Grand Prix Chic
By Caroline Downey
Rascal Flatts were on to something when they sang about “fast cars and freedom.” Owing to the sensation series “Drive to Survive” on Netflix, many Americans are now addicted to Formula One (F1).
While an international spectacle, F1 is viral in the U.S. The exhilarating speed, opulent culture, and intrigue of the long-regarded apex of motor sports has gripped the nation. After the fanfare of the Las Vegas circuit in mid-November, lucky ticket-holders and invited guests attended the Abu Dhabi Grands Prix this past weekend.
Besides testing the limits of physics and affluence, F1 has sparked an aesthetic, advanced by the posh wives and girlfriends of the drivers. The fandom has even trickled into the fashion influencer scene in the U.S. With that, a new street style may be revving up. Featuring colored leather, edgy sunnies, and a hint of vintage, motocore is bringing glam to the grid and beyond.
LITTLE WHITE TEE
With origins in the late 1940s, F1 evokes a classier, more refined time. Your race outfit would be incomplete without a cropped white t-shirt with a chic throwback graphic. Think “Coca Cola” in the original font or another iconic emblem. Bonus points for sporting the signature cherub tee by Italian label Fiorucci, which has drawn inspiration from the prestigious racing competition. The first race under F1 regulations took place in Italy in 1946.
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MINI SKIRT
A mini or micro skirt is the perfect complement to the oversized leather racing jacket. A black number is particularly versatile and appropriate for the typical evening setting of the F1 race. After-parties are common! If you’re donning F1 out on the town, a mini skirt is fun and flirty. F1 is miles more elevated than Nascar, and attendees are often dripping with dazzling designers. However, the early 2000s have merged into the race trend for the average gal, showing signs of teeny-tiny, skin-tight styles you might see on Devon Aoki in Fast and Furious or Megan Fox in Transformers.
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RETRO BAG
Maybe childhood classics Herbie: Fully Loaded and Pixar’s Cars planted the idea, but racing feels retro and nostalgic, evoking an old Americana spirit and color pops you’d see on the original Campbell’s Soup can. Racing stripes, whether on heavier stock cars or aerodynamic open-wheel F1 cars, can cover the whole spectrum of the rainbow, such as cherry red, electric blue, and lemon yellow. Your accessories, like your handbag, should reflect the vibrancy of the sport. Skip the large satchel or tote and instead select a handheld shoulder bag that matches the hues of your favorite team. Ka-Chow.
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SHADES
Cool sunglasses convey confidence and flair. Consider ski mask-esque shades, which cover significant surface area but, frankly, look epic. Whether translucent or tinted, the glasses for this outfit should make you feel ready to get behind the wheel, even if it’s just of your sedan. You could choose mod and colorful, or thin metal rims with a sturdy silhouette. Why not play an alluring female mechanic who’s been tinkering on engines all day? Mona Lisa Vito from My Cousin Vinny!
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MOTO JACKET
Finally, the pièce de résistance: the racing jacket. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, after all. Masculine clothes on women are the moment, so rock a sleek leather bomber of Ferrari or Alpha Romeo, adorned with branded patches and patterns. Though maximalist, it’s a valuable statement piece and at minimum a conversation starter.
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1. Lioness Biker 2. LAMARQUE Moto 3. UO Fitted Racer 4. Réformation Denim 5. MIAOU Vaughn 6. Superdown Jackie 7. RAE Collarlesss 8. Deadwood Racer
Caroline Downey is the Editor-in-Chief of The Conservateur and an education reporter at National Review. She can be found on Twitter @carolinedowney_.