There’s something about polo season that calls for a very particular kind of dressing – equal parts polished and practical, elevated yet effortless.
With long days in the sun, grass underfoot and a social calendar that leans daytime chic, getting your outfit right is all about smart choices that still feel stylish.
Few designers understand this balance better than Caitlin Crisp. Known for her refined silhouettes and wearable elegance, Caitlin shares her expert approach to polo-season dressing, from fabrics and footwear to the accessories that quietly pull a look together — plus the pieces she’d personally wear trackside.
The Styling Q&A
When dressing for the polo, what’s the first thing you consider – the setting, the dress code, or personal comfort?
The setting! I feel the other two come under this bracket also – the way you dress has to suit the setting, and be comfortable and functional for a day in the sun and on the grass.
Are there any silhouettes or pieces you think work especially well for polo events year after year?
I lean toward a flowy silhouette or something with stretch for comfort. Think elevated daywear rather than more slinky, evening-style silhouettes.
What are your go-to fabrics or textures for summer polo dressing, particularly in the New Zealand climate?
Linen and cotton are your best friends! Light and breathable for a day in the sun.
What’s your advice when it comes to footwear – chic but still grass-appropriate?
Yes! A wedge or espadrille is a safe bet. I have found a gorgeous mid-heel online this year (and I’m hoping they arrive in time!). Our Le Wedge is perfect and comes in a great range of neutrals.
Accessories can make or break a look at the polo. What do you always recommend adding (or avoiding)?
Leave the fascinator at home and opt for a wide-brimmed hat – chic and functional. A great pair of sunnies can really pull a look together, too.
If someone is starting with a very simple base outfit, what’s one styling trick you’d suggest to instantly elevate it for the polo?
Add a scarf or borrow a statement bag from a friend! I’ve found a gorgeous long skinny scarf to tie around my hat to give it new life and tie in with the rest of my outfit.
Caitlin’s Polo-Perfect Outfit Picks
When it comes to what she’d actually wear, Caitlin keeps it simple – and lets the silhouette do the talking.
The Dress
“I am wearing one of them!”
Flowy, breathable and unmistakably refined, these are the kind of dresses that feel just as good at midday as they do into golden hour.
The Shoe
A mid-heel wedge that works with the grass (and your feet) while still looking polished.
The Finishing Touch
DH x Cass Deller Hastings St Silk Scarf
Perfect for tying around a hat, neck or bag, a silk scarf is Caitlin’s go-to styling trick for adding personality without overthinking it.
Taking the Spirit of the Polo Beyond the Grounds
If you want to channel the spirit of polo season well beyond match day, Caitlin Crisp’s CC Polo Club Capsule offers a considered take on the kind of relaxed polish that defines dressing trackside – and off it.
Released ahead of the Milford New Zealand Polo Open, the limited-edition capsule marks the unofficial start of polo season, capturing the elegance, ease and social energy that surrounds the event. Inspired by the culture of the Open – where fashion is as integral to the experience as the sport itself – the collection reflects how polo dressing has evolved: timeless, wearable and quietly elevated.
The edit is intentionally concise, built around three match-day essentials designed to transition seamlessly into everyday wear: a cotton knit jumper, a classic cap, and a generously sized tote. Pieces that feel perfectly at home on the sidelines, yet just as relevant long after the final chukka.
“Fashion has always been an important part of the Polo experience,” says Lucy Ainsley, Executive Director of the Milford New Zealand Polo Open. “The CC Polo Club Capsule captures the spirit of match day – polished, relaxed and designed to be worn well beyond the grounds – in a way that feels very relevant to how our audience dresses today.”
That sensibility runs through each piece. The CC Polo Club Cotton Knit Jumper ($350) is crafted from soft, breathable cotton with a relaxed silhouette, finished with contrast trim at the neckline, cuffs and hem. It’s the kind of layer that works just as easily over tailoring as it does thrown on for a coastal weekend. The CC Polo Club Cap ($55) features a classic curved brim with an adjustable back strap, while the CC Polo Club Tote ($55), made from sturdy cotton canvas, is roomy enough for polo-day essentials – or everyday life.
For Crisp, the capsule reflects the way spectators engage with polo today, where tradition meets modern dressing. “We’re so excited to introduce our limited-edition CC Polo Club Capsule,” she says. “Each piece is intended to feel effortless, elevated and wearable well beyond the grounds.”
The launch coincides with the countdown to the 2026 Milford New Zealand Polo Open, taking place on Sunday 15 February 2026 at the Auckland Polo Club in Clevedon. The upcoming event also marks a new chapter for the Open, with Milford Asset Management stepping in as naming-rights partner for the first time.
Available in strictly limited quantities, the CC Polo Club Capsule is available now at caitlincrisp.com. Consider it your cue – polo season has officially arrived.
For tickets and more information about the Milford New Zealand Polo Open, visit nzpoloopen.com.
