From the crowd singing ‘My Old Kentucky Home’ to the blanket of red roses being presented to the winning horse, Kentucky Derby Day is one of the great traditional events in the American sporting year.

The race has been held since 1875 – and this year will be the 150th year of what some call the “the most exciting two minutes in sport.” 

This year the famous Red Roses Race is held at its traditional venue Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Kentucky on Saturday May 4 at 6.45pm.  

It’s the finale of a fortnight’s festival of racing at the track. The big day itself has become a major social event, attracting huge crowds of more than 150,000 people.

What do racegoers wear?

Whether you’re carefully studying the Kentucky Derby odds or just there for the chance to dress up, press images of the 2023 Kentucky Derby revealed that the vast majority were in formal or period outfits – but there were some spectacular exceptions.

The wackiest outfits on display included full animal costumes, weird colour combinations or ridiculous homemade hats. 

One enthusiast was there dressed in a full Fred Flintstone fancy dress costume. Another wore a blue furry hat with horns protruding.

Another pair of men wandered around dressed in strange purple and pink tinged suits while wearing horses heads on their own heads. 

Is there a dress code?

In certain up-scale areas like the Grandstand, Clubhouse and other premium seating sections there is a formal expectation on Derby Day. Both male and female outfits are expected to be very smart and sophisticated. 

Overall though, in the mild Kentucky spring sunshine many visitors opt for spring dresses and suits. Others stick with traditional Derby attire such as colorful hats and fascinators for ladies and bow ties and straw hats for gentlemen. 

While there’s no strict enforcement of any specific dress code – it’s generally expected that attendees stick to the traditional Derby fashion norms. 

What do most people wear?

Racegoers at Churchill Downs typically dress in high quality formal clothes that adhere to traditional Derby fashion norms. It’s all about maintaining and immersing yourself in the classic atmosphere.

For men, the outfit often includes suits in light colors such as seersucker or linen. This is paired with dress shirts and using the option of colorful ties as a way of expressing a flash of individuality. 

Colourful bow ties are a popular choice. It’s a classic way of adding a touch of Southern charm to the ensemble. 

Many men also wear traditional Derby hats, such as fedoras or straw boaters. It can be sunny so a hat has a practical value too.

For women, Derby Day fashion is usually about spring dresses in vibrant colors and floral patterns. Dresses are often knee-length or longer, with styles ranging from classic to trendy. 

Hats are a must-have accessory for most women. The most elaborate, wide-brimmed hats are considered a hallmark of Derby fashion. 

Fascinators, smaller period headpieces adorned with feathers, flowers, or other embellishments, are also popular.

Overall, race-goers at the Kentucky Derby are trying to embrace the elegance and style of the day.

How to plan a Derby Day outfit

When planning what to wear for a day at Churchill Downs, here are some top fashion tips:

• Embrace tradition with standard Derby fashion that includes light-colored suits for men and vibrant spring dresses for women. To play safe, stick to classic styles with a flash of Southern charm.
• Choosing the right hat could be the key to the day. A hat is an essential accessory for Derby day. 

For women, a wide hat or a fancy fascinator adorned with feathers or flowers is considered a fun accessory. For men, opt for classic period style, like a fedora or straw boater for the ultimate finishing touch.

• Check the weather forecast and plan any outfit accordingly. Lightweight fabrics like linen or seersucker are ideal for a bright Kentucky spring day – but a light jacket or shawl can provide warmth if it turns cooler.
• Dress for comfort – style is important but so is comfort when you’ll be spending a long day at the race track. Choose outfits and shoes that you can comfortably wear for hours.
• Pay attention to details because the smallest accessories can elevate your outfit. It’s easy to add a flash of color with a statement tie or scarf.
  And don’t forget to coordinate your shoes or boots with your outfit.

Most of all however, don’t worry too much. Have fun with dressing up. The Kentucky Derby is a festive event so don’t be afraid to be bolder than normal with your outfit for the day.

The event is a chance to experiment with bold colors, patterns and accessories to create a special personal style and to fully enjoy the spirit of the Derby.

When searching for the perfect diamond ring, there’s more to assess than just the sparkle and shine. You should also consider the 4Cs – cut, clarity, carat weight, and color – which are the acceptable standards for evaluating the value and quality of a diamond ring. Understanding these crucial characteristics is essential in making an informed decision and ensuring you get the most brilliant and breathtaking ring within your budget.

