Revival first-timer - dress code?

[OzzyR1]

Been invited as a guest to GW revival on the Friday.

Think we will be in the "mess" area and from reading around period dress is encouraged.

I don't own anything that would remotely fit that bill and would prefer not to buy vintage stuff that would likely only be worn for one day.

Would a suit jacket (not solid blue/black), smart dark jeans / chinos plus a decent pair of shoes be OK?

Thanks

[RGG]

OzzyR1 said:

Been invited as a guest to GW revival on the Friday.

Think we will be in the "mess" area and from reading around period dress is encouraged.

I don't own anything that would remotely fit that bill and would prefer not to buy vintage stuff that would likely only be worn for one day.

Would a suit jacket (not solid blue/black), smart dark jeans / chinos plus a decent pair of shoes be OK?

Thanks

It depends on how you would want to "fit in".

I'm assuming you don't want to stick out like a sore thumb, but equally don't want to go full on Field Major.

If you do want to fit in then I would say you would be okay with you suggestions but not including the jeans.

There's plenty of older blokes there with their usual clothes, tweed jacket, shirt tie, chino's/cords and brogues.

But, I'm guessing you're a bit younger than that?

Stick a £20 trilby on top of your suggested stuff and you'll be taking it up a notch!

Or a £10 cravat.

Hope that helps.

[anonymous-user]

The guy on the right looks ok and you could recreate that for minimal outlay



It’s amazing what a pocket square and a flat cap can do to an outfit….

[OzzyR1]

Cheers both, hadn't considered a hat/cap so will look at that.

[smokey mow]

We went to our first revival a couple of years ago and had hospitality in the mess.

My advice would be to dress smart, no jeans or trainers and ideally no modern rucksacks or coats (unless it’s raining). You’ll stick out in the crowd if you haven’t made the effort and they won’t let you in the inner paddock if you’re not appropriately dressed.

I bought a plain jacket and a flat hat but everything else I already had in my work wardrobe.

[CanAm]

Of course “period dress” does not mean what young spectators actually wore in back In 1964-66. But ponce around like the French policeman in ‘Allo, ‘Allo and that’s apparently fine.

The grid girls however looked elegant and charming.

[anonymous-user]

CanAm said:

Of course “period dress” does not mean what young spectators actually wore in back In 1964-66. But ponce around like the French policeman in ‘Allo, ‘Allo and that’s apparently fine.

The grid girls however looked elegant and charming.

Quite, a friend of mine spectated at Goodwood in the sixties, most people were in tatty clothes they’d been working in and not dressed up to the nines. Grandstand and pits may well have been different but he couldn’t afford those on a BBC apprenticeship salary!

[shaunroche]

...a friend of mine spectated at Goodwood in the sixties, most people were in tatty clothes they’d been working in and not dressed up to the nines. Grandstand and pits may well have been different but he couldn’t afford those on a BBC apprenticeship salary!


I remember speaking to a chap like your friend who had been there in the hey day and he said as far as he remembers, the majority of general spectators wore big brown duffle coats bought cheaply from the Army and Navy stores and if you look at the earlier pictures from Goodwood you do actually see a lot of said Duffles!

[mattdavies]

As the two gentlemen above who posted pictures, that will be an in keeping look.

I would snoop around you local chrity shops if you are lacking a couple of items and you are sure to find a hat and a jacket that fits the bill. There are hundreds of images online as well.

[jeremyc]

Goodwood.com FAQs said:

Dress code

Although not compulsory, the vast majority of Revival visitors dress in period style with many going to great lengths to achieve that authentic look. The resulting step-back-in-time spectacle plays a key role in making the Revival such a unique event.

While you’re not required to dress up (unless you qualify for central Paddock access, in which case a jacket and tie is necessary for gentlemen, and a dress or suit for the ladies), you’ll feel much more involved if you do. And whether you go for the slick urban look, gentrified country style or chocs-away military aesthetic, it’s not difficult or costly to dress appropriately.

