With the upcoming polo season about to start, you might be attending for the very first time. It can be an event that is difficult to dress for if you’ve never attended a polo match before, but that’s why we’re here! The general rule is that the more high-profile the match, the dressier you have to be. However, we know most of our customers are likely to attend an event which is more on the local side, meaning smart-casual attire. Keep reading for our guide on what to wear to the polo.
How to Decide What to Wear to the Polo
The first point to consider is the event itself. If you’re attending the UK’s most prestigious polo event, the Cartier Queen’s Cup, a formal ensemble is essential. There are a variety of tickets available, but some come with a strict dress code.
If you’re going as a member or for a formal lunch, you’re expected to wear smart attire. For gentlemen, that’s a suit and collared shirt, and for women, it’s dresses, skirts or tailored trousers or a suit.
However, if you’re just in the regular grandstand, you can opt for smart-casual outfits. Always double-check the dress code in case it’s more formal than you’d originally thought.
The second point to consider is the weather. As always in the UK, the weather is often a ticking point for outdoor events, especially during the summer.
You might need to take an umbrella or a waterproof jacket with you. You could also need to wear leather shoes with a decent tread, as many outdoor spaces could be tarmacked or on grass.
However, it’s always best to triple-check the weather before you attend any outdoor event in the UK at any time of the year!
What Style Should I Wear to the Polo?
Another general rule of thumb is to dress up for a polo match. Whilst you don’t need to wear a three-piece suit or ball gown, casual clothing isn’t recommended for most events.
Smart trousers and a collared shirt are a safe, go-to option for men and women, as you want to be smart-casual without being too formal.
Think preppy, countryside style. You want to look sophisticated but comfortable, because it can be a long day watching the polo outdoors.
For those who live in the countryside, this sort of style should be second nature to you as it’s simply an elevated version of what you wear every day!
You’ll probably already own multiple, if not all, pieces mentioned in this guide – it’s just about how you style them for the event.
What to Wear to the Polo: Men
If in doubt, pull out your best gear! Think elevated office wear and you won’t look out of place. Start with fitted trousers – they could be suit trousers, chinos, or even jeans. If you’re going down the chino or jeans route, choose something easy to dress up. Olive or beige chinos are a staple for most men, and a pair of dark-wash jeans should be in every country gentleman’s wardrobe, too.
When you have your trousers sorted, it’s time to think about your top half. A button-up shirt is the go-to smart item for any gentleman, and this is where you can go crazy with colour or pattern if you wish to. By keeping your bottom half neutral, adding colour on top helps to make the item stand out. Hues of red or blue work well against dark denim, and shades of greens and browns look amazing worn with beige or olive chinos. Whether you opt for a check or a country pattern, any button-up shirt will look smart against dark trousers.
Consider adding a blazer if the dress code is particularly formal, but otherwise, any smart jacket will do. It once again depends on the weather, but if there’s a chill in the air, it's best to take a jacket just in case. A wax jacket is the perfect style for the go-between – it’s trendy enough to keep your look cohesive, but it’s not as restrictive as a blazer.
To finish off the look, leather shoes are a must. Many polo matches mean you’ll either be standing on turf, tarmac or gravel, so easy-to-clean shoes are a must, along with a decent tread. Brogues or Chelsea boots are great options, provided they don’t have a smooth, flat sole. Finish off the look with a leather belt (perfect if it can match the leather of your shoes) and a pair of sunglasses. You’ll easily win that award for best-dressed!
What to Wear to the Polo: Women
Women get slightly more options, as of course, you can opt for trousers, but a fitted tweed skirt works just as well. For a polo match, a tweed skirt should hit mid-thigh or just about the knee. You don’t want to wear a miniskirt, but longer tweed skirts aren’t very flattering either.
If you opt for trousers, just like the gentlemen, dark wash slim fit jeans are best or dark-coloured chinos are perfect if you’re not a fan of skirts. Whilst they don’t have to be tight, a pair of fitted jeans or chinos is not only more flattering on all figures, but they’re much easier to dress both up and down. Baggy jeans are not dressy, and whilst they might have come back into fashion, there’s nothing more classic than dark, fitted denim.
For a smarter dress code, a fitted button-up shirt always works. Whilst people often think shirts give off a masculine vibe, a fitted, collared shirt looks very feminine when worn with confidence. Lean into that ladylike energy with pink stripes or checks, or go classic in neutral shades of green, brown, and beige. Any fitted, collared shirt just makes you feel dressier.
When it comes to outerwear, a blazer is the item most country ladies grab when they want to make their outfit that little bit more formal. Over a shirt and dark wash jeans or a tweed skirt, it becomes a perfect outfit for the polo. Alternatively, a wax jacket is the jacket for all occasions and weathers, too!
Now time for the important part: the shoes. Your footwear can ultimately make or break your outfit. For a polo match, boots are the most ideal footwear. As long as they’re leather and have a sturdy tread, you’re good to go. Whether you love the look of knee-high boots or Chelsea ankle boots, the options are endless. Add a small handbag with a long strap as well as a pair of sunglasses, and you’ll be comfortable and chic!
When choosing what to wear to the polo, you need to find the perfect balance between dressing up but also dressing practically. You definitely want to look your best, but you’ll also be standing around for the day outside. Your footwear is the most important part, as it must have a decent tread. However, our rule of thumb with the rest of the outfit is always dress smarter than you think you should. In fact, at a polo match, it’s rare that you can be overdressed!