Dressing for Goodwood Revival
Goodwood Revival is about far more than historic motor racing. For one weekend, the Motor Circuit returns to its post-war heyday and thousands of visitors become part of the spectacle, dressed in styles inspired by the 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s.
The circuit originally operated from 1948 to 1966, which gives you a wonderfully broad period to choose from. You might prefer the neat tailoring and practical elegance of the 1940s, the defined waists and full skirts of the 1950s, or the cleaner lines and bolder details of the early 1960s. Period dress is encouraged rather than compulsory, but joining in is great fun and need not mean buying an entirely new wardrobe.
What Katie Did has exhibited at Goodwood Revival for 20 years, so our advice comes from real experience of early starts, long days, blazing sunshine, chilly mornings, sudden rain and the occasional stocking emergency. The most successful outfit is not necessarily the most elaborate. It is the one that captures the spirit of your chosen era while allowing you to walk, sit, shop, watch the racing and enjoy yourself throughout a very long day.
SHOP GOODWOOD REVIVAL FASHION
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Goodwood Revival Outfits for Women
If you want a straightforward starting point, choose one era and build your outfit around its most recognisable silhouette. You do not need every detail to be historically exact; a few well-chosen pieces will do far more than a collection of accessories competing for attention.
1940s
A tailored tea dress or a blouse with a high-waisted skirt, finished with seamed stockings, low-heeled lace-up shoes and a beret or structured handbag. A neat cardigan or jacket is useful when the morning is cool, while a red lip and a simple updo will complete the look without making it feel overdone.
1950s
A full-skirted dress with a petticoat and waist cincher, or a wiggle dress worn over a bullet bra and girdle, with seamed hosiery and comfortable court shoes. The foundation garments matter here because they create the defined bustline and waist that the clothing was originally cut to follow.
Early 1960s
A shift dress or cigarette trousers with a fitted knit, worn with seamed tights, low heels, a boxy handbag and oversized sunglasses. Keep the line cleaner than a 1950s outfit and let one or two bold accessories provide the period detail.
You’ll find seamed hosiery, vintage-inspired lingerie, shapewear, petticoats and accessories in our Goodwood Revival fashion and outfit collection.
Choose Your Era
The Revival covers almost two decades of changing fashion, so “vintage” can mean several very different things. Choosing a particular era will make the rest of your decisions much easier, from the shape of your underwear to the height of your heel.
A 1940s Goodwood Revival Outfit
Wartime and immediate post-war clothing was practical, economical and beautifully put together. Look for tea dresses, shirtwaist dresses, high-waisted skirts, wide-legged trousers and neatly fitted knitwear. Shoulders were often defined, waists sat at the natural waistline and skirts generally fell around the knee or below.
Original vintage is wonderful if you already own it, but it is not essential. A modern knee-length dress can move convincingly into the 1940s with seamed stockings, sensible lace-up shoes, gloves, a structured handbag and a beret. Garage overalls, land-girl clothing and other workwear-inspired outfits are practical alternatives and particularly appropriate to the motor-racing setting.
For lingerie, aim for a natural but supported bustline, a clearly defined waist and a smooth line beneath the skirt. French knickers, a suspender belt and seamed stockings are useful foundations without making the outfit feel too theatrical.
A 1950s Goodwood Revival Outfit
The 1950s gives you two familiar silhouettes. The first is the full-skirted dress with a fitted bodice, defined waist and petticoat. The second is the narrower pencil or wiggle dress, where the line through the bust, waist and hips becomes much more important.
A bullet bra creates the unmistakably defined bustline seen beneath many original 1950s dresses and sweaters. A waist cincher, girdle or corset can emphasise the waist, while a petticoat gives a full skirt its intended shape and movement. Under a fitted dress, choose foundations that smooth rather than adding unnecessary bulk.
Complete the look with seamed stockings or tights, court shoes or Mary Janes, a small handbag and gloves. A scarf tied at the neck or over the hair is useful as well as decorative when the weather is less cooperative.
An Early-1960s Goodwood Revival Outfit
Early-1960s style can be an excellent choice if you prefer a cleaner and less structured look. Shift dresses, narrow trousers, fitted knits, simple coats and shorter hemlines all belong comfortably within the Revival years.
The silhouette is straighter than the hourglass shape associated with the 1950s, although good foundations still help clothing sit properly. Seamed tights are particularly useful with shorter skirts because they give the period effect without the risk of stocking tops appearing when you sit down.
