Why Motorsport Fashion Still Feels Like It’s Made for Men

Motorsport has changed a lot in the past few years. Go to a race weekend, scroll through F1 TikTok, or look at the crowd during a Grand Prix, and one thing is obvious: women are a huge part of motorsport culture. But sometimes, when I go to buy merchandise, it still feels like no one told the clothing department.

As someone who has loved motorsports since I was little and also loves fashion, I’ve always struggled to find motorsport clothing that actually feels like something I would wear outside of a race weekend. There are definitely more options now than there used to be, but so much traditional motorsport merchandise still feels designed with men as the default customer.

And I don't think the solution is just making the same T-shirt smaller and calling it women's merch.

The Problem Isn't That Women Don't Like Motorsport Merch

Walk through almost any motorsport merchandise shop and you'll see plenty of oversized T-shirts, polos, hoodies, baseball caps and team jackets. There’s nothing wrong with those pieces. I own them too.

The problem comes when those are basically the only choices.

I can love a team without wanting its logo stretched across the entire front of my shirt. I can support a driver without wanting their number printed six inches tall on my back. And sometimes I want something motorsport-inspired that works with the rest of my closet.

That doesn't make me less of a fan. It just means I also care about fashion.

Female fans aren't one giant group who all want the same thing, either. Some women love oversized team shirts and racing jackets. Others want fitted silhouettes, subtle references, jewelry, accessories or pieces that don't immediately scream Formula 1.

There should be room for both. Being feminine and being a serious motorsport fan shouldn't feel like two separate identities.

Motorsport Fashion Can Be More Than a Logo

One of the biggest things I wanted to explore when creating Pretty Driven was how motorsport could inspire a piece without completely taking it over.

Instead of starting with a team logo or driver's number, I started looking at the details that make motorsport recognizable: racing lines, cars, motorcycles, track shapes, hardware, colors and phrases that fans understand.

That's where products like my “Dangerous Curves” high-heel keychain came from. High heels and motorsport don't seem like the most obvious combination, but that's exactly why I love it. It takes something traditionally feminine and gives it a racing reference.

They allow someone to incorporate motorsport into an outfit without having to wear a team shirt or hat.

Even with clothing, I've tried to think about silhouettes first. I want to design clothes that are meant to fit women properly and showcase a more feminie style. So many hours have been put into the designing and manufacturing, and soon enought Pretty Driven with be dressing the women of motorsports.

That's the kind of motorsport clothing I always wanted to find.

What I Wanted as a Fan Became What I Wanted to Design

Pretty Driven really came from me looking for products I wanted to buy and realizing I couldn't always find them.

I wanted fitted tanks. Baby tees. Jewelry. Scarves. Bags. Pieces with small details that another motorsport fan might recognize without needing a massive logo to explain the reference.

One of my favorite examples is the Pretty Driven paddock Purse. I wanted something that could work at a race but didn't necessarily look like traditional race merchandise. The design includes space for everyday essentials, a water bottle and smaller items while still having a more elevated handbag look.

Then there are designs using phrases like “Look Good, Drive Fast” and “Dangerous Curves.” They reference motorsport culture while still being playful and wearable for someone whose personal style might not match traditional racing merchandise.

That balance has become one of my favorite parts of designing.

But Motorsport Brands Are Starting to Get It

I also don't think it's fair to say the industry hasn't changed.

Motorsport has become much more connected to fashion, and teams and brands are clearly paying more attention to what fans want to wear. We are seeing more lifestyle-focused collections, different silhouettes, collaborations and merchandise that can exist outside the racetrack.

That's important progress.

At the same time, I think there is still a huge opportunity to expand what "motorsport fashion" can mean. Women's motorsport fashion doesn't need to replace traditional merchandise. It should add another option.

Someone should be able to wear the oversized team hoodie one day and a tiny racing necklace with a cute outfit the next.

Both people are still fans.

There's No Dress Code for Loving Motorsport

I think this conversation ultimately goes beyond clothing.

For a long time, motorsport has carried the image of being a male-dominated space. As more women become visible as fans, drivers, creators and professionals within the industry, the culture surrounding the sport is changing too.

Fashion is just one small part of that.

I don't want women to feel like they have to dress less feminine to look like they belong at a racetrack. I also don't think every woman wants pink, bows or fitted clothing just because she's a woman.

What I want is choice.

Give us the team hoodie. Give us the baby tee. Give us the racing jacket. Give us the necklace. Give us the giant logo and the tiny inside reference.

Motorsport fashion doesn't need to stop being made for men.

It just needs to stop feeling like women were an afterthought.