The world’s first Ladies Day at a motor sport event

The Goodwood Revival is the only meeting in the world set entirely to a period theme, with every detail faithful to that golden age of style, grace and glamour: 1948-1966. No other vintage fashion event anywhere takes place on such a vast scale: the event is usually attended by over 110,000 visitors, the overwhelming majority of whom are suited, booted and groomed from the tips of their ‘femme fatale’ red fingernails to their stilettoed toes, proving that the Revival is far more than a series of races for historic vehicles.

Mini adventures, maxi style and a ‘New Look’ at fashion will be on the cards from 31 August – 2 September, as tens of thousands of stylish boys and girls once more raid their wardrobes and adopt the glamorous dress of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, a time when men were men and women were glad of it.

“Finding the perfect outfit to do justice to the theatre of the surroundings is a key part of the fun of coming to the Goodwood Revival. While there isn’t a specific dress code at Goodwood, the venue seems to encourage visitors to make a welcome effort,” says the Revival’s founder Lord March.

Many of the leading vintage clothes suppliers across the UK bring their wares to the Revival Market – a unique shopping village dedicated solely and strictly to the design sensibilities of the pre-1966 period. The Market has become a great fashion network opportunity with fashionistas and serious vintage devotees meeting up to exchange tips, upgrade costumes from last year and even buy a better hat or foxier fur wrap for the event the next day.

The period of 1948 to 1966 – during which time Goodwood Motor Circuit was an active venue for top-class international racing – offers tremendous scope for choosing a ‘look’ to adopt for the event. Gentlemen can make women swoon in a tightly tailored Forces uniform; or adopt the debonair urbanity of Cary Grant; the country casual look of a James Herriot is always popular, as is the unashamedly mean and moody leather and denim of a Marlon Brando or a pre-army Elvis.

Women, too, have remarkable style icons to emulate: the sultry, smouldering glamour of Forties silver screen sirens Rita Hayworth or Ava Gardner; the voluptuous goddess dresses of Marilyn Monroe; the timeless classicism, grace and beauty of Audrey Hepburn; the perfect little suits and accessories of Jackie Kennedy and Grace Kelly; or the sheer mini-skirted, swinging joie de vivre of Twiggy. So much fashion, and only three days to dress up for!

Entry to the Goodwood Revival is strictly by advance ticket only.

Source: Goodwood