The Road Trip Edit: Smart Casual Style for the Modern Driver

An open road, a scenic view, and the feel of a steering wheel in your hand... but there's something missing. In the modern day, we've forgotten how to drive in style. 

Back in the 60s, motoring fashion was the ultimate in smart casual sophistication. Combining the effortless suave of the mod look with the laid-back Italian influence of sports car culture, vintage motorists knew that a stylish car always deserves a stylish driver.

Want to bring back retro driver style? Here are our tips.

If Italians are known for anything, it’s fashion and cars. And pizza, of course - but for the purpose of this guide, we’ll focus on the first two.

From Ferrari to Maserati to Lamborghini, Italy has produced some of the world’s most beloved cars. So, it’s no surprise that Italian culture also influences what we wear when driving. That’s why driver style fashion has a lot in common with ‘Sprezzatura’, the Italian philosophy of effortless elegance. Think a perfect balance of class and comfort, a linen shirt worn loose. It’s smart casual with a suave, old-money twist.

Tailoring and comfort might seem like opposite ends of the style spectrum, but that’s simply not the case. When you choose quality, tailored pieces in linen-blend and cotton, you’ll love how the natural fibres mould to your body, allowing you to drive in complete comfort. These fabrics are also breathable and lightweight, making them perfect for long summer drives.

Another tip for wearing tailoring effortlessly is to opt for a comfortable, even slightly loose, fit. Save the ultra-fitted suits for the boardroom; driving style is all about the freedom to move. 

Avoid black suits or dark hues. These are much better suited for occasionwear purposes. Instead, light colours like tans and pastels give your style a more relaxed, informal feel. 

To choose the most comfortable tailored pieces for you, consult our men’s sizing guide. 

Driving shoes are integral to the driver style. Created for Italian racing drivers in the 60s, these shoes slip on comfortably while looking smart and sleek. Quite similar to a loafer, driving shoes often come in materials like leather or suede with a pebbled sole for pedal grip. 

At Joe Browns, we think a leather or suede slip-on brogue makes a perfect driving shoe, especially when we’ve given it a flexible sole.

A driver coat, or car coat, has a similar tailored style to a trench coat, only much shorter, ending at the hip or mid-thigh. If you love an open-topped car, whatever the weather, they’re an essential for your dapper motorist style. Layered over your blazer and knitwear, a car coat allows you to transition driver fashion into the autumn and winter months. 

Taking a day trip in your car is one of life’s simple pleasures, and a smart-casual driver style lets you dress to impress while still feeling comfortable. 

When it comes to a Great British road trip, layering is essential. Even in the height of summer, you never know when a chill will creep into the air. So, start with a lightweight linen shirt or a polo, perfect for staying cool in the sun. Then add a light blazer or cardigan, and perhaps a waistcoat too, ideal for more typically British temperatures. Then, in the colder seasons, your trusty car coat adds the final layer of warmth. 

Take your driver style up a notch by coordinating your outfit to your car. This is an especially fun styling choice for a classic car show or convention, but it looks equally suave on other drives and days out, too.

Simply note the decade of your car and wear clothes from that era. You might wear a flat cap or fedora with a forties car, a paisley shirt or a turtleneck with a seventies vehicle, or a polo and denim with a nineties car.

You could also match your outfit to your car’s country of origin. Tweed with a Bentley, a fitted knit with a Porsche, and so on. And to go the extra mile, you could even colour co-ordinate with your car, too.