The Jeep Portsea Polo took over the peninsula last weekend, and while some time was spent admiring the regal sport, fashion editor Brittany’s eyes were also firmly fixed on the attractions off the field – namely, who was wearing what.
Tanned limbs, cool drinks, a seaside breeze, fashion and sport came together to make the 2014 Jeep Portsea Polo, as always, a social event not to be missed. (And frankly, what other event can you arrive at by boat or helicopter!?) While I was certainly fascinated by the sport itself (which I was assured anyone can take up but it is, unfortunately, still BYO pony) I also kept a close eye on the show ponies off the field – the guests. Plenty of time and money is spent on selecting an outfit to the event, but as with the polo matches we were all gathered to see, there were both winners and losers in the fashion stakes.
It’s a fashion rule stressed over and over again – if it’s suitable for clubbing, it’s not suitable for an event like the polo or the races. Too tight, too short and too revealing will only have you standing out for all the wrong reasons, as well as forcing you to spend most of your time constantly tugging at the hemline of your dress. There are few occasions left on the social calendar that still require a dress code, so ditch the body con and have fun playing with ladylike dressing up.
That doesn’t read boring or traditional though. Winning guests pulled off stylish, practical and fashionable with brights, classic white in modern cuts, sexy pencil skirts and chic jumpsuits spotted on the sidelines. Clearly a reflection of current and upcoming trends, we bring you five fashion lessons learnt from last weeks Jeep Portsea Polo.
1. It’s all white
White ensembles were everywhere, with many guests opting for the ever stylish (although less practical) colour in a variety of styles. I spotted dresses in ladylike lengths, lace and cotton, stylish jumpsuits and playsuits with cheeky cut outs, as well as a few crisp white shirt-and-tailored shorts combinations. The trick with white is to keep it sleek with simple accessories, or amp up the outfit with hats, accessories or makeup in bold colours for contrast.
2. Crop Tops can be classy
It’s everywhere on the catwalks and on the street, so take note: the sexiest bit of skin to flash this summer is a slither of toned midriff. Done right, it can be sexier than any hint of leg or décolletage. Most crop tops were seen at the polo as compliments to high-waisted bottoms and tight pencil skirts. Keep either top or bottom in a basic colour, and go bold on the other. Pop a contrasting colour on your lips, cat eye shades and a floppy hat on and you’re good to go.
3. Orange is the new black
If the polo had to be described in one colour, it would definitely have been orange. In varying hues from muted to neon, orange was everywhere. Skirts, dresses, jumpsuits, lips and bags – there was no end to the burst of citrus bright, and it’s a great colour to wear if you’re rocking a killer (fake!) tan. Brights were seen on the boys too, adding an extra dimension to the polo uniform of chino shorts or pants, slightly unbuttoned shirt and boat shoes.
4. Flats can be stylish too
A practical necessity at the polo, flats or wedges are crucial unless you want to be tottering unsteadily around the field. Pretty sandals, leather wedges and low heeled shoes in bright colours were a plenty, proving that a stiletto isn’t always a necessity for a great outfit. In the coming seasons, we’ll see flats becoming more and more the shoe du jour, so consider the swap from platform to flats in everyday dress too.
5. Who’s wearing the pants?
Some of my favourite outfits I saw throughout the day were so because they broke away from the predictable dress or skirt choice – meet the trouser for formal dressing! Practical, stylish and offering a little something different, a great fitting pair of pants are a chic and strong option for an event or going out. Printed pants were huge last season, but it was all about monochrome at the polo in a variety of styles – cropped, flared, high-waisted, tight or flowing, but always worn with a cool attitude.
