Foreign Minister Julie Bishop remains firm that she never planned to attend this year's Portsea Polo. An unworn Hugo Boss outfit suggests otherwise.

Fairfax Media can reveal the global fashion house had reportedly agreed to dress the foreign minister, who was set to be one of the star attractions at the annual society event on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula.

Instead, Ms Bishop was a late no-show, citing the visit to Australia by Japan's Prime Minister as the reason for her absence.

Ms Bishop had been scheduled to attend as a guest of naming sponsor Alfa Romeo but in the wake of the government expenses scandal, including the fact she billed taxpayers to attend last year's event, she opted not to attend.