This Sunday, socialites, fashion enthusiasts, and polo enthusiasts came together at the Val de Vie estate in Paarl. Despite the scorching Boland heat, guests showed up for the Veuve Clicquot Polo Series invitational, enjoying Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brut Yellow Label and delicious snacks while networking with individuals from various industries such as business, entertainment, and fashion.

This year, the event was more intimate, providing a relaxed environment for better connections. In previous years, the event was larger, leading to overcrowding. However, this time, everyone received the same access bands, eliminating the distinction between VIP spots and allowing guests to freely move between areas.

Traditionally, the polo dress code has been described as “polo chic,” but it was rarely followed in the past. Women would arrive wearing red carpet gowns, matric ball gowns, revealing outfits, and colorful fascinators, which are typically worn at horse racing events. The organizers made efforts to change this trend, and it was evident upon arrival that people were finally understanding the concept of “polo chic” and carefully choosing their outfits. Many women toned down their attire, but unfortunately, there were still some who disregarded the elegant dress code, opting for extremely short dresses, ball gowns, exposed breasts, and the dreaded fascinators.

Despite this, I remain hopeful that the fashion aspect of the event will improve next year.