J. Crew president and executive creative director has attended many a Met Gala, and even reported on the 2023 event for Live From E!: The Met Gala 2023.
“I have to say it will never get old,” she told her fellow panelists Zanna Roberts Rassi, Zuri Hall, and Jonathan Van Ness of the Met Gala. “It’s one of the most magical nights. You just kind of black out.”
She even recalled one moment that she'll never forget from fashion's biggest night: when photographers were repeatedly screaming her name on the red carpet.
“I thought that they were wanting to take my picture,” she said. “I realized that they just wanted me to move because Rihanna was behind me.”
See more of Jenna's fashion during The Real Housewives of New York City premiere on Sunday, July 16 at 9/8c on Bravo and the next day on Peacock.