This article provides the essentials of selecting the perfect diamond ring that aligns with your preferences and budget. Read on! 

Understand The 4Cs 

The path to finding the perfect diamond ring begins with grasping the fundamental factors that govern a diamond’s value and allure: the 4Cs – carat, cut, color, and clarity. Here’s a breakdown of each aspect:

• Carat weight: The carat weight determines the diamond’s physical size, but the size isn’t the only consideration. You’d want a harmonious balance between visual impact and financial sensibility, especially for engagement rings featuring lab-grown diamonds.

Lav-grown diamonds offer a more extensive and affordable option, allowing you to find the perfect balance between visual presence and your budget. However, you should note that diamond prices tend to increase exponentially depending on the carat weights, usually at half and whole-carat weights. 

• Cut quality: The cut quality determines how light interacts with the diamond, directly impacting its brilliance and fire. Cut grades range from Excellent, the highest standard, to Poor, with each level affecting the diamond’s overall optical performance. 

With an Excellent or Ideal cut, you can expect a mesmerizing display of light. Experts craft these diamonds to maximize the light that enters and reflects within, resulting in a vibrant, lively sparkle that dances across the surface. In contrast, a diamond with a Poor cut may appear dull and lifeless, failing to capture and disperse light effectively. 

However, the diamond’s shape is also crucial in its overall appeal and light performance. While the classic round brilliant cut is renowned for its exceptional fire and scintillation, you may find yourself drawn to the elongated elegance of a marquise or the curvaceous allure of a pear shape, allowing you to express your unique style. 

• Color: The industry’s color grading scale begins at D, representing the rarest and most coveted colorless diamonds, and descends to Z, where warm tones are noticeable. Colorless diamonds, prized for their ability to transmit light with unparalleled brilliance, command the highest values. 

However, the choice of color depends on your preference, allowing you to embrace nature’s subtle artistry. The icy perfection of a D-colored diamond may draw your attention, while others may find the warm, golden undertones of a near-colorless stone more alluring. 

• Clarity: Clarity measures a diamond’s internal and external flaws or inclusions and blemishes, respectively. The scale ranges from Flawless to Included. In Flawless, no imperfections are visible under 10x magnification, whereas flaws are visible to the naked eye in Included. 

Higher clarity grades command higher prices, but many inclusions are microscopic and don’t detract from the diamond’s beauty when viewed without magnification. For example, a diamond with a VS1 (Very Slightly Included) clarity grade may have tiny crystals or clouds inside, but these are barely perceptible to the unaided eye.

Closeup photo of a beautiful female hands with elegant manicure and diamond rings. Holidays and celebration concept.

Essentially, the 4Cs provide a comprehensive framework for evaluating a diamond’s quality and characteristics. This enables you to choose the perfect diamond ring that aligns with your desired style, budget, and personal preferences. 

Balance The 4Cs 

When selecting the ring, the secret is striking a balance between clarity, carat, cut, and color. Instead of focusing on a single factor, consider how each aspect contributes to the diamond’s overall appearance and value.  

For instance, you may choose to prioritize an excellent cut quality over a larger carat weight, ensuring the diamond sparkles brilliantly despite its size. This can be particularly essential for low-profile engagement rings, where the cut plays a significant role in maximizing brilliance. Alternatively, you could opt for a slightly lower color grade, allowing you to invest in a diamond with superior clarity and fewer visible inclusions. 

Weigh your priorities to make a wise decision that maximizes the diamond’s beauty and aligns with your desired style and budget constraints. This ensures you buy a stunning ring that resonates with you or your partner. 

Observe Ethical Sourcing And Certification 

When purchasing a diamond, ethical considerations are paramount. You’ll want to ensure your diamond is certified conflict-free, guaranteeing it was responsibly mined and traded. Reputable certifications from organizations like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grade the diamond based on the 4Cs and ensure its ethical sourcing. 

Beyond the diamond itself, consider the impact of the metal used for the ring’s band. Opt for recycled gold or platinum to reduce environmental harm from mining. Many jewelers offer ethical collections crafted from responsibly sourced and traced materials. By making conscious choices, your diamond ring can symbolize your values and love, free from concerns over its ethical background. 

