What to Wear to NASCAR

Growing up in Kansas, I always liked going to demolition derbies as a kid. Other than that, though? I've never been much of a race fan. All that changed after spending one epic day at the Daytona International Speedway last week though, because I'm hooked! It was SO much fun!! Of course, it doesn't hurt that we were hosted by Toyota Racing, and got to do some cool behind-the-scenes stuff like hang out with drivers Matt Tifft, Christopher Bell, Noah Gragson, Myatt Snider, and Kyle Busch's wife, Samantha. This being my first time at NASCAR, I wasn't sure what to expect and I had no idea what to wear. After my online search left me with lots of questions, I decided to take notes and put together a style guide based on what I saw. Check out my tips below, and please let me know if I missed anything!

Jacket: Wilson's Leather, $150
Top: TJ Maxx, $12 (similar, similar)
Jeans: American Eagle, $40
Shoes: Stitch Fix c/o (similar)
Earrings: My Stella & Dot
Purse: JCPenney c/o, $29 (similar, similar)
Approx. dates: Purse is 1 year ago. Jacket is 6 months ago. Sweater and shoes are recent. Jeans are new.

1. Wear sunscreen.
 I can't believe I forgot to slather myself in SPF before I left the house, and I regretted it all day. If you're only attending the race at night you obviously won't need sunscreen, but if you're spending the day in the infield, you'll definitely want sun protection here in sunny Florida!  

2. Comfy shoes.
We saw people parking really far away from the Speedway and walking over, plus you'll be on your feet all day in the infield. It also can't hurt to pack some band-aids in case your super comfy shoes wind up rubbing like mine did!

3. Pants and close-toe shoes.
If you're hanging out in the garage and on pit road (the equivalent of "backstage"), there is no required dress code. However, we were told that long pants and close-toed shoes (I packed some in JJ's backpack) are recommended because of vehicle movement and live pit stops on pit road.  

4. Skip the skirts and dresses, mostly.
The one tip I saw repeatedly online was not to wear a skirt or dress. If you're climbing stairs in the stands, you may wind up flashing the people below. This rule also makes sense with the strong breezes you'll likely encounter from being outside. I did see one chambray dress with biker shorts underneath, so dresses and skirts are definitely not off-limits, just proceed with caution.

5. It's hot, and then it's not.
Check the weather before you go, but the temps we experienced in February were scorching during the day, and then I was freezing (even with my leather jacket!) after the sun went down. Layers will help you cover both bases.

6. Accessorize smartly.
Consider wearing a hat to help shade your eyes. Definitely bring sunglasses. And strategize how to carry your belongings. I didn't have much (snacks, phone, makeup) so I went with a small cross body. JJ brought his camera gear and equipment in a backpack. 

7. Picture other sporting events.
When we arrived I quickly realized that getting dressed for NASCAR isn't that different from other sporting events! Many women were dressed very casually, with sneakers and sports gear, like you would see at a football game. I felt like I needed to be more stylish at NASCAR for some reason, but the only women I saw in heels and cute tops were arriving at night solely for the race. Really anything goes on race day, so I'd recommend whatever makes you most comfortable. I felt really happy with this outfit, but in the future other style ideas I'd consider are sneakers, a baseball hat, graphic tees, plaid or chambray.

What are your best style tips for NASCAR? Please share!

Our experience at NASCAR at the Daytona International Speedway was provided by Toyota Racing. This post, however, is not sponsored.