If there's one silhouette that was simply made for maximum impact (and a day at Goodwood Revival) it's Christian Dior's New Look. Elegant, sophisticated, super femme and a 'look' that will really turn heads. It's certainly a favourite for Goodwood attendees... all that swishing skirt drama among the spitfires and the vintage racers!
So we thought we'd put together a little guide to help you get it right, from the silhouette right down to your shoes.
What Made the New Look So "New"
When Christian Dior unveiled the 'New Look' back in February 1947, it was his debut collection and a real contrast in style after years of wartime austerity. In fact - it did cause something of a storm, loved by many and dissapproved by some. Fabric rationing had meant rather slim, utilitarian skirts and boxy, understated styles for years and years. So Dior threw all of that out of the window and gave women something to feel really glamorous in again. Not everyone approved and it wasnt adopted into mainstream immediately - it took time for ladies to adjust financially (fabric rationing still continued for many years after) and morally.
However, Dior was determined to bring joy back into fashion and kept going with his vision. His iconic silhouette is certainly a joy to wear AND behold!
His signature pieces had:
- A tightly cinched waist: often corseted for extra definition
- Soft, rounded shoulders: a real change from the boxiy 1940s military tailoring
- A full, voluminous skirt: sometimes using yards and yards of fabric
- An emphasis on hips and bust, creating that dramatic hourglass shape
- Below-the-calf hemlines: a return to ladylike, luxurious modesty
The overall effect is pure femininity and rather a lot of extravagance. Honestly, it's exactly the kind of statement-making elegance that suits a day out at Goodwood Revival down to the ground. In fact, you might get slightly addicted!
Building the Silhouette
Start with your 'foundation'. The New Look really does live or die on some rather good underwear! A waist cincher or well-fitted corset belt underneath your outfit will do far more for your silhouette than the garments alone. Look out for boned waist belts or corset-style undergarments; we love What Katie Did for excellent repro options.
Then choose a full skirt. A circle skirt, or a fitted-bodice dress that flares into a wide skirt, gives you that classic Dior shape straight away. Tea-length (mid-calf) is the most authentic length for the era, and it's wonderfully practical too... you'll be glad of it walking across the showground grass.
If you're adding a jacket, go for structured but soft shoulders. Unlike 1940s tailoring, New Look jackets have a rounded, sloped shoulder line rather than sharp padding. A fitted bar jacket (that's Dior's own name for his nipped-waist blazer) worn over a full skirt is such an iconic pairing.
And do think about your fabric...Dior used lavish quantities of it, and that fullness really is the whole point. Taffeta, wool crepe, faille and cotton sateen all hold their structure beautifully, and were period-correct choices too.
Colour and Print
Dior's early collections favoured elegant, wearable colours: soft greys, navy, black, dove blue, muted rose and rich florals for daytime. For Goodwood specifically, we'd suggest:
- Solid, tailored colours (black is always good but try our rosewood colourway or steel blue): they read as really sophisticated and photograph beautifully against all that paddock greenery
- Florals, subtle polka dots are lovely for a garden-party feel across the lawn areas and picnics
- Save the bold prints for your accessories rather than the whole outfit, 1947 dressing was refined rather than loud, so let one piece do the talking.
Accessories: Where the Era Really Shows
- Gloves. Short, wrist-length gloves in white, cream, or a matching colour are one of the fastest ways to say "1947" rather than just "vintage-ish."
- A structured handbag. Small, boxy, top-handle bags in leather were the standard skip anything too slouchy. You can pick these up from Vintage traders or even charity shops if you are lucky.
- A hat. A saucer hat or wide-brimmed straw hat finishes the whole look off, and Dior himself always said a hat completed an outfit.
- Jewellery. Pearls, brooches and delicate drop earrings feel elegant rather than costume-y.
- Shoes. Peep-toe pumps or block-heeled courts in leather or suede. Do think about comfort here as Revival involves an awful lot of walking on grass and gravel
Hair and Makeup
Soft, rolled curls or a heated roller set, worked into a smoother, more "done" finish than you'd see in the '40s, are perfect. Pin curls set the night before will hold up beautifully through a long day outdoors.
For makeup, think a defined red or berry lip, winged liner and groomed brows. Dior-era makeup was polished. Dewy skin rather than a flat, powdery base.
A Few Practical Tips for Wearing It All Day
- Layer up for the weather. A cropped bolero, cardigan, or a classic jacket (like our Renee Jacket) lets you adapt to a British September without losing the silhouette.
- Mind the terrain! Grandstands, grass and gravel are not kind to stiletto heels, a wedge or lower block heel will keep you looking (and feeling) wonderful all day.
- Pack a flat backup. Elegant ballet flats in a matching colour are a Goodwood Revival regular's secret weapon come late afternoon.
- Structure survives better than delicate fabric. A well-boned bodice and a supportive underskirt or petticoat will keep your silhouette sharp for a good ten-hour day, rain or shine.
- Edit hardest when accessorising. The New Look is all about one strong, considered shape, resist piling on too many statement pieces at once.
The Takeaway
Channelling Dior's New Look at Goodwood Revival isn't about a museum-perfect reproduction, it's about capturing that spirit of post-war optimism and unapologetic glamour that made the 1947 collection so revolutionary in the first place. Focus on the waist, commit to the full skirt, and let your accessories tell the rest of the story. Get it right, and you won't just be dressed for Revival, you'll look like you've stepped straight out of it!
See our suggested Dior 'New Look' inspired products below:-
