Formula 1 fashion

Top 10 Formula 1 fashion dos and don'ts: Ladies, start your shopping

Nascar. Need I say more

Photo by Tami Kelly Pope

As I was getting ready for my first Formula 1 race in Valencia, Spain last summer, I got a text from the other lady on our trip: “What the hell do you wear to one of these things?” I remember thinking, “Oh my god, I have no idea."

As I Googled “F1 Fashion” and “F1 what to wear,” the screen populated with images of Beyoncé in a skin tight racing suit, affluent older women dressed to the nines and heaps of super models in red miniskirts holding racing flags. I was stumped.

As a fashion savvy girl I had no idea what to wear. I hadn’t brought any red with me and certainly didn’t want to show up dressed for a gala. What was a girl to do? Worse, we were VIP Suite holders for Ferrari, meaning I was under extra pressure to pull together a great outfit. I texted my friend back, “Your guess is as good as mine. The jury’s out on this one.”

My three-day experience at the European Grand Prix in Valencia was sometimes a painful learning experience about fashion etiquette, i.e. gold Jimmy Choo stilettos are a no-no. So, we at CultureMap thought it might be helpful to discuss the fashion dos and don’ts for the upcoming United States Grand Prix (USGP).

If you’re thinking of dressing like Ricky Bobby’s smokin’ hot wife from Talladega Nights, please let me advise you against it (unless it’s a racing suit). Formula 1 is a high-end affair, where women flaunt their style and sophistication over their sex appeal. The glitz and glamour of F1 is a far cry from the crop tops and hot pants of Nascar. Women dress to enjoy the race and to be with their friends.

Here are our top Style Tips for Formula 1:

1. Large handbags are forbidden. F1 does not allow camera bags, coolers, backpacks, etc. This is not a Nascar event you can bring “gear” to. The international crowd keeps it simple and light. If you can’t fit your essentials into a wrist wallet or a modest pochette, you better practice packing! Leave your giant Louis, Gucci and Prada totes at home.

2. Dress comfortably. You’ll never see a woman at an F1 event awkwardly huffing and puffing up the stairs because her shoes look like torture devices. Women at F1 are stylish but always comfortable. For example, you can wear a neon print mini, but balance it out with cute wedges and a simple top. Do not show up in stilettos and a bandage dress — people will think you’re an employee.

3. Build your wardrobe up to the day of the race. The first day of F1 is a practice session, which calls for casual attire. Wearing a fitted Ferrari tee with some high waisted jeans and boots is a great practice day look. Baseball caps (if you can pull them off) are also popular. On qualifying day, girls typically dress more formally, mixing it up with maxi skirts or sundresses. Save your favorite outfit for race day.

4. Event colors are red, black, yellow and white, so plan accordingly. If you’re going to dress in racing colors, make it look original. There are a million girls at the race wearing head to toe red and white, so you’ll need to get creative. Try yellow jeans and a Red Bull racing jersey or a white sundress with black and red accessories. But please do us all a favor and don’t show up in checkered print anything, no matter how cute you think it is, you will look like a human flag.

5. If you’re going to wear a racing suit on the day of the Grand Prix, make sure it's fitted. Girls in racing suits can be super cute, but if you buy a suit online make sure the dimensions don’t make you look like the Michelin man. Not a flattering look on anybody.

6. Leave your puppy at home. F1 does not allow pets or large handbags for the same reason. You know who you are.

7. Metallics. Women at F1 love to wear shades of gold, silver, bronze or anything that says, “I have money.” Do not go overboard with this and show up looking so "blinged out" that you could be mistaken for a Cartier advertisement.

8. Lip stains are your best friend. F1 is an all day event spent drinking, eating and socializing. Therefore it's best to take a practical approach with your makeup and not have to reapply 20 times. Your lips will stay Ferrari red all day if you stain 'em and leave 'em.

9. Prepare for the weather. Mid-November in Texas can be hot or cold, wet or dry, and the weather can change from one to the other in minutes. Bring a small wrap or windbreaker and save yourself from being miserable.

10. Hair + Wind = Dealbreaker. For some reason, there always seems to be a windy spell surrounding F1. Be wise and style your hair to be wind resistant. Mother Nature will likely ruin anything resembling a prom queen blowout or beehive.

