Embracing Vintage Glamour – My Guide to Goodwood Revival Fashion, Hair & Makeup
What to wear to the Goodwood Revival: a 1940s or 1950s dress that fits, gloves, pearls, shoes you can stand in, set hair and a red lip.
The Goodwood Revival is a motor racing event, and you dress for it in the style of the 1940s and 1950s. So the question is always the same. How do you wear vintage for a day at the races without looking as though you are in costume?
I have a golden rule. If you are unsure, it is better to be dressed up than dressed down. This is where I would start.
The photographs here are my own, taken at the Revival.
The dress: think Dior’s New Look
When I think of the 1940s and 1950s, one name comes to mind: Dior. The New Look, with its cinched waist and full skirt, is post-war glamour in one silhouette. Go for a tea-length dress with a full skirt that sways as you walk. Silk or satin gives it the right weight. Florals, polka dots or a plain colour all work, and if you are feeling bold, wear a bold print. This is an event where making a statement is encouraged.
But the dress has to fit. Tailoring is everything. A dress that fits follows your waist and gives you the hourglass shape these decades are known for. If you are going to do vintage, do it right, and find a good tailor.
The accessories: less is more
You want accessories that add to the look and don’t take it over. Gloves first: wrist-length, in a neutral colour that goes with your dress. Pearls are the other classic, as a single strand or a pair of earrings. The hat is where you can have fun, with a wide brim or a small fascinator.
Then the handbag. Choose a small, structured one, vintage if you can. It only needs to hold a lipstick, a compact and a handkerchief.
The shoes: comfort first
The wrong shoes can ruin the whole day. You will be on your feet a lot, so comfort comes first, but you don’t have to give up style. Kitten heels are right for the period, and you can last a day in them. T-bar and Mary Jane styles go well with vintage dresses.
Period lace-up boots are another option, and a good one if the weather turns cold. Whatever you choose, make sure they are clean and polished. Scuffed shoes spoil a vintage look.
The hair
Vintage hair takes time, and for Goodwood it is worth it. Victory rolls, pin curls or a classic chignon all work. So does a set wave over one shoulder, or rockabilly hair.
If you are not confident doing it yourself, there are plenty of tutorials. Or book a session at a vintage hair salon. Set properly, it will hold all day.
The make-up
For make-up, less is more. Start with a matte foundation and a little powder to set it. Keep the blush soft, in pink or peach. Define the eyes without overdoing them: some eyeliner, with a winged tip if you dare, and a few coats of mascara.
And the lips. A classic red goes with almost any outfit. If red isn’t your colour, a deep berry does the same job. Keep the rest quiet, so the lips are what people see.
Own your look
Last, wear it as though you mean it. Stand tall and smile. Dress as a 1940s film star or a 1950s pin-up, and then carry yourself like one.
In the photograph below I am at Goodwood, in khaki overalls with a vintage YSL belt from the 1980s.
