Four Fall Runway Trends Perfect for Breeders’ Cup

Fashion critics in-the-know often call autumn the most exciting season for style, and it’s true: the fall lets people dress for colder weather without having to completely bundle up, and cooler temps mean that everything from boots to scarves and gloves are in play.
With the Breeders’ Cup World Championships heading to Kentucky this year, it’s the perfect chance to show the world your seasonal style, and below are some ways you can incorporate some of fall 2015’s biggest runway trends into your racing wardrobe. While we’re staying away from some of the more avant-garde looks – no one at ABR is going to advocate that you wear mohair booties near a barn – there are wonderful looks that are perfect for an afternoon of championship horse racing at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky. 
1. The Saddle Bag 

15BreedersCupTrends_01a by penelopemiller featuring a leather purse
Classic, slightly preppy, and practically tailor-made for a day at the races, saddle bags were everywhere on fall runways. The ones above are from houses such as Chloé, Thakoon, Valentino, Nancy Gonzalez, Altuzarra Ghianda, Jil Sander, and Salvatore Ferragamo, and that’s just a small sample of the designers who embraced the style this season. All of those bags also cost well over $1,000, so be prepared to shell out if you’re in the mood to do a little high-end accessories shopping. The great news is that there are plenty of chic and affordable saddle bags out there just waiting for you to give them a new home, and below is an example of how to build a racetrack-ready outfit around the trend.

15BreedersCupTrends_01 by penelopemiller featuring navy stockings
I opted for a navy faux-suede Neiman Marcus saddle bag for $42, which nicely complements this $70 Topshop dress. The rust colored booties are just $27.50, and the felt Luxury Divas hat is $28. Go bold with your jewelry: I love this necklace ($55, Kenneth Cole) and watch ($22, Junior BP), but my favorite piece is the cocktail ring for $35 from House of Harlow. If it’s chilly, you can throw on a pair of tights – these navy versions are $28 by Kate Spade – then grab yourself a bourbon and enjoy the races in style! 
2. Flounce Skirts 

15BreedersCupTrends_02a by penelopemiller featuring below the knee skirts
They just sound like fun, don’t they? Flounce skirts, which feature a low, flared hem, will awaken any wearer’s inner 7-year-old: in other words, put on one of these skirts and you’re going to want to twirl constantly. Flounce skirts were all over fall 2015 runways, with designers such as Marni, Balmain, Oscar de la Renta, Dolce & Gabbana, Nina Ricci, Herve Leger, Preen, and Zac Posen showing the silhouette in their collections. Want to translate this look to a day at the Breeders’ Cup? Here’s a little inspiration for you: 

15BreedersCupTrends_02 by penelopemiller featuring heels & pumps
I started with a red skirt for $18 from Choies, then added this fantastic blouse (the print is horses!) for just $12 from Beautiful Halo. Define the waist of the ensemble with a wide belt, which were also all over runways for the fall; this one is $35 from Lauren by Ralph Lauren. A pair of $80 Sole Society Mary Janes will elongate the leg under the midi hem of the dress, and the Aldo handbag with faux-python details is a steal at $50. Add a fascinator for $45 from Charisse, then round out your accessories with the $35 Vince Camuto earrings, the $30 Sole Society tortoiseshell sunnies and finish the look off with this $6.29 Revlon lip crayon. 
3. Brocade 

15BreedersCupTrends_03a by penelopemiller featuring Elie Saab
Sumptuous, glamorous, and filled with baroque charm, brocade was a rich addition to runways this autumn. While the luxe fabric is a staple at Dolce & Gabbana and Etro, other fashion houses such as Lanvin, Giamba, Valentino, Donna Karan (which was a huge surprise for the usually minimalist and sleek aesthetic of that atelier), Marques' Almeida, and Rochas showed brocade in their autumn collections. Think the material is a little much for the races? Not to worry! There are ways to incorporate brocade into an ensemble without looking like your grandparents’ sofa that was always covered up with plastic unless really important company was coming over. 

15BreedersCupTrends_03 by penelopemiller featuring wide rings
I love this brocade skirt from Grace Elements for $60; I added a high-necked Badgley Mischka blouse for $100 and a fitted white blazer for $26 by Zeagoo. Too keep the look ready for the races, not the Ren Faire, add sleek and modern accessories. I adore these silver-and-black mules from L.A.M.B. for $103, and the $91 handbag is made by Fiorelli. The earrings are $23 from Catherine Stein, and the ring is Kendra Scott for $28. Top everything off with this $60 by Lillibet’s Millinery, add a blood-red swipe of MAC’s $20 Vamplify lip color, and you’re ready to head to the races! 
4. Capes 

15BreedersCupTrends_04a by penelopemiller featuring a red cape coat
Let your internal superhero rejoice, because fall 2015 is all about capes! From Missoni to Stella McCarney, Dolce & Gabbana to Valentino, capes swept runways for autumn and I, for one, could not be happier! Below is one way to incorporate capes into your look for a day at the races: 

15BreedersCupTrends_04 by penelopemiller featuring gold stud earrings
I chose a Windsmoore cape with leatherette details ($240) as the focal point of the look, then added a pair of patterned trousers for $23 from H&M. The cobalt blue jersey top ($30) is also from H&M, and I love these burgundy booties for just $40 from Jessica Simpson. The elbow-length leather gloves are by Fratelli Orsini for $125, and they will look amazing disappearing into the cape’s arm holes. Accessorize with this fascinator for $125 from Etsy, a pair of sunglasses for $14 from Yes Style, a Nicole Miller tote for $98 and a pair of Stella & Dot $39 earrings. I love a bold lip color for fall, so this $6 tube of plum-hued stain is perfect for me from NYX.