We ask that your sartorial choices are made with care. Guests are discouraged from making controversial uniforms and culturally appropriated items a part of their Revival looks. Everyone should feel welcome and respected at Revival; Goodwood therefore reserves the right to ask visitors who are inappropriately attired to leave the event.

Their vintage style guide is here.

[gt40steve]

Just to clarify, the 'period' is the original circuit's life - 1948 to 1966.
However the start date is taken a little earlier, ie WW2, to acknowledge the airfields role as a satellite station to RAF Tangmere. Hence the WW2 uniforms, spivs, land girls etc.

[emicen]

shaunroche said:

...a friend of mine spectated at Goodwood in the sixties, most people were in tatty clothes they’d been working in and not dressed up to the nines. Grandstand and pits may well have been different but he couldn’t afford those on a BBC apprenticeship salary!


I remember speaking to a chap like your friend who had been there in the hey day and he said as far as he remembers, the majority of general spectators wore big brown duffle coats bought cheaply from the Army and Navy stores and if you look at the earlier pictures from Goodwood you do actually see a lot of said Duffles!

You certainly don’t need to dress to the nines, some of the money people spend on outfits is eye watering.

But at the other end of the scale, I quite sincerely wish they would tell the type that show up at the gates in stone wash jeans, bright outdoor jackets and box fresh Asics, to turn around and come back when they’ve found some suitable attire.

[Daveb257]

mattdavies said:

As the two gentlemen above who posted pictures, that will be an in keeping look.

I would snoop around you local chrity shops if you are lacking a couple of items and you are sure to find a hat and a jacket that fits the bill. There are hundreds of images online as well.

But don’t try the numerous charity/vintage shops in Chichester as the revival tax pricing is eye watering expensive

[mwsmith37]

emicen said:

I quite sincerely wish they would tell the type that show up at the gates in stone wash jeans, bright outdoor jackets and box fresh Asics, to turn around and come back when they’ve found some suitable attire.

The day I get inspected at the gate is the day I stop visiting the event! In all seriousness, I visit the event alone as a historic vehicle / motor sport fan, and my main aim is to see the cars (and planes) up close and on the circuit. I spend all day there, most of it on my feet, and usually walk the entire circuit perimeter. I couldn't do that in period costume, especially if it's hot. Having said that, I fully agree that the minority of motor sport "enthusiasts" that turn up in gaudy tee shirts, gaudy anoraks and jeans, making no effort at all, are frustrating to see. I usually wear smart-ish trousers (ie not jeans) and a proper shirt, plus shoes that aren't trainers but are comfortable for walking all day in (unless it's muddy). Basically, not dressing up as such, but also making sure I don't stand out, feel comfortable for an energy-sapping day, whilst respecting the nature of the event as a whole. I really hope that's OK - if I was forced to go further down the period costume route, then I'd prefer to sit at home in front of the YouTube livestream.

Having said all that, with the way next week's forecast is panning out, I'm starting to wonder if I could get away with "smart shorts"......

(I do accept that it's different if you're in any of the hospitality / main paddocks etc, and have no issue at all with that)

[andyj007]

to be honest smart casual is fine., . football shirts , ripped jeans does not fit it well.. yes ive seen it .. i doubt hes been back wearing that.. he looked a right knob..

[RichB]

OzzyR1 said:

Been invited as a guest to GW revival on the Friday.

Think we will be in the "mess" area and from reading around period dress is encouraged.

I don't own anything that would remotely fit that bill and would prefer not to buy vintage stuff that would likely only be worn for one day.

Would a suit jacket (not solid blue/black), smart dark jeans / chinos plus a decent pair of shoes be OK?

Thanks

Suit jacket, chinos and decent shoes will be fine. Wear a tie and a flat cap or Panama and the jobs a good-un.

[Daveb257]

Ditching the tweed this year as it’ll be a little warm, as above dark blue chinos, tattersall shirt, tie & brogues will be fine. Some members areas have formal dress codes but the important thing especially with this weeks weather is to be comfortable