What's a man to wear at Goodwood Revival?

I made a very late decision to go to Goodwood Revival this year and, of course, couldn't get tickets*. The annual festival of vintage motor racing, music, aircraft and much else gets increasingly popular every year. It's the sort of event that it's not worth attending unless you dress appropriately. However, it can be hard for a man to decide what to wear, so here are some ideas from images taken last year. 

Unless you go dressed as a fifties car mechanic, or a member of the armed forces, the commonest outfit for a man is something forties or fifties in style. No skinny jeans or short, tight jackets - it's all about generous and comfortable tailoring; the look of the British gentleman.

Vintage clothes are a specialist market and for the enthusiast, but you can out together the look with modern clothes. The demob suit would be ideal, otherwise a tweed suit or jacket or blazer (or linen if it's warm) with a shirt, tie and cap or hat. Brogues or traditional English-made oxfords, derbies and boots are essential footwear. Add a cravat from Cravat Club to complete the classic look.

Image of Grey Fox by Jonathan Daniel Pryce - Goodwood Revival 2014

My tweed suit (above) was made for me by Susannah Hall Tailors, shoes by Loake and hat by Failsworth. Last year's Goodwood Revival was warm and a linen suit might have been better - this year looks as though it will be cooler.

Whatever the weather, have a wonderful time. Goodwood Revival, 11-13 September 2015.

*I should add that kind souls have since offered me tickets, but I have had to turn them down as I'd made alternative arrangements (which you'll hear more about soon) when we first realised that tickets were sold out.

Goodwood Revival - everything a man needs

If I were a perfumer charged with creating a new man's fragrance it would have a base of fresh upland air laced with a sea breeze, hints of warm grass, pipe tobacco and barbecue smoke and a dash of warm car leather. Above this would hang the sweet and stirring scent of hot motor oil, vapourised by the overheated and over-revving engine of a 1930s racing Bugatti. Finally I would add hints of floral and citrus from the perfumes of passing well-dressed and elegant women. 

Or maybe I'd just go to Goodwood Revival, taking place this weekend.

This beautiful woman apologised for getting in the picture - she thought I was photographing the car!

At Goodwood Revival you'll experience all the above, with the welcome addition of two further senses. The tearing-calico sound of vintage racing cars, pushed to the limit by their proud owners and the sight of beautifully-dressed and elegant women for whom the forties and fifties were the height of flattering femininity (what's happened since to hide women's natural curves?) Goodwood provides all the elements of the perfect weekend for a man. 

And I haven't mentioned the Battle of Britain Memorial flight, with the steady bass of Rolls Royce Merlin engines droning overhead, or the sinister whisper of early jet fighters such as the Gloster Meteor or the Canberra bomber.

I was at Goodwood Revival as a guest of Private White VC, those Manchester manufacturers of casual menswear, who had a couple of cars racing on the track (below). They are, of course, as British in style as Goodwood Revival itself.

Links -

Private White VC

Goodwood Revival

Nick Ashley, designer, and some of the Private White VC team