What to wear at the classic?

[TonyHetherington]

Hi all,
Going to the classic for the first time this year. I recall that people typically wear more akin to the revival than the 24.

Is there any sort of dress code at all? Or is it fairly relaxed? I see and read many different opinions all over the 'net !

thanks
Tony

[Longers]

TonyHetherington said:

...more akin to the revival than the 24.

Somewhere in between I'd say.

The organisers encourage period dress in the Paddock but it's not enforced and the majority do not bother. However everyone is much better presented than at the 24 - smart/chino style shorts and a tailored/polo shirt are the norm. Beach shorts, vest tops, stag party "themed" attire, etc would be frowned upon

[fatboy18]

Classic in 2012 was a mixture of all, It is not like the Goodwood revival, but they would like it to be

[TonyHetherington]

Great, thanks all

[lowdrag]

Every edition since the beginning Peter Auto have tried to raise the tone like Goodwood with the admonition to the press to dress "chic décontractée", or smart casual in English. No one ever bothers, so shorts and t-shirt will be fine; well, a light waterproof too looking at the forecast which is showers, heavy at times. Trouble is, just like the main race, one never knows where or when - we had none at home and the Mulsanne, five miles away, was inundated.

[allojon]

Shockingly ignorant advice. Going against everything that the organisers are actively trying to encourage.
And are you going to refund tickets if they do clamp down this year and PH'ers couldn't gain access to the Paddock due to wearing casual t-shirt and shorts as you state 'will be fine' ?

[Sideways Tim]

Trousers and a short sleeved shirt, if it's hot, smart shorts will be fine. Open toed shoes are definitely not fine. We were turned away from the paddock in 2012 as one of our party had sandals on. She was,and still is, female too.

[darreni]

allojon said:

Shockingly ignorant advice. Going against everything that the organisers are actively trying to encourage.
And are you going to refund tickets if they do clamp down this year and PH'ers couldn't gain access to the Paddock due to wearing casual t-shirt and shorts as you state 'will be fine' ?

Any shirt with a collar will be fine.

Bare chests, football tops, vests etc won't be.

[gruffalo]

Ecurie Ecosse said:

allojon said:

Shockingly ignorant advice. Going against everything that the organisers are actively trying to encourage.
And are you going to refund tickets if they do clamp down this year and PH'ers couldn't gain access to the Paddock due to wearing casual t-shirt and shorts as you state 'will be fine' ?

Shockingly ignorant? It's been fine every year I've been there.

Never seen the dress code enforced, however, chino's and a shirt actually seems the most comfortable way to go, there is not much shade round the village and deffo cooler and quicker drying than jeans and tee shirt.

[lowdrag]

allojon said:

Shockingly ignorant advice. Going against everything that the organisers are actively trying to encourage.
And are you going to refund tickets if they do clamp down this year and PH'ers couldn't gain access to the Paddock due to wearing casual t-shirt and shorts as you state 'will be fine' ?

That, sir, is the English attitude, not the European. Try and convince the French that jeans aren't smart (they all play golf in them, t-shirts too), try and tell the French that they can't dress as they want. It is at your peril. I know what Patrick Peter is trying to achieve and I applaud him, but swimming upstream is a laborious task.

[Richard 858]

lowdrag said:

allojon said:

Shockingly ignorant advice. Going against everything that the organisers are actively trying to encourage.
And are you going to refund tickets if they do clamp down this year and PH'ers couldn't gain access to the Paddock due to wearing casual t-shirt and shorts as you state 'will be fine' ?

That, sir, is the English attitude, not the European. Try and convince the French that jeans aren't smart (they all play golf in them, t-shirts too), try and tell the French that they can't dress as they want. It is at your peril. I know what Patrick Peter is trying to achieve and I applaud him, but swimming upstream is a laborious task.

I do hope my full 1940's RAF uniform won't seem over the top then , other than that it's chinos & smart short sleeved collared shirt for me. Come on chaps, let's have a bit more of that "in tent cordial"

[furtive]

I didn't even get a copy of the dress code with my tickets this year. Shorts, t-shirts and sandals were fine for me in 2012, and I would say that's what the majority were wearing

[fatboy18]

Guess the Captain America outfit is a no then!

[TonyHetherington]

darreni said:

allojon said:

Shockingly ignorant advice. Going against everything that the organisers are actively trying to encourage.
And are you going to refund tickets if they do clamp down this year and PH'ers couldn't gain access to the Paddock due to wearing casual t-shirt and shorts as you state 'will be fine' ?

Any shirt with a collar will be fine.

Bare chests, football tops, vests etc won't be.

While I take your point, there is an entire world of difference between those extremes which you highlight - and where (hence why I ask) I would normally reside.

[lowdrag]

Richard 858 said:

I do hope my full 1940's RAF uniform won't seem over the top then , other than that it's chinos & smart short sleeved collared shirt for me. Come on chaps, let's have a bit more of that "in tent cordial"

You are going to look lovely in that, especially at the temperature forecast of 29C so 45C in the sun. Do not open the top shirt button and keep tie properly tied at all times but the cap at a jaunty angle. Me, at best (since I have to wear that silly tabard over whatever else) it'll be "chic décontractée"

[Dave_newcastle]

My experience is that providing you wear something smartish, and that isn't combats or a football shirt/shorts you should be fine.

One exception is footwear - as per above a female (and smart) member of our party was not allowed access to the paddocks because of wearing open sandals.

It's a long way back to the campsite or hotel to change if you are wearing something which falls foul of a steward's interpretation of what is acceptable so why push the boundaries to find out?

[Sideways Tim]

Top Tip:

Ladies, don't trudge back to the car making everyone else miserable as you pass by sour faced and grumbling, simply put a pair of proper shoes in your ridiculously capacious hand baggage. Slip a couple of bottles of beer in there for the good man too and everyone is indeed a winner.

[lowdrag]

I think open sandals are a security issue. I mean, if a car falls on your Doc Martins you won't suffer, nor if you wear trainers, but open sandals? I leave you to figure it out.

[furtive]

As I said before, sandals were not a problem for me in 2012

[3Dee]

All this conflicting opinion.... Jeez...

Perhaps better to attend in a Onesie and high heels!