I went to my first polo match maybe eight years ago now, with my sister, and honestly I had NO idea what to wear. I panicked and packed three whole dresses into a tote bag “just in case,” which of course I never do for anything else.
Turns out the dress code sits somewhere between a garden party and a day at the races. You want to look nice, sure, but you also have to walk across grass and stand around for a couple of hours in the sun.
So I’ve been collecting outfit ideas ever since, partly for me and partly because my sister keeps texting me asking what she should wear whenever an invitation lands.
20 Looks for a Day at the Polo Grounds
Gingham Maxi Dress With Woven Flats
Gingham feels made for a field on a bright day. A maxi length keeps you covered from the sun and it just floats when there’s a breeze, which there always is at these things.
Pair it with woven flats, not heels, because you WILL be standing on grass. My sister learned that the hard way in stilettos and spent half the match sinking into the turf.
White Linen Dress With Straw Hat
You cannot go wrong with a white linen dress. It’s the kind of thing that photographs beautifully and feels cool even when the day heats up.
Add a straw hat with a wide brim, both for the shade and because it looks so classic against the green. This is probably the outfit I reach for first, if I’m being honest.
Floral Midi Dress With Espadrilles
A floral midi is soft and easy and it reads “I made an effort” without you actually having to try very hard. And espadrilles keep the feet comfortable through the long stretches of standing around between chukkas.
Of course, a small florals print tends to feel more refined than a big loud one, but that’s just my taste. Pick what makes you happy.
Striped Polo Shirt With Pleated Skirt
Here’s where you can lean into the theme a little. A crisp striped polo shirt tucked into a pleated skirt is sporty and sweet at the same time.
It’s the sort of look that says you belong there, even if it’s your very first match and you’re secretly googling the rules on your phone. So comfy too, which matters more than people admit.
Linen Vest With Bermuda Shorts
Not everyone wants a dress, and that is completely fine. A linen vest layered over a light top with tailored Bermuda shorts is a lovely alternative that still feels put together.
The longer short length keeps it appropriate and a touch more polished than a shorter cut. I wore something like this last summer and felt so pulled together, honestly.
Blue Shirt Dress With Tan Sandals
A blue shirt dress is one of those pieces that works for almost any daytime event. Belt it at the waist and it instantly looks intentional.
Tan sandals keep the palette warm and grounded. Flat ones, ideally, for all the reasons I’ve already mentioned about grass.
Polka Dot Dress With Ballet Flats
Polka dots have a playful, retro feel that suits an outdoor afternoon so well. Not too serious, just charming.
Ballet flats finish it off with a bit of French-girl ease. My friend Dana swears by them for events like this because she can walk forever in them and never complain, which is more than I can say for most of my shoes.
White Blouse With Linen Trousers
If you run cold, or you just prefer trousers, a white blouse with linen trousers is elegant and breezy. It’s the outfit I’d pick for a cooler, overcast day.
Roll the sleeves, add a slim belt, and you look effortless without trying. And it travels well, which is a nice bonus if you’re driving out to the grounds.
Pastel Co-Ord With Flat Sandals
A matching pastel set does all the thinking for you, which I love on a busy morning. You throw it on and you’re done and you look like you planned everything.
Soft lilac, butter yellow, pale mint. Any of these feels fresh against the field. Flat sandals keep it easy and walkable.
Puff Sleeve Dress With Raffia Bag
Puff sleeves add a bit of romance to a simple dress and they photograph beautifully in that late afternoon light. There’s something so pretty about a little volume at the shoulder.
A raffia bag is the perfect summer accessory to carry along. You’ll want somewhere to keep your sunscreen, your phone, and whatever program they hand you at the gate.
Navy Blazer With White Shorts
Now THIS is the preppy look. A navy blazer thrown over white shorts is crisp, nautical, and always looks expensive even when it isn’t.
I keep coming back to this combination because it’s so easy to dress up or down. Add gold earrings and you’re set. My husband actually said I looked “very yacht club” the day I wore it, which I took as a compliment.
Eyelet Midi Dress With Woven Sandals
Eyelet fabric has that delicate, summery texture that just belongs at an outdoor gathering. It lets the air through, too, which you’ll be grateful for.
A midi length keeps things graceful, and woven sandals tie the natural, warm-weather feel together. Simple and lovely.
Silk Scarf Top With Wide-Leg Trousers
For something a little more fashion-forward, try a silk scarf top with wide-leg trousers. It feels breezy and a bit glamorous, like you might wander off to lunch afterwards.
The flowy trousers move so nicely when you walk. Just be a little mindful of the grass at the hem, but that’s a small price for looking this good.
Striped Shirt With White Midi Skirt
A striped shirt tucked into a white midi skirt is one of those combos I fall back on again and again. It’s coastal, it’s classic, and it never feels overdone.
Add a straw bag and some simple flats and you’ve got a look that works for the match and for wherever you go afterwards.
Tennis Dress With Lightweight Cardigan
A tennis dress leans into the sporty side of the day in the best way. It’s short, it’s fresh, and it feels appropriate for a game.
Throw a lightweight cardigan over your shoulders in case the evening cools down. I always regret not bringing a layer when I don’t, every single time.
Pleated Mini Dress With Loafers
A pleated mini dress is youthful and fun, and pleats have that lovely swing when there’s any wind at all. And at a polo match, there’s always wind.
Loafers dress it down just enough so it doesn’t feel too dainty. This is a great polo match outfit for someone who likes a bit of edge with their prettiness.
Floral Maxi Dress With Wedge Sandals
A big beautiful floral maxi is such a statement, and the field is the perfect place for a statement dress. Go bold with the print here if you want to.
Wedge sandals are the smart choice because they give you a little height without sinking straight into the ground. In fact, wedges might be the only heel that truly survives a lawn.
White Jumpsuit With Flat Sandals
A white jumpsuit is such an easy one-and-done outfit, and it always looks so chic. You don’t have to think about a top and a bottom matching, it’s all just there.
Flat sandals keep it relaxed and gold accessories add a hint of glam. I love how a jumpsuit makes me feel a little taller and a little braver, if that makes sense.
Polo Knit With Tailored Shorts
A fine polo knit with tailored shorts is a nod to the sport itself, and it looks so polished in person. The knit adds a bit of texture that a plain top just doesn’t have.
Keep the colors soft and neutral for that quiet, expensive look. Add a slim belt and you’re all set for a warm afternoon on the grounds.
Linen Midi Skirt With Tank Top
And to close things out, a linen midi skirt with a simple tank top is comfort and style rolled into one.
You can add a little jewelry, a straw bag, and some flat sandals and call it done. It’s the outfit I’d wear if I wanted to look nice but mostly wanted to be comfortable, which is most days lately.