Finish with low heels or neat flats, a boxy handbag, oversized sunglasses and a scarf. Hair can be worn in a smooth bob, a neat updo or tucked beneath a scarf if you would rather not spend the morning wrestling with rollers.
SEAMED TIGHTS
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Build the Look from Underneath
Original and reproduction vintage clothing was designed around the foundation garments of its era. This is why a beautifully cut dress can sometimes look as though something is missing when worn over a modern moulded bra and contemporary knickers.
You do not need to wear a complete set of vintage-inspired foundations. One carefully chosen piece can make a noticeable difference to the way a dress fits and hangs. Decide which part of the silhouette matters most to your outfit: the bust, the waist, the line through the hips or the shape of a full skirt.
Bullet Bras and the 1950s Bustline
A bullet bra creates a defined, forward-facing bustline using non-stretch cups, carefully placed seams and spiral stitching. It is the foundation most strongly associated with the 1950s, particularly beneath fitted knitwear, shirtwaist dresses and pencil styles.
The fit is quite different from a modern moulded or push-up bra, so allow time to try it beneath the clothing you intend to wear. Adjusting the straps and positioning the bust correctly inside the cups can make a dramatic difference to the finished shape.
READ THE BULLET BRA FITTING GUIDE
https://www.whatkatiedid.com/pages/all-about-bullet-bras
Shapewear, Waist Cinchers and Corsets
A waist cincher or corset can give a full-skirted 1950s dress a more defined waist, while a girdle or longer piece of shapewear smooths the line beneath pencil skirts and fitted dresses. They are not interchangeable, so choose according to the clothing rather than simply selecting the firmest garment.
Try your complete outfit together before the event. A very short cincher may work beautifully beneath a dress with a fitted waist, while a longer garment may be better beneath something cut close through the hips. Most importantly, make sure you can sit comfortably, eat lunch and remain in the garment for the number of hours you plan to wear it.
SHOP VINTAGE-INSPIRED SHAPEWEAR
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Petticoats for Full-Skirted Dresses
A petticoat gives a 1950s skirt its swish and keeps the fabric away from the legs, but more volume is not always better. Match the petticoat to the shape and length of the dress, and check that it remains hidden when you walk and sit.
The Revival is a long outdoor event, so think about practicality as well as photographs. A softly full petticoat is usually easier to manage in crowds, grandstands and cafés than one which creates an enormous circle around you.
SHOP FRILLY PETTICOATS
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Stockings or Tights for Goodwood Revival?
Seamed stockings are one of the simplest ways to make an outfit look unmistakably mid-century. Wear them with a secure suspender belt—six straps are far more dependable than four if you will be walking and sitting all day—and take a moment to straighten the seams before leaving home.
Classic neutral shades work with almost any outfit, while a contrast seam can pick up a colour from your dress, shoes or accessories. Fully fashioned stockings are the most authentic choice, but modern stretch stockings are often easier for a first-time wearer and more forgiving over a very long day.
Seamed tights give the same strong visual detail with more coverage. They are useful with shorter early-1960s hemlines, in cooler weather or for anyone who does not want to wear a suspender belt. Whichever you choose, put a spare pair in your handbag. This is not theoretical advice; we have dealt with enough Revival stocking emergencies to know better.
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SHOP SEAMED TIGHTS — https://www.whatkatiedid.com/collections/seamed-tights
Comfortable Shoes Matter
Goodwood Revival involves far more walking and standing than the photographs suggest. Choose shoes you have already worn for several hours, and do not make the event their first outing.
Low court shoes, Mary Janes, brogues, lace-up shoes and ballet flats can all work with the period. If you are used to heels, wear them; if you are not, the Revival is a particularly unforgiving place to experiment. Lace-up plimsolls also suit a more casual look and have a much longer history than many people realise.
The walk from the car park and the ground around the circuit can be wet or uneven. Some visitors travel in practical shoes and change once they reach firmer ground. Ankle wellies are a sensible choice if heavy rain is forecast, however splendid your dress may be.
Dressing for Goodwood Weather
September at an open motor circuit can provide sunshine, wind, rain and a chilly evening within the same day. Check the forecast, but plan for it to be slightly less well behaved than promised.
