To mark the Monaco Grand Prix, all eyes are on racing style, no longer confined to the Formula 1 track. From the Puma x F1 line led by A$AP Rocky to the iconic Speedcat, here’s a look at the brands drawing inspiration from the world of motorsport to inject speed and performance into their collections.
Since 1929, Formula 1 cars have been racing at full speed through the winding streets of Monaco. For three days, the world’s eyes turn to the Monaco Grand Prix, one of the most anticipated events in motorsport. But beyond the competition, it’s a whole visual universe that unfolds on the asphalt, where luxury meets technical prowess. In 2025, racing style is no longer confined to the track: it’s taking over fashion, from high-fashion runways to streetwear collections.
Puma F1 and A$AP Rocky hit the gas.
Racing style may be booming in fashion right now, but part of its rise is thanks to an unexpected ambassador: A$AP Rocky. In 2024, the Harlem-born rapper was named creative director of Puma’s F1 line. A strategic partnership designed as a bridge between the world of streetwear and the still-elite realm of Formula 1.
With each drop, Rocky infuses the codes of motorsport: sharp silhouettes, technical fabrics, and direct nods to sponsor-covered racing suits. Case in point, the pieces unveiled at last year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, including a reissue of the iconic 2000s Puma Inhale OG. His goal remains clear: to make Formula 1 more accessible while staying firmly rooted in streetwear culture.
The German brand is no newcomer to the race: since 1999, Puma has been an official Formula 1 supplier, outfitting prestigious teams like Ferrari and Mercedes-AMG. With this new creative shift, the brand is building on its athletic DNA while tapping into current trends. It’s also bringing back cult classics like the Speedcat, once tied to F1 legend Michael Schumacher, now a must-have for fashion enthusiasts.
From the paddocks to the runways
Racing aesthetics are nothing new to the world of luxury. As early as the 2000s, fashion houses like Chanel, Dsquared2, and Dolce & Gabbana were already weaving trackside codes into their runway shows, think zip-up jumpsuits, helmets in hand, and checkered flags.
Today, that legacy resonates with a new generation of emerging designers who reimagine speed through a more graphic lens. Brands like Mowalola weave racing references into bold, often provocative silhouettes. Off-White, Ferrari, and Vaquera play with the visual codes of driver uniforms, reinterpreting them into cutting-edge wardrobes. The result: a fusion of 2000s nostalgia and a pursuit of performance.
An all-terrain trend
Racing suits, track jackets, embroidered sponsor patches, gloves and balaclavas, F1-inspired clothing is winning fans for both its style and functionality. On the Met Gala red carpet, Damson Idris made a statement in a full racing suit before a dramatic reveal. Promoting the upcoming F1 film, in which he stars alongside Brad Pitt, the actor didn’t just wear the look, he even got behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car for the occasion.
This renewed interest is also fueled by the growing popularity of drivers who now shine beyond the racetrack. Leading the way is Lewis Hamilton, who has become a true fashion icon. Hot on his heels is French driver Charles Leclerc, the face of Scuderia Ferrari, whose every appearance is closely watched and dissected.
At the crossroads of sport, culture, and fashion, racing style reflects a renewed fascination with speed, performance, and adrenaline. More than just a passing trend, it’s shaping a dynamic wardrobe where functionality meets flair. And as engines roar in Monaco, fashion, too, shifts into high gear.
Article by Julie Boone.
