It’s that time of year again in the Bluegrass! Fall has arrived, which means Keeneland horse racing has begun. We took a trip to Keeneland this Saturday for opening weekend. The sun shone brightly over the track, making all in attendance forget that it was already the beginning of October. There was a large crowd at the races, ready and willing to place hefty bets on their favorite horses, socialize with friends, and take in the beautiful Kentucky scenery. Everyone seemed to dress to impress this weekend, pulling out their favorite Lilly Pulitzer dresses, and Vineyard Vines bow ties.
The male and female attire at Keeneland is best described as classy, Southern, and traditional. The female in our first picture is wearing a classic navy and white shift dress, with a large fancy hat, representative of the Kentucky horseracing atmosphere. Her hair is elegantly pulled back into a French twist, and she is sporting simple gold jewelry while still maintaining a sophisticated demeanor. This picture was taken candidly by the racetrack, and gives the sense that she is a respectable Southern belle. The second photo is of a male on a balcony overlooking the paddock. He was captured at the perfect moment, taking in the scenery while donning a pink button-up, blazer, and khaki pants. He is the epitome of a gentleman, looking pensive while holding his trusty Ray-Ban’s close by. This is Keeneland’s seventy-fifth year serving the Bluegrass. Some styles come and go, but when you enter the gates of Keeneland, it’s almost as if time stands still. The Southern tradition of Keeneland fashion has remained constant through the years.
37 comments:
I have never personally been to Keeneland but am looking forward to going this weekend. After reading this blog I think I need to go shopping. I never realized how sophisticated everyone dressed! I thought girls wore sundresses and guys wore a nice button up. Being a northerner I know nothing about Southern style dress or horse racing. All my friends I am going to the track with next weekend are going to have to show me the ropes. I am excited to go home and share my Keeneland experience with my friends back at home.
I have been going to Keeneland for years, yet the style has never ceased to amaze me. The ladies are always dressed so nicely and the men in their bowties, pastels, and Ray Bans. I have been to many different tracks as my family works with horses, but nothing compares to Keeneland. At Arlington Park in Chicago, you will still see those dressed up, but it is not uncommon to see people wearing jeans or nice shorts during the summer. I love coming to Keeneland for the meets each year to people watch and see the current styles!
It's the time of year for keeneland, and the fashion at keeneland is always so pretty! Even the guys dress to impress. You'll notice by even seeing the picture of the guy, girls aren't the only ones who dress up. Many times guy wined up wearing suits, I think the guys wearing suits is kind of like an older more college aged thing for guys. When I would go and be in high school none of my guy friends would ever wear suits just a pair of khakis and a button up with no tie. But now many of my guy friends have a tie, button up, and suit. But no matter what age you are for girls whether being in high school or college they both dress very nice!
-Lexy Ball
Getting dressed up and going to Keeneland is similar to going to a fashion show. I love looking at all of the different dresses and styles of the people there. It is always such a fun time and I myself love getting dressed up and heading out to Keeneland for a day of horses and fashion. -Holly Ray
Keeneland is such an awesome and fun experience. It is definitely what lexington is known for. I have honestly been to keeneland about 50 times and have bet probably twice. Its more of a social outing for my friends and I. It gives us a good excuse to dress up. The paddock area is a blast to hang out around with the big screen TV right in front and you can watch the horses race without getting in the crowd. Keeneland is definitely one of my favorite spots to hang out in the fall and spring.
I have never been to Keeneland personally, but I can not wait to go. I have heard so much about the upscale attire and styles. It is nice to see the pictures on the blog because I now have a better idea of what to wear. I wouldn't have known otherwise, that people wear such fancy dresses and big hats. I used to go to the race track back at home, but in Illinois, people still wear dresses just not as fancy as it is here in the South. I feel like every single person seen at Keeneland are dressed to the best of their ability, and take pride in what they wear.
Keeneland has been a Lexington tradition for three weeks in the spring and fall for 75 years. Keeneland and perhaps Saratoga in New York hold nostalgic value to their patrons. Going to Keeneland is like taking a step back in time. People are always dressed to impress. While walking through the clubhouse you will see all sorts of 'Keeneland trends' from hats, Lilly, or other fashionable sun dresses on women; and sear-sucker, VV bow-ties, and I even have a pair of Lilly pants, blazers, and a flashy pair of shades on the men.
My favorite time of year! Keeneland is the perfect excuse to get dressed up and hang out with friends all day. I have been going to Keeneland since I was in middle school and the trends haven't seemed to change much. Guys have always worn khakis, button downs, ties, and sports coats while girls have always worn dresses/skirts and heals. I know many people (including myself) go shopping specifically to find things to wear to Keeneland. I haven't been yet this meet, but I plan on going soon! I'm glad getting dressed up for Keeneland is still a tradition.
-Hannah Sanders
I always have a great time when I go to Keeneland. It's one of my favorite things to do since I've been here at UK. I think it's a very unique experience due to how dressed up everyone gets. I love all the glamorous hats some of the women wear. Keeneland provides a fun time to share with friends and family and possibly make some money too! I'm going this weekend and I can't wait to see all the fancy clothing again. Fall in the bluegrass wouldn't be the same without Keeneland!!
