I Went to the F1 Grand Prix In Miami. This is What I Wore, and What Model Winnie Harlow Wore
Who says F1 race weekends can't be stylish? Finding the balance between an aesthetic and style was key—and made for lots of fun.
Winnie Harlow has been kicking around F1 paddocks for years now. Her trackside style is wild, fearless, and fun. So it’s not surprising that eBay partnered with Winnie for their “Guaranteed Fit Drop,” an exclusive auction including an upgraded 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet, and also lightly-loved clothes and accessories from Winnie’s own collection.
The beloved vintage Porsche sold for $48,211.00 when the auction ended May 12, boasting low miles and high-end updates with products found on eBay. I loved seeing the Momo steering wheel, Corbeau leather sport seats, Michelin tires, and more in Winnie’s car. It’s really cool that you can get your dream ride and all the upgrades on eBay.
But what if you’ve found my article after May 12, when the Guaranteed Fit Drop is over, and you missed your chance to snag some excellent, curated, race-weekend fashion? And on the other hand, what if you are really wanting to be fashionable, but comfort is also important? You should also know that you can hit up eBay to meet your F1 fashion goals for race weekend, and maybe even spend a little less.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. Also, I was a guest of eBay Motors, but all opinions and impressions are my own.
I Experienced My First F1 Race in Style
I had never been to an F1 race before, and I didn’t know what to wear. It’s no surprise that when I asked what I should wear for the weekend, I was advised to think of another sport, the U.S. Open, tennis’ marquee event in New York City. Elevated, preppy, and polished was the assignment, and I thought I understood it.
I was also informed that Friday started off a bit more casual, and things got more sophisticated through the weekend. I was going to be in a shaded area of the track, but I also knew I was going to be out in the sun wandering amongst the merch booths and exhibits. Also, I needed to plan for some serious rain.
So Day One for me meant a pair of khaki shorts (long ones, so I didn’t stick to the seat in the Miami heat and humidity. I opted for a white cotton shirt with sleeves to the elbows to keep the sun at bay. It wasn’t exactly monochromatic, but it was light and casual and consistent. It felt perfect for the morning. I paired my outfit with a McLaren team hat and a clear and orange bag for all my stuff. I loved that the bag gave my outfit a nice bright accent pop.
And though I felt put together when I left the hotel, I quickly realized that a dress could have been the perfect move. There were flowy dresses with goofy sleeves, there were architectural column dresses in what looked to be shirting material.
Though Friday was allegedly casual, people were already elevating their Formula One wardrobes. This was F1 in Miami, after all. I also want to mention that I saw a lot of clean looks made more sophisticated by being worn in black or bright white, or khaki.
Day Two Still Featured Khaki, But With a Pop of Color
Day two for me meant lightweight cream-colored pants and a slightly heavier-weight pink tee that I felt matched the Miami race track’s colors. I think I did a pretty nice job, and I know what you’re thinking, why on earth would you choose pants? I was happy with keeping the sun off, and because the pants were so lightweight, it didn’t faze me.
I was glad not to be sticking to anything, including the chairs we were sitting in. What thrilled me the most was fellow attendee Christian’s race day look, an outfit from a partnership with McLaren and Reiss. I realized that there was a whole other way to show my F1 fandom.
One of the other attendees, Alex, wore a khaki jumpsuit that was strapless, and it was the absolute perfect balance of fashionable and sporty. It also looked great with the pop of orange from the clear bags we all got to carry our stuff around in. And Sammy wore a short black dress with ruffles and straps.
READ MORE: Meet Real Housewives with Hybrid Engines: A Girl’s Guide to Formula One
An Adventure Continued Outside of the F1 Stadium
And then an unexpectedly fun part of the weekend came when we were asked if we wanted to go visit some vintage stores and luxury handbag resellers in the area. That was a yes for me. One of the women, Sammy, was versed in shopping at vintage shops, and it was so fun to watch her go to work.
She had seen a vintage Versace dress online and had kept her eye out for it, but couldn’t find one to buy. Lo and behold, we went to a boutique just 20 minutes from downtown Miami, and Sammy found the dress there!
The store was called Uma Lu, and the store doesn’t just offer vintage clothing to buy; they offer certain pieces to rent, and they’ll even do styling. They’ve dressed iconic artists like SZA in wild vintage looks, so I was trying really hard to find something that would work for me, too. I’m sad that I came away with nothing.
Anyway, Sammy tried the dress on, and I could see how excited she was to find this gem of a dress she’d been pining for. It was a match, and Sammy left the shop with her purchase in hand and a smile on her face. No wonder, this was a dress that could go from the F1 track to a beach resort to a club effortlessly.
Sunday Really Was a Funday—With Some Style Swaps
Sunday was the big day, and I had my blush pink linen suit all ready to go. As I put it on in the morning, I realized how heavy it actually was, and as we walked to brunch, I realized I was going to have to make a pit stop on the way to the race and change my style strategy.
I went with a pair of pants made of lighter material with a sporty series of stripes on them. I kept the white tank I had on and switched to sneakers instead of my (surprisingly very comfy) platform sandals. It was not quite as chic, but it was definitely sporty and actually equally suited to the day’s spirit and energy.
If I had it to do over again, I might have leveled up and done a whole jumpsuit look. I love the continuity of a jumpsuit and the nod to the fire suits and overalls worn by the technicians and pit crews.
Our very own Teia Collier had a great shirt dress that was light and polished, and had the perfect blend of crisp prettiness and sporty looks.
READ MORE: Five Things You Need to Know About Attending Your First F1 Race
Lest We Forget Winnie Harlow’s Porsche
What would make the rest of the event only a little more thrilling is if one of us were bidding on the 1993 Porsche 911 from Winnie Harlow’s auction. It’s a cabriolet, perfect for the Miami heat and sunshine. The white paint and white wheels with the black interior looked great with Harlow’s outfit.
I wondered if there would possibly be a package deal for the clothes and the outfit, but after checking the site, the answer is no. Anyway, the Porsche was part of the auction to benefit Vitiligo Support International, too. It was a great reminder that eBay is a great source for those who are looking to buy a used car.
The weekend sped by, it was fun feeling like I had outfits that were not only great for the race but for all the things outside of it. Dinner, vintage store shopping, cocktails, racing, hot sun, and heavy rain, and cocktails are hard to plan for. I think I did pretty well, but I’ve been informed that all races are different and have a different vibe.
I can only hope I get invited to another race so I can go shopping again before I hit the track and get everything just right. And this time, I’ll try eBay Fashion first.
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