Advertisement

Perfecting your look for the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic Los Angeles

Share

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

This Sunday, style and sport converge at Will Rogers State Park in Pacific Palisades during the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic Los Angeles. The polo match will feature Nacho Figueras -- Black Watch team captain, Ralph Lauren model and “the second-most handsome man in the world” (according to a 2009 Vanity Fair poll) -- playing against opposing team captain Rico Mansur. The event is free and open to the public, and should make for a chic Sunday afternoon of sport and socializing, granted the weather clears up.

While the focus here is on polo, you can’t ignore the stylish aspect of the game’s spectators. In fact, the theme of dress for Sunday is the 1920s and ‘30s (though Julia Roberts’ brown-and-white polka-dot dress in ‘Pretty Woman’ was the first thing that sprung to my mind) and guests are encouraged to channel their inner early Hollywood starlet.

Advertisement

To refine the fashion for Sunday’s game, Veuve Clicquot teamed up with Decades owner Cameron Silver, who sees the event as a chance for people to get dressed up a la Daisy Buchanan or Cary Grant. “This is great for L.A because we’re usually so casual,” Silver says. “Here we can fuse casual and dressy together and have a very glamorous old Hollywood moment.”

But the idea of finger waves and spectator shoes can be a little daunting to anyone who doesn’t already own items that fit the theme. Silver says that actual vintage regalia is not necessary. “You can wear a long floral dress (it doesn’t have to be a drop waist) and then throw on a string of pearls and a cardigan,” he says. And forget about the spiked heels. Silver suggests wedges or men’s inspired oxfords, so you don’t sink into the grass.

“You can also go for the Marlene Dietrich look with an oxford shoe, a wide leg trouser from the Gap, white shirt, tie and a fedora.” And a hat is a must -- not a beanie or Panama hat, but something with a very wide brim that is evocative of the “British eccentric” look Silver attributes to the look of a traditional polo crowd.

For the guys, he advises wearing a white shirt, khakis and a spectator shoe, should you want to keep it simple. “You can also go for the mixed patterns,” Silver says. “An Etro tie and pocket square with a suit, maybe with the pant legs rolled up. The look of a polo audience is always a little eccentric. It’s about creating a modern Gatsby look.”

For some easy inspiration, Silver recommends looking through the pictures of George Hurrell, photographer to the stars, to get you in the right frame of mind. “I’m hoping people really have fun getting dressed up,” he says. “And leave the leather pants at home. This is a Balmain-free zone.”

The Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic Los Angeles is Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. at Will Rogers State Historic Park. For more information and parking details go to www.vcseason.com.

Advertisement

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Advertisement