Everything you need to know before you go 

Three days, one working motor circuit in Sussex, and an entire crowd dressed head to toe in period. The Goodwood Revival isn't a costume party or a museum — it's a full 1940s to 1960s world that assembles itself once a year, and it rewards anyone who plans ahead. This Goodwood Revival guide covers what's on site, how to put together vintage outfits that work, and what to pack.

The racing

The vintage cars are the reason all of this exists, and they aren't roped off. They're driven hard by people who intend to win, close enough that you feel it in your ribcage. Stand at the chicane to watch pre-war machinery slide sideways on cold tyres. You don't need to know a Lister from a lawnmower — someone will happily tell you. Look up mid-afternoon, too: the Spitfire flypast stops the entire circuit mid-sentence.

Over the road

You could spend a whole day at the Goodwood Revival without watching a single race. Across the road sits a full 1950s fairground — waltzers, swingboats, a helter skelter — with candyfloss and engine oil in the air.

Best of all, when the light goes: the open air cinema, showing classic films on a big screen under the stars. Sitting on a rug in a wool coat watching black and white on a September evening, with the last of the fairground music drifting over. That's the image I've kept.

The High Street

Rows of stalls: proper vintage dealers, milliners, jewellery cases you lean over to see into, haberdashery, luggage, records, hats, gloves, frocks on rails in the sun. This is where the crowd finds its vintage outfits — half of them are shopping for next year while they're here. If you're hunting 1940s jewellery or 1950s jewellery in particular, come early, before the good brooches walk.

For us, the beauty of vintage-inspired jewellery lies in its ability to transform an outfit. A single jewel can evoke another era, tell a story, and make even a modern dress feel utterly timeless.

Salons, bands and food

Period salons and barbershops will pin your set, rescue your victory rolls or sharpen a quiff mid-afternoon — the queue is half the fun. Swing bands, jive bands and brass ensembles appear from nowhere, with lindy hoppers on the grass. Food stalls and vintage vans do pie and mash, fish and chips in paper, ice creams, doughnuts and decent coffee. Eat outdoors on a hay bale with a band playing.

The open-air cinema

When the light goes, classic films screen under the stars. A rug, a wool coat, black and white on a September evening with fairground music drifting over — don't leave before this.

The Best Dressed competition

At 3pm each day everything funnels towards the style stage. Judges rove the site all day quietly scouting, and the shortlist is extraordinary — not the most expensive vintage outfits, but the most thought-through. Authenticity wins, whether that's true vintage or clever second-hand and home-sewn. Wit counts. Details count. Go, even if you only meant to watch ten minutes.

The dress code is period dress, 1940s through 1960s. Nobody will turn you away in jeans, but you will feel extremely modern. Here's how to build vintage outfits that hold up all day.

The 1940s look

Wartime and just after: practical, disciplined, quietly glamorous. Rationing shaped everything, so it's clean lines and making do beautifully.

• • Gals: a knee-length tea dress in a small floral, polka dot or spot print, with a slight shoulder pad, nipped waist and modest A-line skirt. Or a utility suit in wool or tweed — boxy jacket, straight skirt, blouse, brooch on the lapel. Or go land girl: dungarees or wide-leg trousers, checked shirt with sleeves rolled, headscarf knotted at the front.
• • 1940s jewellery: keep it restrained and sentimental. A single statement brooch on a lapel or pocket, small screw-back or clip earrings, a locket on a short chain, and a slim gold-tone bangle. Bakelite, marcasite, paste stones and sweetheart pieces all read exactly right for the era.
• • Finish with: seamed stockings, a snood or turban-tied scarf, victory rolls, red lipstick, short gloves and a structured top-handle bag. Footwear was sturdy — low block heels, T-bars, Mary Janes or lace-up brogues.
• • Guys: a double-breasted or three-piece demob-era suit in heavy wool, high-waisted wide-leg trousers, braces, waistcoat and knitted tie. A Fair Isle tank top over a shirt is very Revival. Flat cap or trilby, polished brogues. Authentic or reproduction military uniform is common and warmly received.

