LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Dressing for the Derby is a tricky proposition; fancy dresses and big hats look glamorous in the sun… but when the weather turns as it often does, umbrellas aren’t allowed at the track. Patrons are going to have to choose between protecting their hat and getting every dollar’s worth still on their head. The people we met still buying their hats said it’s an easy choice for them.

The hats are everything. This is everything.

All eyes are on Louisville this weekend, and tens of thousands of ladies are looking for the perfect headpiece to catch a gaze.

It’s become a fashion show; it is part of what it’s all about. Kathy Olliges and her team at Dee’s working all day to provide unique hats for those going to the races, or just going to a party.

About 8,000 hats.

The creations look beautiful in the light, but if the clouds move in over Churchill, Kathy has tips for keeping it safe.

Tuck your excess in the bag, in the hat, and then go on and put that on. Now, it’s obviously not as pretty  without the bag but you don’t have to carry it around and it’s keeping your hat dry.

I think the yellow, I definitely think the yellow.

Local Derby veteran Debbie Franklin knows what she wants, and no rain is going to ruin her day.

I weather the storm. No, no, no, it is Derby day. The hat stays on with nothing on top of it.

And these hats can live on forever.

A lot of people don’t like to let go. We hear stories all the time that they’re gonna have to build a room to put their hats in.

That is, if they can dodge that pesky precipitation.

We pray for no rain.

Ooo, I’m gonna run!