Luxury Travel Insider Guide to Cartier International Polo

With royalty, movie stars, music icons and a 25,000 strong crowd all in attendance, the Cartier International Polo Day is the highlight the British social season and the place to see and be seen in London this summer. So how do you get set for the big day?

With bright, bold colours—electric blue, orange and yellow—filling the catwalks for the 2009 summer season, there's no room for shy wallflowers this season…least of all at the Cartier Polo.

For stylish skirts and dresses that won’t get you in trouble with the stewards, my "sources" recommend Stella McCartney and Marc Jacobs in Mayfair. For beautiful heels that won't give you that sinking feeling, Louboutin wedges are the shoe of choice.
Naturally the British summer season is the perfect excuse to don a fabulously flamboyant hat or simply mark your style signature with a discreet yet unique accessory. Gina Foster is one of the rising stars of British millinery and provides a bespoke service which is ideal for any event. Order online and have your hat delivered to you.

And, gentlemen, let's not forget that there's a degree of sartorial preparation on your side too. For the classic British look, Ede and Ravenscroft never fails. But if you’re looking for something a little less conventional, Richard James on Saville Row is the place to go. For those of us who tend to be pressed for time or struggle to make a decision alone on such occasions, my recommendation is to book a personal shopping appointment with Camilla Yonge. Always happy to accommodate even the most reluctant shoppers, Camilla will ensure that you are perfectly poised to meet London's most fashionable set.

And of course no truly British summer social event is complete without a picnic. Naturally, if you've just landed, compiling the perfect picnic can be more of a challenge. In my view, the only place in London to source the perfect picnic is Daylesford Organic. Specialising in organic, fresh, seasonal British produce, Daylesford Organic will create a perfect picnic with just 24 hours notice. The meats, cheeses and breads all come directly from their organic estate in Staffordshire and every single product is fully sustainable and free from any additives or preservatives.

So you've got the outfit, your picnic is being prepared and you should be leaving in an hour, but you're not quite as coiffed as you might like to be. Well, a quick visit to Hersheson's Blow Dry Bar will have you groomed to perfection in no time. In just 30 minutes they’ll have you looking like you spent all morning in the salon.

Getting to the event on time and in style is clearly a must—you don't want to be stuck in London traffic and miss the throw-in. A 4x4 Range Rover limousine is the perfect way to arrive at Windsor, with plenty of space for the picnic and the champagne. And if you do have the misfortune to find yourself trapped in traffic, there are two TV screens complete with DVD player and a choice of 33 channels to keep you entertained.

Party people will know that the action doesn't stop once the polo has finished and the star-studded after-parties will keep you dancing until dawn. This year, the only place to be is the Chinawhite Evening Party which will see performances from legendary DJs Sam Young, Rob Marmot and Jezebel Sound System.

For those who manage to make it through to the next morning, a survivor's champagne breakfast is guaranteed at any hour at the aptly-named Vingt-Quatre, a stylish 24 hour restaurant on the Fulham Road. But if you're seeking a hearty brunch, Automat is a surprisingly chic American Brasserie which is guaranteed to get you through the day after the night before!

If you're looking to round off the day with a quintessentially English brunch experience, head straight to the Wolseley, but be sure to book ahead to avoid the queues.

More information: Sheraton Park Tower, A Luxury Collection Hotel