A cardigan, fitted jacket, trench coat or raincoat can all work with a vintage-inspired outfit. If you are wearing a full skirt, check that your coat can close comfortably over it. A scarf is useful for warmth, hair protection and emergency glamour, while an umbrella should be compact enough to carry without becoming a burden.
Do not forget sun protection. Hats and headscarves look entirely appropriate, although the airfield can be very windy. Secure a hat properly and test it before the weekend rather than discovering its ambitions during the first gust beside the track.
Hair, Hats and Accessories
You do not need professional hair and make-up to look at home at the Revival. A neat chignon, French pleat, bun or simple ponytail can survive wind and a long day more successfully than an elaborate set. A beret or headscarf is an excellent answer if vintage hairstyling is not your particular skill.
Gloves, scarves, brooches, hair flowers and vintage-inspired jewellery can move an otherwise modern dress convincingly into the period. Choose a few details rather than wearing everything at once. If your outfit already has a strong print, let the accessories support it rather than argue with it.
SHOP VINTAGE GLOVES
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What to Put in Your Handbag
Your handbag needs to be large enough for the practical things, not merely photogenic. We recommend packing:
- A spare pair of stockings or tights
- Plasters and any blister protection you normally use
- Lipstick and a small mirror
- Hairpins, safety pins and a couple of clips
- A compact umbrella or lightweight rain layer
- Sun protection
- A phone charger or power bank
- Any event tickets, passes and travel details you do not keep on your phone
A structured vintage handbag is lovely, but a roomier modern bag in a simple shape is better than spending the day carrying half your belongings separately.
First-Time Goodwood Revival Advice
Try on the entire outfit before the event, including lingerie, hosiery, petticoat, shoes and outerwear. Walk around, sit down, climb stairs and check the view from the back. This will reveal slipping suspender clips, a petticoat that is too long, shoes that rub and seams that need a little practice.
Do not become so concerned with historical accuracy that you stop enjoying the day. Goodwood encourages period dress, but it is not compulsory. A smart dress already in your wardrobe, accessorised with gloves, seamed hosiery and a hair flower, can be enough to join in.
Above all, dress for the day you are actually going to have. You will be moving between cars, shops, grandstands, food stalls and entertainment, often over uneven ground. Comfort is not the enemy of glamour; at the Revival, it is what allows the glamour to survive until the evening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to dress up for Goodwood Revival?
No. Period dress is encouraged and forms a wonderful part of the atmosphere, but it is not compulsory. You can attend in ordinary clothing, although adding one or two vintage-inspired details is an easy way to join in.
What years should a Goodwood Revival outfit represent?
The Motor Circuit operated from 1948 to 1966, while the site’s wartime history also makes 1940s clothing appropriate. In practice, outfits inspired by the 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s all sit comfortably within the event.
Can I wear trousers to Goodwood Revival?
Yes. High-waisted wide-legged trousers, cigarette trousers, overalls and other practical workwear-inspired styles can all look convincingly period and are often extremely comfortable.
Should I wear stockings or tights?
Either works. Stockings with a secure suspender belt give the more authentic 1940s or 1950s look. Seamed tights are convenient, warmer and particularly useful with shorter early-1960s hemlines.
Are heels necessary?
No. Comfortable low heels, Mary Janes, brogues, lace-up shoes and neat flats all work. Choose a pair you know you can wear for a long day of walking and standing.
What should I wear if it rains?
Add a trench coat, vintage-inspired raincoat or practical waterproof layer, and choose shoes suitable for wet, uneven ground. A scarf can protect your hair, while ankle wellies are far preferable to spending the day with soaked feet.
Where can I buy a complete Goodwood Revival outfit?
Our Goodwood Revival fashion collection brings together clothing, vintage-inspired lingerie, shapewear, petticoats, seamed hosiery, gloves and accessories selected from our own experience of exhibiting at the event.
Shop Goodwood Revival Fashion
Whether you are planning a tailored 1940s outfit, a full-skirted 1950s look or something inspired by the early 1960s, begin with the silhouette and add only the details that earn their place. Good foundations, dependable hosiery, comfortable shoes and a layer for the weather will take you much further than an outfit assembled for a single photograph.
Explore our Goodwood Revival collection for vintage-inspired clothing, lingerie, shapewear, seamed stockings and tights, petticoats, gloves and accessories chosen by a team who have been dressing for—and working at—the event for 20 years.
SHOP GOODWOOD REVIVAL FASHION
https://www.whatkatiedid.com/collections/goodwood-revival-fashion
