Sincerely Formula 1: Ride to survive It premiered on Netflix in 2019. Racing has permeated every corner of our lives, and fashion is no exception. But clearly, while some people were looking at the cars, others may have been thinking, “Damn, Lewis Hamilton can rock a racing jacket.” Fall 2023 ready-to-wear has proven to be a particularly Formula 1-centric season, and now we’re seeing it come off the runways and onto the streets.
CHARLIE’S ANGELS, Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu, 2000©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
Whether it’s checkered flag pants, rugged driving gloves or, of course, the classic racing jacket, designers around the world have taken inspiration from the sport. Last season we saw sleek zip-up tops from Louis Vuitton, leather motorcycle pants from Theophilio and David Kohm’s sponsor-laced racing jackets. The spring 2024 shows have shown that our obsession with Formula 1 is not dying, but evolving. From baggy Saint Laurent overalls and leather balaclavas that could belong to the world’s chicest team, to the bulky, utilitarian gloves of Ferrari, racing car fashion is still going strong.
But make no mistake: we’ve seen this trend before. 2000s movie Charlie’s Angels shows a racing scene with Cameron Diaz driving and Lucy Liu and Drew Barrymore as her pit crew. All three of them were wearing blue jumpsuits, cinched at the waist, all unbuttoned at different heights. And in 2001, Victoria Beckham cheered on her husband David’s Premier League game in a look more suited to a very different sport: a black leather jacket with blue and white racing stripes, check jeans and aviators.
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As Y2K creeps its way back into our closets, it’s no surprise that Formula 1-appropriate clothing is making its way back into the zeitgeist. They’ve been all the rage over the past couple of years, with stars like Bella Hadid, Dua Lipa, Kendall Jenner and Rosalía—a moto herself—rocking the leather racing jacket. Some, like Hadid, like to use it as a hint of masculinity in a sexy outfit (she paired a black and yellow Balenciaga with a yellow plunging blouse and black leather pants); others, like Jenner, use it to spruce up their classic outfit by pairing it with a white T-shirt and blue jeans.
During fashion month, we also learned how people are planning to wear the look for fall, with Tyga opting for a full motorcycle suit by Givenchy, while DJ Peggy Gou took a more sophisticated approach, paying homage to plaid trousers. Cate Blanchett floated in the middle in a form-fitting Louis Vuitton racing suit. Others paired the blazer with more feminine pieces like maxi dresses and miniskirts. So, whether you’re looking to enjoy life on the grid or just add a little sportiness to your wardrobe ahead of the colder weather, now is the time to make a statement with bold race-inspired looks.
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Photo: Christian Wierig/Getty Images
Shop our favorite racing jackets below.