The HerKentucky Guide to Keeneland Style
Tomorrow is the first day of Keeneland's Fall Meet, y'all! Now, Lexington in October is the absolute prettiest scenery you can hope for, and the Fall Meet is my absolute favorite. And, in all the years I've been writing about Kentucky, the question I get asked most often is "What should I wear to Keeneland." Here's a handy guide to help you crack the Keeneland Dress Code.
When someone plans to attend their first race at Lexington's storied Keeneland Race Course, I ask three questions to help them plan their wardrobe and Itinerary: "Where are you sitting?"; "What are you doing?"; and "Will the weather cooperate?" As you'll see, those three questions factor into every piece of your Keeneland experience.
1. Where are you sitting?
This is the most important question to help you gauge your Keeneland wardrobe and experience is where you'll be sitting.
If you're going to stay near the Paddock --General Admission, Grandstand, or Equestrian Room-- there's no need to dress up very much. Guys often opt for khakis and polo shirts, and women can wear slacks or skirts. You're actually dressing for a horse race in these sections. These are the areas nearest the track itself, and people are truly there to watch (and bet on) the horses. With that said, don't be surprised to see a lot of dresses and sport coats in the lower-levels. In recent years, a culture of dressy tailgating (think Steeplechase) has popped up among college students and twenty-somethings, and the second floor (General Admission) Sports Bar often resembles a campus bar or fraternity semi-formal. While the dress code says "casual", there's plenty of Vineyard Vines ties and Lilly Pulitzer sundresses to be seen.
If you'll be dining in the upper-level, enclosed dining rooms-- The Lexington, Kentucky, or Phoenix Rooms-- then expect to dress for a business event. The Lexington and Kentucky rooms -- dining rooms often reserved for business and social gatherings-- have a "business formal" dress code; these areas require men to don a coat and tie, and skirts/dresses/dressy slacks for ladies. The Phoenix Room-- another reserved dining room-- is "business casual", requiring collared shirts and slacks for men and dresses or pantsuits for ladies.
Wear to the Dining Rooms
The track's members-only turf club, the Keeneland Clubhouse, similarly requires coat and tie for men and dressy pants/skirts for ladies. I find that a skirt suit or a dress paired with a pretty cardigan or wrap is always appropriate for the upper levels. In general, if you'd wear it to church or a business meeting, you're golden.
Wear to the Clubhouse
2. What are you doing?
That seems an odd question; you'll be watching the horse races, right? Well, there's a little more to it. Are you going to walk frequently from the paddock to your seating area? Then you don't want to wear high heels. Will you be tailgating? Then you might want to wear wedges or wellies. The same applies to your parking space! I like to suggest a small handbag or clutch; you don't want to have your hands full with an oversized bag!
3. Will the weather cooperate?
Pretty often, Keeneland attire is a day-of decision. October in Kentucky is a pretty tricky weather situation. It could easily be 80 degrees one day, and 50 degrees the next. You’ll need sunglasses, of course, but also potentially a sweater or wrap or a sundress, depending on the day you visit. It’s really easy to get dehydrated on a sunny autumn day at Keeneland. Remember to drink plenty of water, especially if you’re imbibing, and don’t forget the sunscreen!
Most of all, remember to enjoy what I’m sure will be a pretty wonderful day at the track!
What to Wear to Keeneland's Clubhouse
The question that HerKentucky readers ask us most often is "What should I wear to Keeneland?" This week, HerKentucky has advised y'all on the dress code for the Paddock and Dining Rooms for Lexington's storied Keeneland Race Course. Today, we'll talk about what to wear to the most exclusive area of the track -- the Clubhouse.
The members-only Clubhouse similarly requires coat and tie for men and dressy pants/skirts for ladies. I find that a skirt suit or a dress paired with a pretty cardigan or wrap is always appropriate for the upper levels. In general, if you'd wear it to church or a business meeting, you're golden.
Shop The Peppermint Palm, omar + elsie and Bella Rose for gorgeous, on-trend dresses that fit the Clubhouse rules. Pretty dresses in feminine spring colors fit the bill, as do luxe accessories.
Dress to Impress, and have a great day at the races, y'all!
What to Wear to Keeneland's Dining Rooms
Sooner or later, most Central Kentuckians get invited to an event in one of Keeneland's Dining Rooms. These make for some great days at the track -- you're inside, taking it all in. You're guaranteed to run into tons of people you know. And, of course, a bad day at Keeneland is better than a good day just about anywhere else. Like the lower levels, Keeneland's dining areas have a unique dress code.
If you'll be dining in the upper-level, enclosed dining rooms-- The Lexington, Kentucky, or Phoenix Rooms-- then expect to dress for a business event. The Lexington and Kentucky rooms -- dining rooms often reserved for business and social gatherings-- have a "business formal" dress code; these areas require men to don a coat and tie, and skirts/dresses/dressy slacks for ladies. The Phoenix Room-- another reserved dining room-- is "business casual", requiring collared shirts and slacks for men and dresses, pantsuits, or capri pants for ladies.
What this means is that you want a little more pulled-together, professional look than what you'd wear to the lower levels. Pair a colorful Lilly Pulitzer Elsa Top from The Peppermint Palm with neutral slacks or a skirt. A vivid dress from Monkees or omar + elsie is perfect with a solid cardigan and classic accessories. You're likely to run into a classmate or professional acquaintance in this area of the track, so keep your style classic!
Here's to a winning day at the track! Check back tomorrow morning for our picks for the Clubhouse!
What to Wear to Keeneland's Paddock
Keeneland is one of my very favorite things about the Bluegrass State, y'all. The races, the crowd, the fashion, the bread pudding... it's all pretty wonderful.
Some folks have told me, though, that the dress code is a little intimidating. So, the next few days' posts will focus on decoding the Keeneland dress code. First up, the lower levels.
If you're going to stay near the Paddock --General Admission, Grandstand, or Equestrian Room-- there's no need to dress up very much. Guys often opt for khakis and polo shirts, and women can wear slacks. You're actually dressing for a horse race in these sections. These are the areas nearest the track itself, and people are truly there to watch (and bet on) the horses. With that said, don't be surprised to see a lot of dresses and sport coats in the lower-levels. In recent years, a culture of dressy tailgating (think Steeplechase) has popped up among college students and twenty-somethings, and the second floor (General Admission) Sports Bar often resembles a campus bar or fraternity semi-formal; while the dress code says "casual", there's plenty of Vineyard Vines ties and Lilly Pulitzer to be seen.
Keep it classic and preppy with a Lilly Pulitzer dress from the Peppermint Palm and Jack Rogers sandals from Monkees of Lexington. Your beau can't go wrong with a Vineyard Vines tie from Country Club Prep. Don't forget your sunglasses, a cup of water, and a good dose of sunscreen if you're hanging around the Paddock or a tailgate; it's really easy to wind up dehydrated or sunburned! Check in tomorrow for a guide to the dining rooms' dress code.
Stay comfortable, look cute, and enjoy your day at the races!