As any seasoned Kentucky Derby-goer knows, your hat isn't just an accessory — it's the statement piece of your outfit.

Do you choose an elegant wide-brimmed hat or a sassy smaller fascinator? Will you be celebrating trackside on Millionaires Row at Churchill Downs, or perhaps your Kentucky Derby day will be spent at a house party with friends?

These are the questions any professional hat maker will want to know as he or she helps you search for that perfect statement headpiece for the 148th Run for the Roses held this year on May 7.

And guys, you're in the hat game, too. Straw fedoras, boaters, bowlers and Panama styles are popular men's fashions at the Kentucky Derby.

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But where does the hat-wearing tradition come from? According to the Kentucky Derby website, the tradition was started by founder Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark, Jr., who modeled the race after high-class European racing events where many men and women are seen sporting fashionable hats. The fashion caught on so well that in 2022, you'll be in the minority if you aren't sporting some style of headpiece at the Kentucky Derby. 

Milliners — professional hatmakers for the uninitiated — know just how important the hat is at the Kentucky Derby and how it can absolutely make or break your outfit. In fact, you can't toss a stick in Louisville during Kentucky Derby week without hitting a hat maker's display. They set up in hotel lobbies, clothing boutiques, museums and specialty shops around town to help those last-minute or out-of-town shoppers find the perfect hat for Derby Day.

But here's the thing — you don't want to find yourself in mid-April nearing the final turn and racing toward the wire on May 7 without a hat in hand. 

Rachel Bell, co-owner of The Hat Girls, a Louisville millinery shop in St. Matthews, says savvy customers begin working with a milliner at least four to six weeks before Kentucky Derby weekend — which means time is already running out.

If you plan to wear a ready-made hat instead of a custom build, your best selection will start showing up on store shelves, at trunk shows and fashion events beginning in the first weeks of March.

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Louisville goes a tiny bit hat crazy between now and the first Saturday in May, so to help you navigate your 2022 hat hunt, we've put together a list of Kentucky milliners and upcoming hat events to help you get you started. 

After reading through this alphabetical list, we suggest you spend some time on the website of these milliners viewing their 2022 collections. Each hat maker has its own signature style and we're sure you'll find one that speaks to your Kentucky Derby spirit.

Angie Schultz has been making hats in Louisville for more than 20 years. "A hat is a perfect way to 'blend-out' and make a personal statement," said Schultz. "It always amazes me to watch women try on their hat and visually see the assurance and confidence it brings to them."

SHOP: Schultz's 2022 collection is available by appointment and on her website, attitudesbyangie.com. You can also find her at Rodeo Drive, 2212 Holiday Manor Center. On April 12, Schultz's hats will be featured during a virtual trunk show from 7-9 p.m. on the “Shop Rodeo Drive" App. If you leave it to the last minute, you can find her at the Louisville Marriott Downtown, 280 W. Jefferson St., on May 5,12-8 p.m., May 6, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and May 7, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

MORE INFORMATION: 502-419- 3600; AttitudesbyAngie.com

After years of making hats for friends and family, Veronic Stivers decided to turn her passion for making Kentucky Derby fascinators into a business. In 2019, she took the leap and launched Big Day Hat Design with the goal of producing affordable art that makes the wearer feel truly special.

"I am inspired by materials to create fascinators with unique personalities," said Stivers. "Each fascinator is named after a different lady whose name I feel evokes the spirit of the piece."

SHOP: Big Day Hat Design's pop-up shop is now open at Oxmoor Centre,7900 Shelbyville Road. Customers can also place custom orders and browse and shop online.

INFORMATION: Call 502-432-5077 and visit bigdayhatdesign.com. 

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A featured milliner of the 148th Kentucky Derby and now the Kentucky Derby Museum, Christine Moore travels extensively throughout the country to outfit men and women in the perfect hat. From the Kentucky Derby to The Belmont Stakes, the Santa Anita Park to Breeders Cup, Moore has an international following of devoted customers who love her hand-painted silk flower petals, bows and comfortable designs with elegant touches.   

SHOP: Moore holds a number of trunk shows in Kentucky, including April 8-10 at Keeneland Racetrack in Lexington, April 20-23 at Rodes for Her, 4938 Brownsboro Road, April 30 on the opening night of the spring meet at Churchill Downs and May 2-6 at Rodes.  

MORE INFORMATION: For custom-made hats and Moore's 2022 Collection, visit Camhats.com. For questions call 212-279-1775.