1. Olivine Cushion Cut Earrings - Lovett & Co £20
2. Miriam Haskell Inspired Brooch -Lovett & Co. £28
3. Chanel N°5 Perfume £82
4. Cherry Red Structured Bag - Fable England £80 GBP
5. Red Lipstick - Besam £28
6. Lucille Shirtwaister Dress in Hampton Green - Seamstress of Bloomsbury £94

The 1950s look

This is where the peacocking happens — post-war fabric restrictions lifted and everything got bigger.

• • Gals: two great silhouettes. Full skirt — a circle or swing skirt held out with a net petticoat, fitted blouse or cropped cardigan, wide cinch belt. Or pencil — a wiggle dress or pencil skirt snug through the hip, with a twinset and pearls. Gingham, polka dots, novelty prints and bold florals all sing. Halter-neck sundresses are perfect for a hot Saturday.
• • 1950s jewellery: go bigger and brighter than the 40s. Matching parures — necklace, bracelet and earrings in one set — are the defining look, alongside pearl chokers and twin strands, chunky clip earrings, aurora borealis crystal, enamel florals and a charm bracelet. Costume jewellery was worn proudly, so don't be shy.
• • Accessorise hard: cat-eye sunglasses, silk headscarf tied under the chin, a small or half hat, wrist-length gloves, a box bag, kitten heels or ballet flats. Hair goes softer than the 40s — pin curls, a poodle cut, a bouffant.
• • Guys: a slim single-breasted suit with narrow lapels, or full Teddy boy — drape jacket with velvet collar, drainpipe trousers, bootlace tie, crepe-soled creepers. More relaxed: a bowling or Hawaiian shirt, turned-up chinos and canvas shoes. Or the paddock uniform — overalls or a mechanic's jacket, string-backed driving gloves, aviators, flat cap. Hair: quiff, comb, Brylcreem.

1. Pale Pink Pearl Choker - Lovett & Co. £28.00
   
2. 8mm Pink Pearl Stud - Lovett & Co. £12 
   
3. Pink And White Swing Dress - Pretty Kitty Fashion £64.99
   
4. Pink 1950's Inspired Shoes - Pretty Kitty Fashion £56.99
   
5. India | Tulle Glove with Keyhole & Bow - Cornelia James £165
   
6. Merry Widow Glamour Nouveau Corset- What Katie Did £119.50

What to pack

This is the part first-timers get wrong. Goodwood is a working circuit in Sussex in September — you can get four seasons before lunch, and there's a lot of walking across grass, gravel and tarmac. Expect 15,000 steps before you've even reached the fairground.

• • Waterproofs. A vintage-style mac or trench in a period cut keeps you dry without ruining the look. A plastic rain bonnet is authentic and takes up no space.
• • An umbrella or parasol. Dual purpose — sun protection and a brilliant photograph. A plain wooden-handled brolly won't spoil an outfit.
• • Wellies. If it rains hard the grass turns. Green wellies look perfectly at home with 40s trousers or a swing skirt.
• • Flat shoes, and a spare pair. Wear heels for Best Dressed and the photographs, then swap. Ballet flats, saddle shoes, brogues and loafers are all period-correct. Blister plasters in the handbag, always.
• • Layers. A cardigan, a stole, or a proper wool coat for the evening. Once the sun goes down at the cinema it gets genuinely cold.
• • Hair insurance. A headscarf protects a set from wind and drizzle and is the single most useful thing you can bring. Plus hairspray, spare pins and a comb.
• • A day bag. Something with a strap — big enough for a brolly and a water bottle, small enough not to be a nuisance in the crowd.
• • Jewellery spares. A couple of safety pins and a spare earring back. Vintage clasps are charming and unreliable in equal measure.

One last thing: go for all three days if you can. Everyone who only books one ends up wishing they hadn't.