Did you ever wonder why we wear elaborate hats to the Kentucky Derby? Well, the history of the Kentucky Derby goes back to the Derby Stakes in Britain, known here in the States as the Epsom Derby. The Epsom Derby was first run in 1780 and is the highest-purse horse race in Britain.

Derby Day, a 1952 film set at the Epsom Derby. It looks like the heroine needs a mint julep, no?

Voltigeur, winner of the 1850 Epsom Derby.

In 1873, Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. visited Europe, taking in the Epsom Derby and the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp. He returned home to Louisville and organized the race now known as the Kentucky Derby, looking toward these races for inspiration for track design, race length and other details. When the Kentucky Derby began in 1875, Kentucky ladies wore their finest to the races, just as their British counterparts did. Of course, in those days, finery included a chapeau, and the tradition stuck.

Kentucky Derby 1938. via The Huffington Post.

Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh at Epsom in 1948. via The Daily Mail.

If you think about it, we still kind of look to the Brits for millinery fashion. Around the time Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice and Duchess Kate began wearing fascinators and small, snug-fitting hats to weddings and races, we started to see those styles around the track in Louisville as well.

Prince William, Prince Harry, and Duchess Kate at the 2011 Epsom Derby. via Getty Images. I was really just looking for an excuse to post this photo of Harry, obvs. — Prince William, Prince Harry, and Duchess Kate at the 2011 Epsom Derby. via Getty Images. I was really just looking for an excuse to post this photo of Harry, obvs.

Here's to Derby style and gorgeous chapeaux! Happy Derby week, y'all!