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!!
I Wish I Were In Lexington Weekend
Packing checklist for a trip to Lexington, KY for Keeneland and Kentucky Wildcats games!
I really wish I were in Lexington this weekend y'all! It's the ultimate autumn trifecta: A UK basketball game, Keeneland racing, and a UK football game. I can't make it there, and I'm feeling homesick, so I've put together the ultimate "I wish I were in Lexington" road trip checklist!
Photo Details: Striped UK Tote bag c/o Pomegranate, Inc. Open Top Large Boat and Tote, Zip Top Large Boat and Tote, Leather Handle Boat and Tote -- L.L. Bean. Black Lab Needlepoint Keychain c/o Smathers and Branson. Hunter Original Tall Glossy Boots
It's the best weekend of the year to take in all the best that Lexington has to offer!
Photo Details: Alex and Ani UK Bracelet c/o Alumni Hall; Bourbon & Boweties Basketball and Football Bracelets
The first stop on the Big Blue tour would be Friday afternoon's #seeblue day at Keeneland, showcasing the UK Cheer and Dance Teams, the Band, and the DanceBlue initiative!
Skirt and top: A New Day at Target; Pearls c/o Versona; Tory Burch Boots c/o Sassy Fox Consignment
Then I'd stop for a quick work break
and head out to the first UK Basketball game of the season.
Photo Details: Elbow Patch Tee c/o Gameday Couture; American Ragg Booties at Macy's.
Saturday morning, I'd go with a dressier look for a Keeneland Dining Room
Lilly Pulitzer Elsa Top and Cashmere Sweater; Talbots Wool Skirt; Kate Spade Shoes via Stella's Resale Boutique
Of course, tailgating is the next item on the agenda! I'm sure lots of folks I know will be out to see the big rivalry game versus Tennessee!
The forecast calls for a cold, rainy night, so I'd dress warm!
Are you headed to any of the weekend festivities in Lexington, or are you enjoying from afar like me?
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?
Vineyard Vines Ties for Spring!
Gorgeous spring ties for the guys in your life!
The spring social season is in full bloom, and it feels like we're all planning our spring wardrobes. What should I wear to Keeneland? For holiday services? For spring weddings?
Here's a quick roundup of some adorable Vineyard Vines ties that will get the guy in your life ready for spring festivities.
For Easter Sunday
If you're a golf or basketball fan, then you probably love Jim Nantz. Even if you don't plan vacation days around the Masters or the NCAA tournament like we do here at HerKentucky HQ, you have to love the message behind the Jim Nantz Forget-Me-Knot Tie. Twenty percent of all proceeds go to the Nantz National Alzheimer Center at Houston Methodist Hospital.
For Keeneland's Opening Weekend
I love this tie from the Vineyard Vines Kentucky Derby Collection. It looks so perfect for Keeneland's Spring Meet!
For the Dog Lover
I LOVE this Vineyard Vines tie for anyone who has a Black Lab in their life. (Pretty sure Bob's going to need this one!)
For the Bourbon Lover
This mint julep tie is perfect for Derby season!
Happy Spring, y'all!
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!
Shop the Look: October Opening Day
What to Wear to Keeneland's Spring Meet
What to wear for a day at the races!
Image via Keeneland
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.
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!
Image via keeneland
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.
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.
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.
Image via Keeneland
Of course, some days at the track are a little more dressy than others. Weekends are generally for more high profile races, and Opening Day tends to bring out dressier clothing. When in doubt, remember dress nicely, look good, and have a great day at the races!