11. (Bonus!) Be edgy, be colorful. Just because you dress comfortably doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style. The women who attend Formula 1 races are from all over the world and are incredibly fashion conscious. They are classic, elegant and like to push the envelope when it comes to their wardrobe. Get your F1 inspiration from overseas and you’ll look like a natural.

The Formula 1 girls keeping it classy at the Grand Prix of India

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The Wellness One Percent

2 Austin spas named among world's best by Condé Nast readers

Photo courtesy of Lake Austin Spa Resort

Lake Austin Spa Resort has reached the top of the list for U.S. properties.

Just in time for Austin's festival season comes a reminder to cool it and do some intensive skincare: Condé Nast Traveler readers have voted for their favorite spas in the world, and two Austin spots are on the list.

Lake Austin Spa Resort has been named No. 3 among the "Best Destination Spas in the US & Around the World," which was also No. 1 out of the American contenders. In the 2023 awards, it was second in the country, and it could continue moving up the ranks worldwide if it beats the Ikbal Thermal Hotel & SPA in Turkey, or BodyHoliday in St. Lucia — two very tall orders.

It is joined by Miraval Austin Resort & Spa at No. 20, the only other Texas resort on the list. There were 30 spas and resorts on the list overall.

Contributing writers from the magazine acted as reviewers to make sure the selections were covered in firsthand detail.

"Everything is centered on wellness," wroteLake Austin Spa Resort's reviewer, Texas contributor Allison Bagley, "from the exceptional spa treatments to the healthy cuisine and the stunning natural setting."

The 40-room resort looks Texan to folks who know what to look for — lots of mixed stone and timber construction, plants everywhere, and vaguely rustic interiors — but doesn't get cheesy with references to the Lone Star State. As Bagley points out, this isn't a place to pop over between errands, but a retreat from the city about 30 miles away.

Lake Austin Spa Resort's gently eclectic interior.Photo courtesy of Lake Austin Spa Resort via Condé Nast Traveler

The review also covered the expected stuff: a largely female clientele, a "cottage feel," a soft bed, and some of the spa's own products in the bathroom. But more amenities less central to the typical spa experience were also praised, including the room service menu featuring ingredients grown on site, guided stargazing sessions, and the approachability of classes by Paul, the yoga teacher.

"One of the pools is housed inside a barn — it's a striking setting," wrote Bagley of highlights that didn't fit neatly into the pre-determined review categories. "And I loved that the spa treatments use products grown on the grounds (wildflower and organic honey are used in the facial scrubs) and that some treatments take place in semi-open settings."

In a release, Lake Austin Spa Resort expressed gratitude and shared more tips about the property.

“Moving up from the #2 position to #1 is a true testament to the passion and dedication of our entire staff, who work tirelessly to create transformative experiences that have a lasting impact," said general manager JoAnn Lenhardt in the release. "We are sincerely grateful to Condé Nast Traveler readers for their trust and ongoing enthusiasm for our Texas Hill Country retreat."

In addition to Bagley's favorite things, the property also calls attention to its stand-up paddle boarding, cooking demonstrations, fitness classes, and a special treatment tool that's the only one of its kind in North America: a Comfort Zone Zone Skin Analysis Scan. It also shares four awards from 2024 alone, coming from Travel + Leisure, USA Today 10, Elle Magazine, and the Hotel O-Awards.

At Miraval, Austin-based contributing writer Stirling Kelso took note of similar highlights like a natural setting removed from the actual city of Austin, a focus on wellness, and Texas stone architecture. One big standout, although it might just be Kelso's clever turn of phrase that emphasized it, is the clientele.

Miraval Austin interior Miraval's stark, modern looks.Photo by James Baigrie, courtesy Miraval Austin via Condé Nast Traveler

Answering, "Who stays here?" Kelso writes, "The wellness one percent. This is where high-powered professionals come to detox, restructure, and take a break. You'll see men and women ambling around in robes and yoga gear. Note that cell phones technically aren't permitted except in dedicated zones, although we saw more than one person breaking the rules."

It also sounds — and looks from pictures — like Miraval is a more stark, modern experience than its Lake Austin competitor. The art is not of nearby flora and fauna, but abstract shapes and references to Eastern design. Kelso also points out that wine, beer, and cocktails are available, despite being rare at wellness retreats.

With both falling in the world's top 30, Austinites surely can't go wrong choosing either spa. More information about the selected properties, broken up into similar elements for easy comparison, is available at cntraveler.com.

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