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Petrolicious believes in driving tastefully, not only in our actions and words, but also in terms of how we dress. Stylish clothing and accessories are de rigueur. For instance, when driving a convertible a baseball cap will do, however I find a flat cap to be a more stylish option. Then, during winter, turtlenecks and high-collars replace scarves in open top cars (this should especially be true for women who favor long, billowy wraps). If driving a warm, enclosed coupe a nice wool scarf is perfect though, remove it as soon as you’re inside!
My choice of watch will also change according to the car I’m in. When I’m driving something big with presence, I may just wear my slim, vintage Vacheron. Of course some cars naturally belong with some timepieces. For instance, an early 1970s Porsche almost demands a Tag Heuer Monaco.
Some may think it peculiar, but I admire watches and their complex movements as much as I am intrigued by automotive drivetrains. Maybe they both speak to motion; I don’t really know what, if any, connection exists. Regardless, I make conscious decisions about my appearance as I’m sure many of you do too.
So I’m curious, how do you pair your clothing and accessories to your car? And do they change depending on what car you drive?
Photography by David Marvier and Josh Clason for Petrolicious
Great ideas, thank you. My husband and I often use classic clothes, and recently updated my wardrobe with the 1017 ALYX 9SM collection – https://rodengray.com/collections/1017-alyx-9sm which perfectly complements its look. I think that it is suitable for many cars to create a good male image
depends on what I am getting into, if is my TR6 then I go as gentlemanly as possible, desert boots, skinny jeans, a button down, my black wayfarers and a fossil swiss automatic, if its my BRZ then its all about where ill end up. sometimes its just jeans and a t shirt and others its very planed out who knows
I think that in clothes- as is often the case with cars- classic, understated, properly fitted pieces are the key to success. It’s easy to try too hard at being fashionable and come off as a little affected. My “standard” is an oxford shirt, straight-leg chinos, and either canvas sneakers (I favor Vans Authentics or Eras) or some brogues. It’s a combo that can be easily dressed up or down with the right details… not unlike my E30.
The Cartier Roadster (http://www.jomashop.com/cartier-roadster-watch-w6206018.html) is a perfect match with the top down on my 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet, usually paired with a Polo shirt, Tod’s and Tom Ford aviator shades….
I’m afraid I’m a bit of a fish out of water with stylish clothing. Not that I find it impossible, more that I’ve not got a keen eye for fine threads and too little time to change that situation.
As it is, the extent of my automotive fashion is usually jeans, a vaguely nice t-shirt and a set of thin-soled shoes so I can feel the pedals. And a pair of sunglasses on suitable days, though I’m a glasses-wearer anyway so they’re necessity as much as anything else.
Perhaps a Petrolicious article on appropriate styles for various cars – even if it’s for whimsy’s sake, rather than instruction – would be welcome? I’m sure there are enough dapper Petrolicious readers out there willing to offer photographs of their style and their cars.
I recommend to any classic owner to try wearing a suit or sport jacket in their car sometime. Last summer, I had to drive my Dino to a formal event and I have to say the feeling of driving that car in a dress shirt and blazer on a perfect summer evening made me feel incredible. I know it is easy to drive in a comfy t-shirt and shorts (i do it too) but once in a while a sense of occasion is a great thing that can transform the driving experience in new ways. Of course I get a big kick out of wearing my own accessories and watches whenever I drive, as well!
I’m a car guy, Not a clothes guy. It’s usually the same thing ….blue jeans, deck shoes for easy shifting and tee shirts. I do like to wear my vintage Tudor chronograph when I drive my 73′ 2002Tii or 75′ TR6…jut like this one.http://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/amazing-clean-highly-collectable-1961-rolex-tudor-monte-carlo-home-plate-pre-owned-watch-627525.html
The typical clothing for my daily driver (a 2012 Subaru STi) is unfortunately horrible – flat-brim cap, goofy sunglasses, energy drink sponsored logo shirts and so on, so I choose to forgo the correct “look”. I wear a hat like the one in the first picture and just look like a weirdo, and that’s ok with me! 😀
Indeed, which is why I drive an STi swapped RS. Is it really that much better for attire? No, but at least most skinny jean, beanie/flat bill bros dismiss it because it doesn’t have a WRX or STI badge on it. It helps when it is badgeless and stickerless. What? No hellaflush, jdm-tyte, daily driven, etc stickers? Your loss bro! (Seriously, I love Subarus but anyone with a daily driven sticker on a Subaru, maybe sans 360/360 bus, should be relieved of their duties.