Vintage fanatics sport retro fashion for Goodwood Revival

Swinging Sixties! Vintage fanatics sport beehives, period dresses, dagger collars and film noir fashion as they are transported back in time for motor car racing at Goodwood Revival

  • Revellers channeled the 1940s to the Sixites  at Goodwood Revival in Sussex for a weekend of motor racing
  • Flamboyant guests showed off their sartorial flair as they soaked up the atmosphere of the three-day event
  • Launched in 1998, the festival has remained virtually unchanged, featuring classic cars surrounded fashion

It’s an event famed for its revival of vintage fashion, where motorist fanatics from across the country dress up in their finest retro garb and descend on Goodwood Revival in Sussex for a weekend of racing.

And this year did not disappoint, as revellers donned period dresses, old army uniforms and film noir fashion as they were transported back in time on Sunday.

Flamboyant guests showed off their sartorial flair as they soaked up the sights and sounds of the three-day event which celebrates mid-20th century motorsport and classic cars at the racing track, near Chichester in West Sussex. 

Channeling the 1940s all the way through to the swinging Sixites, A-line skirts, polka-dots, head scarfs, padded shoulders, dagger collars and swing trousers were on full display at the raucous event.

Beehives, stockings, mini-skirts and and Rosie the Riveter ensembles were also a firm favourite among the ladies who descended on the sun-soaked race ground for another glorious day at Goodwood. 

It’s a glorious day for vintage! Ladies of Goodwood go back in time for a day of retro as they show off their headscarfs at the motor racing event in Sussex on Sunday

Even the children were dressed up for the occasion, sporting fetching racing suits and flat caps as they hopped in miniature cars.  

Famous faces were spotted dressed up to the nines on Sunday, including Geri Horner and her husband Christina Horner, Take That’s Howard Donald and Bernie Ecclestone.         

Launched in 1998, the festival has remained virtually unchanged ever since, featuring wheel-to-wheel racing in classic cars surrounded by the fashion and feel of the 1940s, 50s and 60s – during the heyday of motorsport.

It recalls the sights, sounds and spectacle of the Goodwood Motor Circuit before it closed its doors in 1966 and is the only historic motor event anywhere in the world to be staged entirely in period dress.

While most of the attendees dress up just for the pure fun of it, the more dedicated are given the chance to compete in the annual fancy dress competition, with prizes worth £1,500 on offer. 

The festival describes its event as ‘a magical step back in time to the romance and glamour of motor racing as it used to be in Goodwood’s heyday’. 

Between 1948 and 1966, the Goodwood Motor Circuit staged classic races such as the Tourist Trophy for sports cars and the Glover Trophy for grand prix cars. 

Flamboyant guests showed off their sartorial flair as they soaked up the sights and sounds of the three-day event. One woman showed off her elegant film noir ensemble 

The event celebrates mid-20th century motorsport and classic cars on show at the racing track, near Chichester in West Sussex

A group of women blow a kiss as they channel air hostess ensembles at the fun-filled event which last for three days

Even the children were dressed up for the occasion, sporting fetching racing suits and flat caps as they hopped in miniature cars

Old army uniforms were a firm favourite among the men, with one little girl dressed for the part in straw hats and a polka-dot dress

The circuit was established by Freddie March, the 9th Duke of Richmond. However, it was closed in 1966. The Duke’s grandson Charles, the Earl of March, revived it in 1998.

During the Revival, modern cars are not allowed into the circuit while pre-1966 aircrafts also feature.

Friday marks the Revival’s official practice day where the drivers and riders fight it out for the best positions on the starting grids at the races. 

At the end of the day, there will be the first race of the weekend, the Kinrara Trophy, which is open to the closed-cockpit GT cars from before 1963, which is likely to feature Aston Martin DB4 GTs and Ferrari 250 SWBs. 

The majority of races take place on Saturday including the Fordwater Trophy, and the Goodwood Trophy, the race for grand prix and voiturette cars built between 1930-1950. Other Saturday highlights include the Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy for motorcycles and St Mary’s Trophy for touring cars.

Revival enthusiasts ride on a carousel during as the event kicks off with a bang, bringing motor enthusiasts from all over the world

Poppy, six, polishing her car before the Settrington Cup race. The festival describes its event as ‘a magical step back in time to the romance and glamour of motor racing as it used to be in Goodwood’s heyday’

Launched in 1998, the festival has remained virtually unchanged ever since, featuring wheel-to-wheel racing in classic cars surrounded by the fashion and feel of the 1940s, 50s and 60s – during the heyday of motorsport


Channeling the 1940s all the way through to the swinging Sixites, A-line skirts, polka-dots, headscarfs, padded shoulders, dagger collars and swing trousers were on full display at the raucous event

Saturday is also Ladies Day, where the frocks from the period will be showcased. There will also be a Bonhams sale of historic cars and racing memorabilia. 

Sunday will feature the Royal Automobile Club TT Celebration race, the most prestigious race of the whole Revival. It will feature classic Aston Martin, Jaguar, and Ferrari automobiles that took part in the famous Tourist Trophy races in the past.

The day ends with the Prize Giving ceremony where the Duke of Richmond and Gordon hands out the prizes and medals.  

There is no compulsory dress code, however, the festival is a Revival after all and its website that ‘the vast majority of Revival visitors dress in period style with many going to great lengths to achieve that authentic look.

‘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.’

Vroom vroom! Ladies in striking period dresses pose by a classic motor car as the fun-filled event gets into full swing 

Opting for blue ensembles, three women looked positively elegant in white gloves, opulent fur and pearl necklaces

One woman channels Rosie the Riveter in a headscarf, overall and wellies as she walks hand-in-hand with her son


A-line dresses were everywhere to be seen on Sunday, as two women strolled into the event wearing their finery, complete with fetching hats

Children compete in the Settrington Pedal Car Cup Goodwood Revival, The Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit

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