Draper James Dress for Keeneland
The Perfect Dress for fall horse racing!
(This post contains affiliate links; I will receive a very small commission per click at no cost to the reader. All photos are © Sarah Caton of Space, Place & Southern Grace unless otherwise noted.)
Finding the perfect dress for Keeneland is pretty high on most Kentucky women’s to-do list. In fact, over the seven years that HerKentucky has been running, “What to wear to Keeneland” is the search that brings the most people to this site. Getting the Keeneland dress code right is a big deal. Now, I’ll do another post a little closer to the beginning of Fall Meet to remind everyone of the dress codes for each of the various areas of the racetrack, but I wanted to share this dress with y’all today because I think it absolutely nails Keeneland style.
Dress: Draper James | Boots: Frye | Necklace: Elva Fields | Bracelet: Bourbon & Boweties
I love the idea of a basic, solid dress that can be paired with pumps or boots, statement jewelry or scarves, to create different looks. You could wear this dress to the track, the office, dinner, or just about anywhere you want to look nice. Just switch up the accessories and you’re good to go.
I went with my Elva Fields necklace and a Bourbon & Boweties Bourbon Barrel bangle, but I think an equestrian-themed scarf is always a lovely touch for a day at the races, too. Here are some great ones at every price point.
Since my brand is, quite literally, Kentucky, I like to wear subtle little nods to our Commonwealth’s heritage! This Bourbon & Boweties bangle is an exclusive to Sweet Mash Goods in Lawrenceburg. The Key Fob is from an exclusive partnership between Draper James and Keeneland.
Bourbon Barrel Bracelet: Bourbon & Boweties for Sweet Mash Goods | Key Fob: Draper James for Keeneland
I had so much fun shooting these photos in Gratz Park. It got me so excited to hopefully visit Lexington many, many times during Keeneland’s Fall Meet. Lexington in October is truly one of those sights that everyone should experience!!
If you’re looking for your own favorite Keeneland Dress, please join me Tuesday, October 2nd from 6-8 p,m. at the Lexington Draper James store for a Shop & Sip benefiting Dress for Success Lexington! Let me know in the comments, what are y’all wearing to Keeneland this season?
What to Wear to Keeneland When It's Cold
Look great at the races even when the snow is falling!
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Oh, Kentucky weather. You're so unpredictable. You're sooooo hard to dress for.
It's Opening Weekend at Keeneland. And it's snowing. What do you wear to Keeneland's Spring Meet when it snows? I mean, today is the Blue Grass Stakes. It's a big-deal race -- a Grade 2 that very well could impact the Derby field. You'll see so many people you know... and the track is running on a snow delay! (The doors open to the public at noon rather than 11, and the first race is on time at 1::05 pm)
Of course, the answer is layers. Lots of layers. Start with a basic dress. I love this Talbots Ponte dress, and it's on sale right now! I have the navy, but the green is so pretty, too!
Add a chic jacket. My Barbour Polarquilt Beadnell is probably my all-time favorite jacket. It's so warm, and so pretty.
The final touch to a cold-weather racetrack ensemble is boots. Boots keep you warm and allow you to wear socks. They're always equestrian chic and appropriate for the track!
Are y'all heading out to the track today? What are you wearing?
Maker's Mark and Keeneland
These iconic Kentucky brands enjoy a decades-old partnership.
Maker's Mark and Keeneland are two of Kentucky's most iconic traditions. I bet you've noticed that there's always plenty of Maker's Mark at the track, but did you know that these two brands have been paired up since the very beginning? In fact, the very first barrel of Maker's Mark was purchased by Keeneland in the mid-1950s. When Maker's launched their Private Select Barrel Program a few years ago, Keeneland was, once again, their first customer!
Of course, there are always plenty of opportunities to celebrate Maker's Mark at the track. The 2015 Breeders' Cup at Keeneland featured everything from signature Maker's Mark lounge areas to Maker's branded cocktails.
Bob makes his Breeders' Cup picks at Keeneland, Maker's Mark in hand.
