What is appropriate attire for the Preakness?

Question

(I'm a woman, btw. If I were a guy I would wear khakis and a navy blue blazer and be done with it! )

I've been to the Kentucky Derby and I know what the dress code there is like -- but I am going to the Preakness this year for the first time and I have no idea what is appropriate and what the "vibe" is like.

Is the Preakness as dressy as the Derby? We have pretty good grandstand seats, so we won't be hanging out in the infield. Should I plan to wear a dress/hat/heels as I did at the Derby? I don't mind getting dressed up if that's appropriate (it's kind of fun) but I don't want to overdo it and be the only one in a nice outfit.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Answer 1

Absolutely - dress, hat, and heels.   The Preakness is just as dressy as the Derby.

Answer 2

Yeah, i think you should dress up for the Preakness just as you would the Derby!! Hope you have fun!!!!

Answer 3

A bridle, blinkers and a shot of Lasix.

Answer 4

Yes, I would say that the dress code for the Preakness is the same as the Derby- regardless of where you are sitting or standing during the race. From the pictures I have seen on race day, everyone who goes to the races dresses up- if you remember last year, everyone connected with both Barbaro and the eventual winner, Bernardini, was dressed in business casual type clothing. I would plan on wearing a hat, and bring along some sunscreen- it may be very warm that day. Also, come prepared in case it rains and there is mud on the track or grounds- bring an umbrella, just in case. If you want to wear something that ties in with the race's official flower, wear something with black eyed susans in or on it. One other hint- try to learn the words to the state song, "Maryland, my Maryland," in advance-so you don't embarrass yourself with it. Good luck, and an early prayer that this year's race won't see the tragedy that marred the one last year.

Answer 5

I'm so jealous! My grandmother used to attend every major race when she was younger. I never have the time to go, unfortunately.

The attire for the Derby should still apply to the Preakness, especially considering that many of the same people will be attending both. :)

Answer 6

Starched Wranglers!!! at least that's what I was told was appropriate attire to go out to the track in when I moved to Kentucky.  Luckily I had been going pretty much my whole life and knew better (I had to ask what starched Wranglers were).

Kidding aside, same as Derby or Belmont, casual yet classy, I think it's better to be a little over dressed on big days, you never know where you might end up, but keep it comfortable the worst thing is being uncomfortable at the track all day (if you've been to the Derby then you know), expecially if its a hot one.  Unless your in the specific mandatory dress code areas, then I would follow the code closely.  I always laugh at the time I was at Keeneland for a race and my friend got harrased everytime we went up to the room we were in because they thought he wasn't wearing a tie, they couldn't notice his black tie on a black shirt, so they can be sticklers for the codes.

Answer 7

a bikini.

Answer 8

I think you should dress up with a summer dress and  hat. Gents are to wear Tux and tails with a tall hat. You will be going to the oldest of the Triple Crown Races. Black eyed Susan's are the flower of the day and the vase that is won by the horse is made of pure silver .999. I think it is called the Moulan Vase I could be wrong on that name. Good Luck

Answer 9

tux and tails...hmmmmmm...you cant go wrong wearing what you had originally planned provided the weather cooperates...I have one small tip for you...if you should have the derby winner keep an uncashed 2dollar win ticket...in the preakness purchase a 2 dollar win ticket on the same horse, if the horse wins dont cash that ticket, purchase the same 2 dollar win ticket on the same horse in the Belmont...if he gets there you will have a once in a lifetime ticket display to put with the programs and winning pictures of the horse...three uncashed tickets on a triple crown winner...I went to the Pacific Classic when Cigar was going for the record number of wins...bought 20 2dollar win tickets...if he had won I was going to buy up 20 new programs and send them to friends with pictures of Cigar winning...a lifetime display...but Richard Mandella the trainer of Dare and Go and Siphon had other ideas...grrrrr...he had Siphon run Cigar off his toes early  and his other horse zoomed by clear a handful of lengths at the wire with Alex Solis aboard...at 35 to 1 no less...