With the Kentucky Derby set for May 2, all eyes aren’t just on the horses—they’re on the hats. Known for bold, colorful, and often extravagant headwear, Derby fashion has become just as iconic as the race itself. But how do Americans really feel about Kentucky Derby hats?

According to ongoing CivicScience data collected since 2020 from nearly 17K respondents, opinions are mixed. Twenty-five percent say they’re fans of Derby hats, while 28% say they dislike them. The remaining share say they feel neutral or have no opinion, highlighting that while the hats are a signature part of the event, they’re far from universally loved.

Demographically, Gen X adults aged 45–54 are the most likely to like Kentucky Derby hats, while Gen Z leads in disliking them. Women are more likely than men to be fans, along with those in high-income households, urban residents, and those living in the Northeast.

But demographics aren’t the only thing shaping opinions on Derby fashion. CivicScience data reveal clear differences in style preferences and behaviors between those who like the hats and those who don’t:

• Matching outfits: 43% of Derby hat fans say they’re okay with wearing matching outfits with their spouse or partner, compared to 28% of those who don’t like the hats.
• Airplane attire: Those who like Derby hats are more likely to say they wear loose and comfortable clothing when flying (58%), outpacing non-fans by 14 points, who lead in wearing standard or dressier outfits.
• Dressing up: 42% of hat fans say they enjoy dressing up for special occasions, compared to just 16% of those who don’t like Derby hats.
• Sparkly clothing: Hat fans are more than three times as likely to say they love wearing sparkly clothing (23% vs. 7%).
• Sports documentaries: Nearly 20% of Derby hat fans say they are big fans of sports documentaries, compared to just 6% of non-fans.