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This 6,000-square-foot hat boutique is literally filled to the brim with the season’s newest Kentucky Derby Hats for women and men. Choose one designed by Dee’s custom hat designers or gather feathers, florals, netting, ribbon, and other embellishments and create your own masterpiece. 

Drop by the store anytime during business hours to shop or make an appointment to meet with one of Dee's experts. 

SHOP: Dee's, 5045 Shelbyville Road. Store Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, 12:30- 5 p.m. 

MORE INFORMATION: deeslouisville.com, email hats@deeslouisville.com, or call 502-896-6755.  

Owner Jenny Pfanenstiel, one of the featured milliners of the 148th Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Derby Museum, uses vintage techniques and materials like ribbon and embellishments to create high-quality modern hats with flair. 

Pfanenstiel owns Formé Millinery at 1009 E. Main St., and a second location east of downtown Louisville. Her new store, Judith M Millinery Supply, is located at 115 E. Main St. in La Grange. Pfanenstiel plans to offer hat-making workshops, finished hats and a variety of other hat-making experiences as well as millinery supplies.

"When women or men try on my hats, I see them stand a little taller, feel a bit more confident and for me, that's a wonderful feeling. It's why I love making hats," Pfanenstiel said.

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New for 2022, Pfanenstiel has created “The Woodford Reserve Derby Collection,” a limited-edition series of custom-made, men’s fedoras and women’s Kentucky Derby brimmed hats sold exclusively at the Woodford Reserve Distillery, 7785 McCracken Pike in Versailles, Kentucky and Formé Millinery shop in Louisville. The handmade hats incorporate oak from Woodford Reserve barrels. The men’s hats will feature wooden bow-ties while the women’s hats will be decorated with red roses made from the bourbon barrels.  

On March 26 at 2 p.m., Pfanestiel invites the public to “Hats at the Tracks,” a free hat and fashion show in downtown La Grange taking place along the railroad tracks in the middle of Main St. 

SHOP: Formé Millinery, 1009 E. Main St. Store hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment. For hours at the Judith M Millinery Supply, 115 E. Main St. La Grange, call 260-499-4407. 

MORE INFORMATION: Visit Formé Millinery online at formemillinery.com or call 773-719-7307. Visit Judith M Millinery Supply online at judithm.com.

Olivia Griffin makes hats for women and men with tons of personality and panache. The costume and apparel designer owns The Mysterious Rack and the hat brand Griffin Hatters. 

After a decade of working in costume design, fashion, performing arts and vintage clothing, Griffin purchased a 100-year-old hat company and served as an apprentice with Michael Harris, a master hatter.

Griffin opened her own shop in 2015 and today customers can find Griffin Hatters in The Mysterious Rack boutique located in downtown Louisville.

Check The Mysterious Rack Facebook page for upcoming events and information on Griffin's exclusive partnership with 21c Museum Hotel. Guests booked for the week of the Kentucky Derby at the Louisville hotel have the opportunity to pre-order bespoke hats with Olivia Rose Griffin (Derby Hat pre-orders due by April 15,) meet the designer and shop the pop up boutique.   

SHOP: Mysterious Rack, 572 S. Fourth St. Griffin asks that customers enter through her coffee shop, Riot Cafe, 574 S. Fourth St. Mysterious Rack is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Appointments are encouraged and can be made at mysteriousrack.com. 

MORE INFORMATION: 502-653-9440, themysteriousrack@gmail.com, or mysteriousrack.com.  

In addition to selling ready-made hats and custom designs for 10 years, The Hat Girls — Rachel Bell and Kate Smith — sell high-quality hat boxes, feathers, and other millinery supplies at their hat boutique and studio in St. Matthews.

Whether its a funky fascinator or a couture millinery piece, "The Hat Girls have you covered for the Kentucky Derby and all other special occasions," Bell said.

The busy milliners tell the Courier Journal they have filled their boutique for 2022 with more than 700 handmade hats and fascinators. The store opens for Derby business on April 4. The duo suggests customers check their website beforehand and book an appointment to give you plenty of time to browse. Also, visit The Hat Girls Facebook page which is filled with wardrobe and hat combinations to get your creativity flowing.   

The Hat Girls are the Official Hat Designers for the Kentucky Derby Festival and provide the headwear we see on the models in the annual Macy's Spring Fashion Show on March 31. 

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SHOP: The Hat Girls, 136 Saint Matthews Ave. Shop hours vary each week in April. Call or check social media for current times. The Hat Girls will also be set up in Hotel Distil, 101 W Main St., the week of the Kentucky Derby to give last minute shoppers and out-of-town visitors a place to pick up the perfect topper for the races. 

