How to dress kids for the Goodwood Revival — and make it ‘La Dolce Vita’

As head of Goodwood’s wardrobe department, Hughes-Ward is responsible for making sure over 300 people, including the grid girls and iconic char ladies, are impeccably turned out. “Nobody comes to Revival in their normal clothes,” she says, “and it can feel like there’s a lot of expectation. But don't stress about it. The good thing about babies and kids is that they look sweet in everything. Keep it simple, fun, practical and comfortable. Those are key things to bear in mind, with an emphasis on fun, because this year’s theme, 'La Dolce Vita', is so much fun.

Remember, the golden rule for the Revival is that it’s a celebration of 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s style. “Think about the relaxed classic glamour of the Italian Riviera," says Hughes-Ward. "Straw hats, sundresses, woven baskets and a colour palette of red, green, black, cream and tan.” Note to self, keep it tasteful. Stripes, gingham and delicate florals are the patterns that are gonna get nonna’s approval. Or, opt for a linen top and bottom combo that they’ll be able to wear again and you’ll nail the sustainability principle that Revival champions, too.

“You don’t need to buy a whole new outfit; it’s the little details that make the biggest difference. A headscarf tied underneath the chin gives a lovely old-fashioned feel.” Anyone else in the era that involves wrestling your little darling into their clothes? Focus on accessories and you’ll also save yourself (some) faff. Dinky backpacks and old-school style satchels are charming, plus, you can use them to stash your lippie and snacks.

“My kids come to Revival every year, but I don’t have time to sort their outfits out,” Hughes-Ward confesses. “They often wear boiler suits, lots of children do, and they can be completely transformed to fit the 'La Dolce Vita' theme by adding a silk or cotton scarf. Source some vintage-style goggles, a cap, or a pair of driving gloves and there you have it; a fantastic Italian racing-inspired look.” Repeat after me: there is no shame in wearing the same thing, again and again...

Tailored shorts or high-waisted trousers with a plain shirt (white or cream and definitely tucked-in) is an edit that’s easy to achieve. Roll up the sleeves, and there you have it, the laid-back 'La Dolce Vita' vibe. Teamed with loafers or leather sandals and you’re a step closer to complete chic. To achieve that, get some vintage-style sunnies, just make sure they’re UV-safe.

Hughes-Ward also recommends the simple pinafore dress, a perennial piece that can be customised with a knitted cardigan for cosiness if there’s an autumn chill. If we’re treated to some warmer weather, a frilly summer dress with some ditzy florals is a breezy, throw-on option. Fruity prints, I’m thinking lemons, with a set of pretty sandals or smart Mary Janes and you're ready to go.

Another idea: tap into the make do attitude that Revival thrives on and utilise the clothes your kids wear every day. A school uniform, for example, can be temporarily customised with braces, or a Peter Pan collar blouse to create the illusion that your offspring hails from an era gone by. Score an old-fashioned cap and metal lunch box (plastic ones didn’t start appearing until the 1980s) and il gioco è fatto, job done. I tracked down a selection of time-worn sarnie transportation devices on Etsy.

Feeling more confident as a children’s costumier? Good. Flex your fancy dress skills with a challenge, then. Your iconic Italian characters to choose from include… the mini mobster, for which you’ll need a cravat or tie, pocket chief and trilby; the forties footballer — no, a dirty PE kit won’t do, original or retro jerseys only; and the gondolier, go for the whole shebang with a striped shirt, wide-brimmed, ribbon-trimmed straw boater, red neckerchief, wide trousers and felt slippers. Yes, slippers. The real deal are called furlanes.

It would be amiss of me to not mention a star of historic motor racing for inspiration, so might I suggest Enzo Ferrari as the poster boy to moodboard this year. He was a modest driver who had his time in the seat before race suits were adorned as standard, but there are archival images that show him in collared overalls with voluminously coiffed hair.

He graduated to a more corporate setting in custom tailored-suits, usually in dark blue or grey, and black sunglasses were totally his thing. This look might be preferable for teenagers, it’s a bit moody like 'the old man' himself, and kids generally hate clothes that cling.

Whatever look you're dreaming up, however, we still must prepare for the practicalities of dressing children for an outdoor three-day festival in the UK. “We've had all sorts of weather at Revival,” says Hughes-Ward. "Torrential rain and extreme heat pose different challenges and you have to be prepared to adapt to them all.” With the Revival so nigh it’s too late to shop ahead of the season, but coats and anoraks are pretty durable, and items with a longer lifespan are usually easier to source. Pack the sunscreen, just in case… that’s a surefire way to make sure it’ll rain. But, at least you won’t have purchased the outwear in vain.

Where do you source period dress?

At the Goodwood Revival, sustainability is a thread runs throughout. You’ll be familiar with its Revive & Thrive ethos, and never have so many hand-me-downs, second-hand and golden oldie items been so well represented on such scale. But, if you’re a thrifting trainee like me, it can be a bit intimidating.

Narrow it down before you do anything; the choice out there is vast. Choose the look you want to recreate, and stick to it. Window shopping in a setting that’s brimming with one-offs makes my mind boggle, so it’s worth finding out if there’s anything you can beg for and borrow from your nearest and dearest first.

“Baby clothes are particularly hard to source,” sympathises Hughes-Ward, “unless they’ve been handed down.” Puke stains are stubborn to shift, am I right? Plus, sizing can be difficult to gauge. As a general rule it’s prudent to go one or two up – especially when you can’t try things on.

When it comes to getting little ones booted, the good thing about walking (crawling, or tottering) in someone else’s shoes is that they’re likely to be in brilliant condition. Most kids sprout out of their shoes before they’re worn out. And, don’t fret about everything being true vintage, Revival is about inspiring a life that’s less wasteful. It’s about recycling, re-wearing and sharing. Though, the fact that brands I grew up wearing, such as Ladybird, C&A and BHS, are now considered vintage makes me feel pretty darn old.

If you prefer to curate your looks online, be as specific and descriptive in your search as possible, and make the most of the filter function. Vinted, Etsy, Depop and eBay are the go-to for seasoned preloved shoppers, while places such as Les Petits Champignons, And They Wear, Sweetpea, Oxfam and Lloop are all excellent sites that focus on pre-worn and vintage clothes for youngsters. Platforms such as Pinterest are a useful tool for inspiration, too.

But if trawling the internet isn’t for you, prepare to rummage. Charity shops are organised chaos environments; car boot sales, vintage emporiums and vintage markets need to be on your radar as well. If not for this year, definitely for next.

If you’re local to Goodwood, a visit to the charity shop on Terminus Road in Chichester comes with a high recommendation from Hughes-Ward. “It’s amazing, they have some beautiful pieces and you just never know what treasures you’re going to find, it’s where we source a lot of our props.” I’ve got my eye out for an old-fashioned pram, and I’ve pinned my hopes that one will pop up on the local Facebook Marketplace page.

Parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles, carers, friends, one and all, we’ve got this! Go forth, be thrifty and have fun playing personal shopper ahead of the Goodwood Revival!

Main image photography by Toby Adamson.

Saturday tickets and 3-Day passes for the Goodwood Revival have now sold out, and Friday and Sunday tickets are limited. 

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