- John Tewes
Even though I have lived in Kentucky my whole life I have never been to Keeneland. I do look forward to attending sometime this year though. I really love the southern belle look that is spotted at Keenland. I love that all the girls and even the guys get to dress up for this event. My favorite part about Keenland fashion is defiantly the hats. I hope to find a very large, cute hat to wear to the races soon!
When I first came to Kentucky 3 years ago, I didn't know what Keeneland was. I am a city girl, didn't know one thing about horse racing. So I thought maybe I should go just to see why everyone was making a big deal about it. The first time I went was during the fall, didn't dress up at all. I felt really out of place and wanted to go back and change. When the spring races came along I knew better now to dress up. Going threw that awkward experience and now knowing better. Keeneland is one thing I look forward to each year and it gives me a reason to get dressed up for something.
My first time to Keeneland was last year. I heard all this talk about Keeneland but had no idea what to expect because being a midwestern Chicago girl going to a horserace on a weekend wouldn't be typical. However, I love Keeneland. I love getting dressed up for it and its also an excuse to purchase cute dresses. The boys get dressed up equally and its always nice to see them pulling off their bowties. I do not own a lilly dress which a lot of southern girls seem to wear to Keeneland but there are a lot of other beautiful dresses that are acceptable to wear to Keeneland and it is always fun to shop for a sophisticated dress to attend Keeneland in.
I loved this article because personally Keeneland is my favorite time of the year. Its fun to dress up as a southern belle and see all the guys get all dressed up with their bowties. Coming from a very northern town, this is always fun for me because you get to break out your cowboy boots and put on your lilly dress. I love the style of Keeneland and everything about it. It makes going to the tracks so much more fun, when you see how dressed up everyone is.
This one is so great because so many people don't know about keeneland. They especially don't know about the fashion's of Keeneland. This is a very important part of Keeneland because there is a very specific type of style that people have at Keeneland. This has been a huge tradition in Kentucky and for UK students for a very long time. It's very interesting to observe how people get so dressed up for the horse race.
My parents used to always take me along when going to Keeneland, so it has always been such a fun, exciting experience to me. I love going now that I live here and watching all the trends and fun fashion statements. It is so fun to take a day to dress up in your classiest clothes and even throw on a fun derby hat or some cute, dressy boots. The whole southern style is one that I have always loved, so Keeneland is one of my favorite places in Lexington!
Nicollette Weis
I love that Lexington, KY is the horse capital of the world. People respect and ebrace this to the fullest as we can see by the way people act and dress at Keeneland and other horse tracks around Kentucky. I feel that Kentucky may not have the best reputation for having a classy and elegant perseption. Which I never really understood why that was. And being the most northern of the southern states it is hard sometimes to keep up with the southern look. This aspect of Kentucky (Keeneland and Horse Racing) is my favorite part about my home state. It allows us to show the rest of the world just how elegant and classy our state TRUELY is! I always look forward to wearing my Lilly Pulitzer to Keeneland every Spring and Fall!
-Abbie Wilkerson
This post does a great job at explaining Keeneland fashion. When I explain to my friends at home what Keeneland is like, this pretty much sums it up. Keeneland has such an amazing, classy atmosphere. The Southern Belle and Southern Gentleman ideas are very representative of Keeneland. I feel that Keeneland is becoming more and more about the atmosphere and the experience rather than the actual horse racing. For those of you who haven't been to Keeneland yet it's a must!
From Louisville I am very familiar with the dress at Churchill Downs and I find a lot of similarities with the attire at Keeneland. I love horse racing, both for the sport and for the excuse to get dressed up and look your best. I think it's so fun when classy people come together and make Kentucky look like a very well-dressed state. My 18th birthday was on Derby day so I went with my family and friend in a box seat at the Derby. I wore a yellow strapless Shoshanna dress with a large white floppy hat with navy and yellow ribbon around it. It's so fun choosing your outfit for Derby and other horse racing events. Start looking in advance!
I absolutely love fall time at keeneland. It is so gorgeous and fun to dress up for. I love to wear my lilly because its casual and comfortable but still dressy. I aalso like to see what other people wear because it is such a hot spot for fashion. The hardest part is dressing for when it gets colder out!
Alanna Bouhl
Keenland is so much fun! I look forward to going there every friday. Its fun to get dressed up with all your friends and spend a nice day at the tracks. I enjoy betting as well but usually don't win. The article really captured the Keenland scene!
Being from Ohio horse racing isn't a big scene. Since being in Kentucky I've learned a lot about Keeneland and the attire deemed appropriate to wear there. I agree with the article about it being a southern, timeless look that is the style of Keeneland. I'm anxiously awaiting my first trip to Keeneland just to get dressed up and hang out with friends. There's nothing more a girl wants than to get to dress up and Keeneland seems like the perfect excuse!
