There are places where history, sport, and elegance converge so naturally that they seem destined to host both champions and style icons, and Chantilly is one of them. Just forty five minutes from Paris, the Domaine de Chantilly is a jewel of French heritage, known for its château, its legendary stables, and a centuries-old equestrian tradition that has long seduced aristocrats, artists, and now fashion insiders. The Polo Club de Chantilly, with its nine immaculate grass fields, has become not only a stage for world-class polo but also a backdrop where fashion and lifestyle merge seamlessly.
By Sofia Alurralde
A closer look at how polo in France transforms into a runway of effortless chic.
This season, as the Open de France Barnes celebrated its 25th anniversary, polo itself shared the spotlight with another powerful protagonist: Style. Matches may have crowned champions, but the real fascination was how fashion carved out its own territory, galloping as confidently as the horses on the field. “At Chantilly, dressing up is part of the ritual,” one guest told us between champagne flutes and chukkers. “It’s not about being formal, it’s about being memorable.”
Polo, but Make it Fashion
French elegance thrives on this idea of understated sophistication never forced, always lived. At the polo final, sartorial codes were written not by a rigid uniform but by personal interpretation, a dialogue between heritage and individuality. The result? A living runway that felt at once timeless and utterly of-the-moment.
Classics were everywhere: Leather jackets and trenches for crisp mornings, cashmere sweaters layered with ease, the eternal pairing of jeans and a white shirt elevated to “old money chic” with suede blazers or corduroy tailoring. The bohemian spirit also found its place on the grass, think fluid blouses, flowing skirts under embroidered jackets, finished with boots that balanced freedom and polish.
And speaking of footwear, polo dictates its own rulebook: stilettos are banished by the unforgiving turf. Instead, low block heels, equestrian boots, western-inspired styles, moccasins, loafers, and designer sneakers reigned supreme.
Then came the preppy revival: tartan blazers, pleated skirts, collegiate charm softened by French nonchalance, an “Oxford on holiday in Chantilly” look that charmed with wit and ease. Ponchos and capes also dominated, whether in neutral camel and grey or bold graphic prints, versatile pieces that served as both fashion statements and practical outerwear, equally embraced by men and women.
Accessories: The silent narrators
In polo style, accessories are far from afterthoughts, they are declarations. Hats, whether wide-brimmed, fedora, or gaucho-inspired, were both shields from the sun and invitations for the camera. Silk, cashmere, and lightweight wool scarves were omnipresent, worn nonchalantly around the neck, draped across shoulders, or tied to handbags, a single gesture capable of transforming a look from classic to personal.
As one stylish attendee remarked with a smile, “You don’t come to Chantilly without a hat. It’s like showing up at the opera without an aria.”
Perhaps what made this 25th edition of the Open de France Barnes so unforgettable was the harmony of contrasts. Minimalist sporty chic, clean lines, neutral palettes, discreet jewelry shared space with unapologetic glamour: Flamboyant hats, daring prints, and bold accessories. No single formula defined the event; rather, it was a celebration of stylistic diversity, where every guest became part of the mise-en-scène.
This is the proof that polo is not only a competition but also a cultural tableau. Here, tradition does not constrain but inspires, and modern fashion codes unfold organically, as natural as champagne flutes raised under the September sun.
In Chantilly, the final chukkers may have determined the champions on the field, but beyond the trophies, what lingered was the memory of style effortless, expressive, and impossibly chic. Polo was played, champagne was poured, and fashion quietly stole the show.
Credits:
Photos: @sinsoledad_xi_photos