And, then there are the bottles. Since 1997, Maker's Mark has collaborated with Keeneland to produce special collectors' bottles which benefit local charities. These are accompanied by signings at Keeneland, which are quite an event for bourbon lovers. This year's signing will be next Friday, April 13th, to coincide with the Maker's 46 Mile, a popular (G1) horse race. Perhaps the most iconic bottle in the collection is the Empty Bottle, the 2000 edition which was not filled because whisky supply was low at Maker's distillery due to a fire. Even with no bourbon inside, the bottle raised over $200,000 for the Tubby Smith Foundation!
There's even a signature Maker's Mark cocktail at Keeneland, The Keeneland Breeze. It's so citrusy and refreshing: it's 1.5 parts Maker's Mark to 1/2 part Triple Sec, topped with a splash of ginger ale and an orange round garnish.
I ran across these Keeneland Breeze kitchen items at The Keeneland Shop recently. What a fun way to celebrate the racetrack and its signature spirit!
Cheers and happy racing, y'all!
A Taste of the Races at Keeneland
Shop Keeneland for your Spring Meet needs!
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Keeneland's Spring Meet is only a few days away, y'all! There's something so special about Keeneland -- the beautiful track, the opportunity to run into so many friends, and the excitement of the races! Absolutely nothing compares to a spring day at Keeneland!
To get you ready for the race season, the Keeneland Shop has an amazing shopping event coming up this week! This Wednesday and Thursday, you'll get 20% off your on-site purchase at the Keeneland Shop. They have so much good stuff, y'all -- favorites like Barbour and Draper James, as well as Keeneland-branded originals. m. The premiere evening, Wednesday April 4, offers hors d'oeuvres prepared by Keeneland Executive Chef Marc Therrien, as well as Maker's Mark and Gents Original Ginger Ale craft cocktails.
I was so excited that Keeneland Shop sent me this stunning platter and plates set by Dishique along with an invitation to the event! What a perfect way to serve up spring appetizers for race season!
As for shopping, I have my eye on some CatStudio Keeneland merchandise. I seriously LOVE this pillow!
There's even a little CatStudio gift for attendees of Wednesday's event. The first 250 attendees will receive their complimentary cocktail in a Keeneland catstudio glass! How cute is this?
Louisville Stoneware mugs are my all-time favorites! This Keeneland logo design is amazing.
Shop the Draper James Keeneland Capsule Collection!
If I haven't already sold you on this event, there's also a Draper James Capsule Collection of Limited Edition Keeneland merchandise! That Key Fob is a must-have!!
I hope to see y'all at the Keeneland Shop's Taste of the Races. Happy Racing Season, y'all!!
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!
Cat Studio Keeneland and Kentucky Derby Pillows
Yesterday, I attended an event at Keeneland, and simply fell in love with the new Keeneland embroidered pillow designed by Cat Studio and available exclusively at the Keeneland Gift Shop.
Photo via Keeneland Gift Shop.
Cat Studio pillows have always been a decor #goal of mine. There are so many great designs from which to choose!
If you're a Derby fan, the Kentucky Derby pillow is available at the Kentucky Derby Museum.
You can order the Kentucky state pillow here.
This UK Pillow is available locally at Two Chicks & Company!
Cat Studio has the Cards fans covered, too!
A Cat Studio pillow would be such a fantastic housewarming gift or a nice reminder of home for a Kentucky expatriate. Which design is your favorite?
What to Wear to Keeneland's October Meet
The number one question that HerKentucky readers have for us is "What should I wear to Keeneland?" Here in Kentucky, a trip to Lexington's storied Keeneland Race Course isn't just a trip to bet on the ponies. It's a full-scale experience of racing, food, fun, and, of course, fashion. Trust me when I say that 70% of all the people you've ever met in your life will be at the track any day you go.
Keeneland Crowd
Well, that may be a slight exaggeration, but with weekend crowds reaching over 25,000 people, you sure will see a lot of Kentuckians at Keeneland. To help you look your best, we've put together a few dress code tips that will help you look great at the track!
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 dresses to be seen.
Lexington and Kentucky Dining Rooms Dress Code, via Keeneland.
Phoenix Dining Room Dress Code, image via Keeneland
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 for ladies.
Most of all, dress nicely, look good, and have a great day at the races!