I was lucky enough to be extended an invitation to the Christmas Polo at Werribee Mansion this past weekend –an invitation I was happy to accept and immediately began planning an outfit for. What does one wear to the Polo? As dressy as the Spring Races? Or more like a casual picnic? Some basic research revealed summer dresses were the go, summer hats and sunglasses, along with a warning – don’t wear high heels.
Saturday, as us Melbournians now well know, dawned dark and foreboding. The rain was constant and torrential, letting up for a few hours mid-morning but making it clear it was set in for the day. As I drove out to Werribee, fedora and sunglasses on the seat beside me, I wondered whether I should have perhaps packed a brolly and gumboots instead.
The mud did not deter us as we skipped over puddles and ran through open spaces to the Laurent Perrier Albert Park Hotel Marquee, where we could be safely sheltered from the wet stuff and enjoy the other wet stuff – champagne!
Watermelon and feta cheese rounds were divine, mini hamburgers and hot dogs quirky and endless supplies of bubbles, Pimms and other prettily coloured beverages a direct contrast to the bleakness of the sky outside our tent.
People walked about barefoot, but there was none of the spring racing no-no’s associated with it. Men’s shirts were drenched and clingy; women’s hair damp and curling, and not a person went by without mud up the back of their legs. It truly was a day to remember.
While the horses played some sport – I didn’t manage to see much of it – everything you have seen in Pretty Woman is true. They do stomp the divots, the atmosphere is casual elegance and I could easily have seen myself sitting on a car getting my shoes shined if the weather had have been more accommodating.
It certainly wasn’t cold, rather a blessing, but the rain didn’t do much to dampen anyone’s spirit. By 3pm we were working our way into the Fashion TV marquee next door, with little care for umbrellas or the state of our feet.
My fabulous companion, Sarah from StyleMelbourne (whom I thank so much for introducing me to this fabulous new world) took some lovely photos of the social set through the rain. Visit StyleMelbourne for the shots – and a little cocktail ring action from me!
