Louisiana Derby Packing List
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Photo by Eclipse Sportswire
Packing for a trip to the races can be a little intimidating sometimes, so I put together a few sets of items that will come in handy for a day of world-class racing at a racetrack far from home.
The Louisiana Derby is the premiere prep race for the run for the roses in the New Orleans area. Held at beautiful Fair Grounds Race Course just outside of the Big Easy on March 26, the winner of the Louisiana Derby earns 100 points and a near-guaranteed spot in the starting gate for the May 7 Kentucky Derby. If you’re planning on attending the race, below are some items that you’ll be glad to have in your suitcase for the weekend. As always, you can shop any item in any set by clicking on the image.
16LaDerbyPackingList_01 by penelopemiller featuring a floral maxi dress
Alice McCall ruffle dress / Plus size cotton dress / White sleeveless dress / Botanical dress / Dorothy Perkins flower pattern dress / WearAll belted dress / Pink shirt dress / Green sleeveless dress / Joelle floral maxi dress
Kentucky Derby prep races herald the arrival of the spring racing season, and what better way to celebrate the arrival of the vernal equinox on the bayou than by wearing a flowy floral dress? The above versions should be comfortable as well as stylish for a day at the races, and there’s one to fit any budget or silhouette in the set.
16LaDerbyPackingList_01a by penelopemiller featuring a straw hat
Straw hat / Gottex Women's Breton Stripe Packable Toyo Straw Sun Hat Rated,... / Wallaroo Men's Byron Sun Hat - UPF 50+ - Sophisticated Style, Natural... / Physician Endorsed Women's Sammy D Small Two Toned Packable Fedora Hat... / AmazonSmile : Columbia Men's Bonehead Straw Hat : Cold Weather Hats :... / AmazonSmile: Womens Wide Brim Floppy Two Tone Black Packable Sun Hat... / UPF 50+ Protective Packable Striped Travel Hat, 4" Brim - HS353... / Sunday Afternoons Havana Hat / Sun N' Sand Shoreline Hues Packable Hat (Fuchsia) at Amazon Women’s... / Debra Weitzner Women's Floppy Straw Beach Sun Hat Strings Trim at... / Debra Weitzner Classic Unisex Straw Fedora Hat at Amazon Men’s...
A packable hat is a must in the hot Louisiana sun; make sure that you’re prepared for the bayou blaze by having a wide-brimmed lid at the ready. There are versions for both men and women in the above set; and all of these are labeled as packable, so they won’t suffer if they’re crushed in your luggage.
16LaDerbyPackingList_02 by penelopemiller featuring mens silk ties
Bow tie / Mens silk tie / Bow tie / Horseshoe Woven Tie / And They're Off Horseracing Necktie Blue / Home decor / AmazonSmile: Horse Pink Silk Tie Necktie Men's Animal Print Win Place... / 100% Silk Yellow Equestrian Horse Blanket Horse Racing Necktie Tie...
A trip to the track is a great excise to rock a whimsical tie! Whether you prefer a bow tie or the classic version, a horse motif is a fun take for the Louisiana Derby. And since the race is held the day before Easter Sunday, why not wear a tie in pastel as a nod to the holiday?
16LaDerbyPackingList_03 by penelopemiller featuring a medicine pill box
Medicine pill box / Sephora Collection detangle brush / Handheld Folding Paper Fan (9-Inch, Bridal Pink) - In the Style of... / powerstation 2X / 8X Zoom Universal Mobile Phone Telescope Long Focal Camera Lens w/... / Handheld Black Mellow Cooling Fan USB Battery with Landyard / Bushnell 12x25 Powerview Roof Binocular (Black) 131225 B&H Photo / Travel Sewing Kit / Premium Classic Polarized Lens Metal Aviator Sunglasses 6010 - zeroUV / Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets, 50 Ct / Pilot Varsity Disposable Fountain Pen, Medium, Black Ink, Each...
Finally, some non-wearable essentials to bring to the Louisiana Derby! Before making this set, I mentally emptied my bag that I bring to the track and thought about the things I absolutely had to have. A remote phone charger was the first thing that sprang to my mind: the racetrack is a great place to take photos and share your experience on social media; but your phone is also a valuable tool for finding out race changes or finding friends. A remote phone charger can keep you from feeling the frustration of a rundown cell battery. And speaking of phones, look into buying a detachable zoom lens so you can get close-ups of all the amazing action without lugging around a full-size camera!
I also think a fan is a great thing to have; whether it’s the collapsible kind or a battery-operated version, a fan can give sweet relief from the heat at the track. Other essentials include a pocket hair brush, a kit with Band-Aids and aspirin, a pen for making changes in your program (I like a Pilot Varsity, myself), mini binoculars so you can watch the horses, a good pair of aviator shades (the go with everything!) and some oil blotters in case the heat gets to you. Finally, make sure that you have Uber or Lyft (or even a local cab company’s number) in your phone; if you’re not familiar with New Orleans, this can subtract the directions factor from your weekend. Plus, if you want to indulge in some of the region’s legendary cocktails, Lyft or Uber can get you home safely.
Do you have a packing essential perfect for the Louisiana Derby? Be sure to let us know in the comments!