Keeneland is one of my favorite times of the year! I love getting dressed up and feeling like a "southern belle" to go watch some horse racing. Unfortunately, I have yet to win on any bet I have placed, so I stopped betting! I haven't gotten into the hat wearing, but I think it looks very classy and one day hope to pull of a hat of my own! I went to opening weekend on Saturday and I plan on going again this Saturday!o
When i think of Fall and Spring i think of Keeneland, i love to go with my friends. having the perfect drees is a must. Dressing to impress is not only for Women the men also come in their best attire.I love to see all teh diffrent dresses and heels women were. I havent been to keeneland yet this fall but i will definitely be going.
-Daneille Clark
I love Keeneland and I am so happy it is open again! We have been so lucky with this amazing weather. Its always fun to notice the different styles that both women and men are wearing. I love seeing how the styles change with the spring and fall seasons at Keeneland. I love getting dressed up and going to watch the races. It's such a Kentucky thing too, it makes you feel like its our own tradition that we don't have to share with any other SEC school. Its what makes us stand out, especially the fashion of it!
I have only been to Keeneland a handful of times but it's something that when I get a chance to go I look forward to! I enjoy getting all dressed up for a day at the races and spending time with friends. It's a great place to see what some of the more dressy fall fashion trends are for the season. I hope that I can make it out there this fall before it closes!
I have only been to Keeneland a handful of times but it's something that when I get a chance to go I look forward to! I enjoy getting all dressed up for a day at the races and spending time with friends. It's a great place to see what some of the more dressy fall fashion trends are for the season. I hope that I can make it out there this fall before it closes!
Opening day at Keeneland has always been an exciting time. You are able to see the latest fashion for men and women. In the clubhouse area is were you will find alot of the hottest fashions like the ones stated in this blog. Blue Jeans are a definite no, no in the box suites. The folks working the suites won't even let you in the door if you have on any blue jean material...kenneland rules.
I've never been to Keeneland and was not familiar with the required attire until a few months after I arrived at UK. A couple of my teammates and I had planned on going one weekend and I was going to wear a shirt and jeans. Luckily we had workouts that weekend! I love the two pictures on this blog. After seeing several pictures of people at Keeneland, these two fit in perfectly with those. The people always look very upscale and neat. I love it!
Keeneland is a great place to observe how people dress for an upscale event. Many of the ladies will wear dresses and guys will wear slacks and button downs. It is a tradition in Kentucky to look you best at Keeneland. The large and colorful hats are always associated with horse racing, but the ladies in Kentucky really know how to pull it off. I am hoping to make it out to Keeneland this season and I will make sure to dress for the occasion.
Never have I been to Keeneland, but I have had the chance to go to Churchill Downs a few times, which is where the Kentucky Derby is held in Louisville. I love going to the racetrack to see everyone dress up in their dresses and ties. One big fashion trend at Churchill Downs are the big hats that typically only the women wear. I'm sure this is a trend at Keeneland too. I never realized until now that there is a "southern style" when people go to the racetrack.
Keeneland is definitely one of the highlights of going to UK. I used to go to Churchill Downs up in Louisville, but now I much prefer this race track. I think it has more elegance and it's so much fun to dress up and go with your friends.
-Mackenzie Davis
This is one of the many reasons I chose UK.I can't wait for a day at the races so I can shop and dress Keeneland style.
I'm not from Kentucky so I was very excited to go to Keeneland for the first time. I was told to dress up but when I got there I realized that I was underdressed! Everyone including college boys and girls and adults cleaned up very nice and kept a sophisticated look. It seems to be another southern tradition to always look put together even at the race track because me being from the north was unfamiliar with that. We have pimlico where I'm from and often on normal racing days most people are in jeans and baseball hats. I did truly enjoy dressing up though and seeing others keeneland outfits because it's so different from what i usually see on campus. I was also surprised the boys could put together such dashing outfits as well. Kudos to the bow ties.
-Bailey ruth
Whenever my friends from other schools come to visit, they always beg to go to Keeneland. They are under the impression that everyone at UK wears fancy dresses and hats all the time-not too far from the truth! Keeneland is a good excuse to wear something nice for a day. Usually I buy Kentucky-blue dresses so that I can use them for both Keeneland and tailgating! Our attire definitely sets us apart from other schools.
Keeneland is always fun to go to and see the outfits that girls will put together. I love fall time because the cardigans and the deep colors. I am not from the south and I think it is so amazing when people dress to impress. I love the class that people bring to Keeneland. I've seen Channel bags and Louboutins there and you don't see those everywhere in Lexington. That's cool that Keenland has been around for 75 years and people still dress up. People used to dress up when they travel on planes and now you just where whatever is going to be comfortable for the amount of time you're going to be on the plane for.
Keeneland is one of the best fall activities in Lexington. Every UK student should go at least once before graduating. This article is correct in that nearly everyone dresses to impress! While nearly everyone dresses in these "southern traditional" styles, there are still some people who wear clothing that is somewhat more casual. When I went to Keeneland this Saturday, I saw a man who was decked out in UK athletic wear from head to toe- he looked very out of place! However, most of the people who go dress very well, and you will very rarely see a UK student at Keeneland who is not dressed to impress!
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