The scene consists of cars and vintage style of every stripe. The Goodwood Revival in England is like nothing I have ever seen. I’ve been to vintage clothing centric events and I’ve been to amazing car gatherings, but this blows everything I have seen out of the water. Earlier this year I went to The Quail in Carmel, California and to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and neither give off the nice vibes that Goodwood does. I’ve frankly never been to anything in America that is like this event. If you are someone who likes vintage style, beautiful rare autos and the spectacular surroundings of Chichester, England, then mark this on your list.

A few things that stood out at the Goodwood Revival. First, there was quite a bit of marketing, but the major modern car companies didn’t have much of a presence. Everything that was sponsored was done so in a very restrained way. That’s to not to say that it wasn’t commercial, it certainly was. But attendees had a pretty wide birth to enjoy the quirky style and reenacted elements of the event unobstructed by sponsors. And there was a certain amount of weird-ness that seemed to be encouraged. There was an amazing track-side hospitality area where sponsors and other important people (as professional interlopers we managed to get back there too. “I used to be an important blogger in America” I told them to little avail. Just kidding I didn’t actually say that – that’s the type of statement that makes me cringe. This girl/guy has it right.) Then the fellas from Private White V.C. pulled us back to the hospitality area so we could enjoy tiny sandwiches, free booze and great views of the action. In order to get there you have to walk through this insane “War Room” thing (which is why I am telling you about the special areas in the first palce) with WWII reenactors performing as if they are in a battlefield HQ. It was both absurd and incredible at the same time.

Having never been to an auto event where so many people got dressed up in such an amazing way, Goodwood was truly an eye-opening experience. At this point I had thought I had seen it all when it comes to menswear, but this was an unexpected and delightful encounter. I spent half of the day walking around being overwhelmed by the cars (and oh man, the cars!) and being taken back by both the guys and girls in their awesome outfits. I didn’t even see any Japanese street style photographers or bloggers. Only great style, Men’s File and a bunch of well-dressed folks enjoying a perfect September Saturday in the English countryside. It’s good to know that there are still rocks to un-turn. I just hope a bunch of American bloggers don’t catch on. Like that Michael Williams guy from ACL. He’s the worst.