Bring the family and head to St. Charles County on June 9, to watch Kräftig and Wells Fargo Advisors battle for the win in one of the most uncommon public sports in St. Louis: the fast-paced game of polo, featuring world-class players and horses.

The charity match is held at Blue Heron Polo Club in Defiance, Mo. There are lots of kid-friendly activities, including wagon rides and divot stomping. Proceeds benefit Epworth, an organization that provides direct services to more than 7,000 at-risk youth ages birth to 25 and their families each year. Honorary co-chairs are Christi and Billy Busch, and the event is hosted by St. Louis Benefit Polo.

Contemplating what to wear to a polo match? Actually, there are lots of choices, from dresses to pants to walking shorts in lightweight fabrics. Casual dress silhouettes can be long or short. Bright colors help deflect the heat. Have fun with accessories, like a big floppy hat and a great pair of sunglasses. When selecting shoes, remember that you’ll be walking on dirt and grass. High heels will get stuck in the ground easily. And be sure to wear strong sunscreen.

Eileen Fisher, Neiman Marcus
Eileen Fisher, Neiman Marcus

[tricks of the trade]
Q: Wearing darks in summer—is it OK or best to stick with a light palette?

A: Darks, especially black, are seasonless. You’ll find black linen, strictly a summer fabric, in the stores everywhere. And dark colors are slimming, especially in a skirt or pant. But for the practical purpose of staying cool, I recommend wearing a light color palette as much as possible. If you feel more comfortable with dark on the bottom, say in your pant or skirt, that’s fine. You can pair it with a light or even bright color on top.

[Ellen Soule is a public relations and fashion consultant. She is the Regional Director for Fashion Group International, St. Louis Chapter.]