Why You NEED a Racing Jacket in 2023
NASCAR racing jackets are turning heads faster than ever, but why? This trend gains more and more traction with each season.
For those who don't know NASCAR, Jeff Gordon (pictured right) is a Hall of Fame 4x NASCAR Cup Series Champion. He's considered one of the best drivers of all-time, holding the modern record for most wins in a season. He's known for driving his iconic #24 'Rainbow Warrior' Chevrolet to victory. Fans love him and often wear his famed DuPont sponsored jackets out of adoration for the driver. So when NASCAR jackets first became available to fans, EVERYONE started wearing them.
The racing car jacket hype had been left in the 90s, until Pharrell Williams made headlines in 2008 by flexing this Pepsi racing jacket to Radar Entertainment's Pepsi 500 NASCAR event. This restarted a wave of hype for the vintage racing aesthetic, which has continued to today and is STILL growing!
Then, in 2017, Kaia Gerber was seen paying homage to her mother Cindy Crawford's famous Pepsi advert by wearing a similar branded jacket - popularising the look with females.
The trend then exploded further in Summer 2019, which had American singer Madison Beer shopping in her super-rare vintage M&Ms racing jacket.
Of course, Kendall Jenner was NOT going to miss this hype... Seen wearing a vintage Citgo racing jacket in the airport paired with some black leggings and white Adidas trainers. The highest paid supermodel swapped out high fashion for this vintage look. After being seen in this fit in LA, 2018, the demand for racing jackets went through the roof. Also seen wearing the same jacket sitting courtside in March 2018 when Sierra Canyon played Foothills Christian for the CIF Open Division Playoffs at Sierra Canyon High School in Chatsworth, California.
These jackets are extremely high quality. The heavy stitching and embroidery is a sign of awesome craftsmanship. They're warm, stylish and you can usually pick them up for a fair price, unless you get that super rare find when thrifting....
It's not just celebrities who are pulling off this look! Here's some of our favourite vintage racing jacket fits from Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter....
The racing jacket is so versatile, that we think it's an essential for the new year. Many people don't have bold statement pieces in their wardrobe - and the racing jacket is just that. Bright and bold colour blocking, with big industry logos spread across the jacket makes this a real head turner. It's best worn with a neutral coloured t-shirt underneath, or a hooded jumper if it's colder.
Your favourite influencers have been seen loving life at festivals in their vintage racing jackets - where will you wear yours?
@wevintage_ Replying to @Becky Connolly ♬ B.O.T.A. (Baddest Of Them All) - Eliza Rose & Interplanetary Criminal