Consider The Ring Design And Personal Style 

As mentioned, your ring should reflect your style and the significance of the occasion it represents. The ring’s design plays a crucial role in showcasing the diamond’s beauty and creating a cohesive aesthetic. 

Ring settings may influence the overall look and feel of the piece significantly. Classic solitaire settings allow a single diamond to take center stage, while intricate halo designs surround the center stone with a sparkling frame of smaller diamonds for added brilliance.  Conversely, three-stone rings, with a central diamond flanked by two smaller ones, symbolize the past, present, and future – a meaningful choice for engagement rings. 

The ring metal choice of the band also affects the ring’s style. For instance, traditional options like yellow, white, or rose gold offer distinct warmth and hues, while platinum provides a prestigious, enduringly white backdrop for the diamond. On the contrary, vintage-inspired designs or more contemporary, minimalist styles allow you to personalize the ring to your taste further. You should choose one that balances the diamond’s quality with a setting that complements the stone. 

Conclusion 

Selecting the perfect diamond ring is a meaningful endeavor that blends the tangible aspects of the 4Cs with intangible elements of style, emotion, and ethical considerations.

By approaching this process with knowledge, mindfulness, and a clear understanding of your desires, you can find a ring that dazzles and holds profound significance. Remember, the perfect diamond ring should align with personal tastes, carry the intended symbolism, and stand the test of time in style and durability.

Kimberley Anne Woltemas is a Thai/German actress and model. 

She made her acting debut when she portrayed Nam in the series 4 Huajai Haeng Koon Kao (4 Hearts of the Mountains). She is the Thai ambassador for several luxury companies, including Dior, Cartier, and Hourglass. 

Woltemas is often seen wearing Dior, and she even donned a wedding dress made by the brand on her wedding ceremony to her husband, Prin Suparat.

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A post shared by Kimberley Anne Woltemas (@kimmy_kimberley)

Six months after her wedding, the model shared behind-the-scene pictures of her dress at the atelier.

Kimberley Anne Woltemas and her wedding dress

On March 14, 2024, Woltemas took to Instagram to share throwback pictures from the final moments of her wedding dress being ready. She shared ten pictures that showed the designs of the dress, her trying it on, her walking on it, and the reaction of the team at the atelier.

Dior prepared two dresses for her. The first one was a white gown made of exquisite floral guipure and had a body-fitted bodice with a mock collar and full sleeves, which flowed down to produce a flowy hem with a train. 

The second one, which the model wore for her reception dinner, was a white silk gown with drape details. The sleeveless outfit had a sweetheart neckline and big pockets on both sides.

Kimberley Anne Woltemas and her wedding dress. (Source: Instagram)

All in all, Dior made her look like the most beautiful bride to exist. They shared a video in September 2023, around the time of Woltemas’s wedding ceremony. 

Woltemas approached them to make her wedding gown a year before the ceremony. She initially wanted a simple gown, but when she saw the designs for the floral guipure, she fell in love with it. 

It took around 600 hours of work to make the dress and was made by hand. The dress was accompanied by a floral headpiece. The dress was designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri and the finishing touches were made by expert seamstresses in the Dior Ateliers. 

Woltemas could not stop gushing about the dress and how happy she was that she could wear such a dress on a special occasion. She donned the dress at her wedding ceremony, which happened on September 14, 2023, at Villa Bonomi, Lake Como, Italy. 

Kimberley Anne Woltemas and her husband

Woltemas tied the knot with her husband, Suparat, after dating for nine years. Their relationship began in 2010 when they met while working on a variety of projects. 

However, it wasn’t until 2013 that their relationship developed into a full-fledged romance. The couple’s on-screen connection translated smoothly into their real-life relationship, and they quickly became viewers’ favorite. 

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A post shared by Kimberley Anne Woltemas (@kimmy_kimberley)

After nearly nine years of dating, Woltemas and Suparat decided to take the next step in their relationship. On April 21, 2022, they turned to Instagram to announce their engagement by posting beautiful photos with the heartfelt comment, “We’ve decided on forever. Yes sir I am ready and we are @kimmy_kimberley.”

Woltemas happily showed off her large engagement ring on her ring finger in the first shot, while the pair cuddled up in each other’s arms in the second.

Since then, they have shared every detail of their wedding planning with their fans and followers. From printing their invitation card to preparing their wedding menu, the duo shared it all.

All in all, the couple was very happy to finally tie the knot and take the next step in their relationship.