MORE INFORMATION: Call or text 502-999-3584, info@thehatgirls.com or thehatgirls.com.

Helen Overfield takes limited private appointments if you are looking for the perfect hat or fascinator in the $100-$200 range. She holds semi-private trunk shows on various e-commerce sites like Etsy and sells her headwear in boutiques including the Kentucky Derby Museum Gift Shop at 704 Central Ave.   

Hats Off by Helen hats and fascinators retail in the $50 to $350 price range.

MORE INFORMATION: 502-553-4342, hatsoffbyhelen.com and Facebook at Hats Off By Helen.

Sarah Havens creates one-of-a-kind hats for men and women for special occasions like the Kentucky Derby, everyday wear and theatre.

"Each hat or fascinator is designed, shaped, sized and decorated by my hands," said Havens. "Your hat will be made to order as soon as I receive your head measurement."

SHOP: Havens Millinery is located in the Hope Worsted Mills Co., 954 E Kentucky St.

MORE INFORMATION: Call 502-718-3121, email havensmillinery@gmail.com and visit Havens Millinery Facebook page. 

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Milliner Britni Knable's designs are as sweet as the name of her business. HeadCandi Millinery, 137 E. Market St., New Albany, Indiana, specializes in hand-crafted fashion-forward hats, fascinators, and accessories.

Knable, who studied at the Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago, where she landed a coveted position with Chicago milliner, Linda Campisano, has designed custom pieces for clients such as country star Luke Bryan and his wife, television personalities, fashion bloggers, and Kentucky Derby goers. 

If you are coming in from out of town, Knable and several other milliners on this list make hotel deliveries to their clients, so be sure to ask.  

SHOP: You'll find over 500 HeadCandi pieces on HeadCandi's Etsy page plus information on five easy steps to finding your perfect custom hat or fascinator. Prefer to try on your HeadCandi? You'll find pieces at multiple specialty shops and Kentucky Derby events in the area so be sure to check HeadCandi's Facebook page.

MORE INFORMATION: shopheadcandi.com and 502-643-2425.

Kentucky Derby Museum's Big Brims Derby Hat Sale is Thursday, April 14. Locals love this ticketed sale because there are more than 600 sample hats to choose from and best of all, no hat is priced over $75 and many as low as $16.

If you are new to Louisville or the Kentucky Derby, hat prices may surprise you. While many are in the $250-$600 range, some custom designs run over $1,000, which makes the Kentucky Derby Museum's hat sale a popular option.  

During the event at 704 Central Ave., ticket holders get complimentary cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, live music, vendor pop-up shops and giveaways. Be sure to bring your Derby ensemble for styling tips and more.

Tickets start at $15 for museum members and $25 for non-members. If you want the best selection, the $35 ticket gets you into the event an hour early at 5:30 p.m. 

Purchase tickets for Big Brims Derby Hat Sale online at derbymuseum.org

MORE INFORMATION: derbymuseum.org and 502-637-1111

Also at the Kentucky Derby Museum, the museum has selected four milliners to feature in their gift shop for 2022. These hats are not part of the Big Brims Derby Hat Sale but are available for purchase throughout the Derby season. Featured milliners include Ilana Kogan of The Hat Doctor, Laura Moser of Simply Laura Millinery, Jenny Pfanensteil of Formé Millinery and Christine A Moore, owner of CAM Hats.  

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With a degree in Fashion Design from the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning, Kenzie Kapp focuses on the individual needs of her customer. She'll create an entire look from stiletto to the hat if that's what you're looking for this Kentucky Derby season. 

Create a custom look with Kapp or stop by her studio, which is full of ready-made headpieces and you could walk out with your Derby hat the same day. 

SHOP: Browse her online store at kenziekapp.com or stop by her studio at 400 E. Main St. Check the website calendar for times.  

MORE INFORMATION: 502-771-1286, kenziekapp.comabout/ and email Kenzie@kenziekapp.com.

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Tiffany Woodard's fanciful designs highlight her love of unique floral design. She starts her fascinators with a single flower and lets her imagination flow.

"I see where it takes me, always keeping in mind what will be most flattering, and I try to keep my price points accessible for the 'every girl' because that’s who I am," Woodard said.

SHOP: Woodard sells her unique fascinators at Oxmoor Centre from April 8 to May 6 and during the annual Cherokee Triangle Art Fair from April 30 to May 1. You'll also find her work on her website tiffanywoodard.com and on social media @tiffanywoodarddesigns on Instagram.

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