Last weekend kicked off the eleventh annual Polo event at Portsea in Victoria, a mainstay of Melbourne’s summer prestigious social calendar.
The Polo has become the Melbourne Cup of summer and has often been dubbed “the Birdcage by the Sea”. And what a sea it is – the Portsea Polo field at the pointy end of the picturesque Mornington Peninsula, fronting the calm waters of the Bass Straight.
Portsea Nepean Park
On my two-hour drive from Melbourne airport, I pondered how my interpretation of the dress code “Hampton’s Summer” was going to translate once I arrived (details of outfit below). This was my first time at the Polo and I didn’t really know what to expect of a sport underpinned by such an affluent heritage.
Once I arrived, there was a sense of familiarity about it. Perhaps it was the bevvy of beauties enjoying cocktails in the sun or maybe I had Googled “Veuve Clicquot’s Polo Classic” and “Kate Middleton at Polo in Ascot” one too many times!
Whatever the case, Melbourne’s A-list enclave of Portsea did not disappoint. The tents were awash with women in floaty crisp whites and Hampton-esque beachside dresses. The gentlemen in dapper blazers and preppy chinos enjoying an ice-cold Peroni while choppers carrying celebrities hovered above.
Whitney Port in Toni Maticevski
Nadia Bartel in Josh Goot
Shots by Genovese
Polo
Jeep Chopper
Erin Maxwell (Love Shop Share), centre
As usual with these things, the event was as much about the fashionable crowd – Whitney Port, Rebecca Judd, Lindy Klim – as it was the beautiful animals galloping on the field:
– Big Brother star, Tully was kissing a girl,
– Model Rebecca Judd was showing off her gorgeous sun-kissed legs in a mini J’Aton Couture,
– Models and bloggers were frantically trying to get mobile reception to update their Instagram feeds,
– The ever-approachable Julia Gillard was taking selfies with polo-goers while still being on call for the unfolding terrorist situation in Paris, and
– The gorgeous and charismatic Whitney Port was flashing her midriff along with her new engagement bling while snuggling up to fiancé Tim Rosenman. We were expecting Whitney Port to appear wearing her own label, “Whitney Eve”. However, she was dressed in head-to-toe Toni Maticevski, styed by the charming Lana Wilkinson.
Polo
Julie Bishop
Lindy Klim in Ellery
Rebecca Judd in J’Aton Couture
Whitney Port and Tim Rosenman
Lana Wilkinson
And on hand for the Jeep sponsored afternoon was MasterChef host Matt Preston who ditched his trademark cravat as he personally dolled out sliders, fish canapés and “giant” locally produced Sunnyridge strawberries to the high-society crowd in the Jeep marquee. We were also lucky enough to be served the smashed avocado and Oakleaf lettuce on sourdough that features in his latest cookbook, Cravat-A-Licious (it’s in my Shopping Cart now).
Matt Preston
Overall, the day was one of uninterrupted pleasure. It wasn’t the Hamptons and I didn’t have the faintest clue about the rules of Polo but I enjoyed a relaxed day in the sun (in comfortable shoes), met some amazing and encouraging people, experienced my first polo match and learnt a thing or two …
Dressed by Camilla and Marc
Kate Middleton at a Charity Polo Match
With regard to shoes, stilettos are a no-no at the Polo (woohoo!). You see, the polo field and marquee floors are grass and grass grows atop dirt and stilettos sink into dirt and that can end rather unfortunately! The options are wedges or embellished sandals. I opted for a tan-coloured summer wedge from Wittner. Flat soled shoes are also a requisite for some good ol’ fashion “divot stomping” on the polo field at half-time. I had to look this up – and it’s easier if you do too. It’s a lot of fun!
Bag by Urban Originals
