Over the past few years, Formula 1 has transformed from a niche sporting event into a global stage where old money, loud luxury, and street style intersect. What once was a purely professional motorsport environment has now become a pop-cultural phenomenon and a runway shaped by drivers, guests, and fans alike.
At the core of the Formula 1 paddock’s aesthetic lies the old-money elegance, rooted in heritage, tradition, and quiet luxury. This style feels natural in F1, not just because of the sport’s glamorous image, but because it is one of the most expensive sports to watch and to enter. While outfits like tailored pants, flats, and classic jewelry remain the foundation of paddock fashion, more drivers and guests are blending this classic elegance with street style and loud luxury elements.
As we know, fashion and personal style have grown into a dynamic form of self-expression rather than following fixed rules. That does not mean, however, that people are not inspired by what others wear and how they style it, which is especially why following the F1 Paddock is so interesting. With the rise in popular culture, the old money style often seen in the paddock also became a trend, especially among Gen Z, who try to recreate the timeless and luxurious style traditionally worn associated with heritage and wealth.
Old Money
“Luxury whispers” is a phrase often associated with the old money aesthetic, and it captures the essence of quiet luxury. Instead of showcasing flashy designs and bold colors, old money opts for subtle branding, clean silhouettes, and timeless, high-quality materials.
Brands like Ralph Lauren and Hermès are especially known for the timeless pieces that align with the aesthetic. Neutral colors, classic cuts, and perfect tailoring are the foundation of the quiet luxury wardrobe. Key pieces include blazers, well-fitted dresses and skirts, polo shirts, and pants. For the footwear, it is usually simple flats or heels. The addition of subtle jewelry and high-quality handbags (but not flashy) makes a simple outfit effortlessly chic.
However, quiet luxury is not defined by clothing alone. It is also reflected in how the people wearing it carry themselves. Good posture, manners, and quiet confidence are equally important in embodying the old money style as the clothes themselves.
Loud Luxury
Quite the opposite of the old money aesthetic is loud luxury, as the name suggests, it is a form of maximalism. Luxury that wants to be recognized. Instead of neutral colors and perfectly tailored clothes, it leans into bold, vibrant colors mixed with patterns and new design elements. Loud luxury are statement pieces, designed to be the main essence of an outfit, to loudly showcase one’s wealth without questioning it. Brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Versace are perfect examples of loud luxury, as they combine recognizable patterns, flashy monograms, and trend-driven designs. It also often intersects with new money, meaning people who build a brand or business themselves, rather than inheriting it.
Street Style
Now, street style is sometimes blurring the lines between quiet and loud luxury. Originating in the 1970s and 1980s in Los Angeles and New York, it was shaped by the local surf-and skateboard scene, hip hop and punk, and other subcultures. Clothing quickly became a part of self-expression and representation without the need for words. The original form of street style started out with oversized clothes, bold graphics, and recognizable sneakers. Additional key pieces are hoodies, joggers, denims (jackets and jeans), belts, and socks (basically everything you want to wear). Today’s street style is more fluid than probably ever before. It mixes loud luxury statement pieces in flashy colors with perfectly tailored dresses and skirts. Wearing simple jewelry but caps with bold graphics and brand logos on the front. Street style is authentic and relaxed; it embraces the imperfections that come with lived-in outfits and over-worn jeans and hoodies. Brands like Supreme, Off-White and Stüssy are the front-runners of the street style as we know it.
The F1 Paddock
With its massive growth in global popularity, the Formula 1 paddock has become one of the most influential fashion spaces in modern sports. Quiet luxury, loud luxury, and street style appear individually throughout a race weekend, but more often than not, the lines between these aesthetics blur as drivers, celebrities, and guests bring their personal style to the track.
While some guests wear simple, understated outfits like tailored jeans and a crisp white shirt, others treat the paddock like their personal runway, and honestly, who can blame them? At every corner is a new outfit ready to turn heads: perfectly fitted maxi dresses with subtle flats and delicate jewelry, finished off with a bold statement handbag. Or linen pants styled with the biggest, flashiest watch anyone has ever seen. And it’s not just the guests, influencers, or celebrities showing off their style. The drivers themselves are leaning into the world of fashion.
Take Yuki Tsunoda, for example. Sure, we usually see him in a team kit or his race suit, but when he walks into the paddock, he often wears oversized jeans and a relaxed shirt. George Russell, on the other hand, is the definition of posh, old-money aesthetic with loafers, dress shirts, and classic knitwear. Drivers like Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris fall somewhere in between, combining quiet luxury with loud accents and streetwear influences, mixing quality pieces with bold colors and visible logos. And then there’s Lewis Hamilton, the epitome of loud luxury. Bold patterns, vibrant colors, experimental cuts, chic tailoring, oversized streetwear. He treats the paddock as his own fashion stage, and he never fails to catch everyone’s attention.
The same goes for the girlfriends of the drivers. Lily Muni He combines quiet, polished luxury with sporty accents. She often fuses natural, clean lines and sculptured cuts with neutral colors and athletic touches. For example, pairing a brown trench coat with a chic, perfectly tailored dress and sneakers. Or styling a Miu Miu vest and polo shirt with blue shorts, a belt, and comfortable shoes.
Alexandra Saint Mleux also leans toward quiet luxury, by mixing high-end designer pieces with more affordable brands. Known for her flowy dresses and elegant cuts, Saint Mleux gravitates toward softer, feminine, elevated looks. A perfect example is a white-buttoned dress paired with sandals and a pink textured bag, or a bold red maxi dress styled with a light brown textured bag and simple sandals.
Kika Gomes blends European elegance with cool streetwear, making her outfits look effortlessly put together. Her style is relatable, as she rarely wears big monograms, bold colors, or flashy logos. Instead, she mixes quiet luxury staples (neutral tones, simple accessories) with street-inspired pieces (sneakers, denim, and modern trends). For example, pairing a denim mini skirt with an oversized T-shirt and kitten heels or combining casual jeans with a fitted trench coat and Burberry heels.
To be honest, the fashion is one reason why the Formula 1 paddock is truly fascinating, as it regularly mixes quiet luxury, loud luxury, and street style together. It is not merely about racing anymore but a stage to showcase creativity, personality, and identity.
Kommentar hinzufügen
Kommentare