All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Nearly 30 years ago, F1 driver Ayrton Senna tragically passed away doing what he loved: racing hard. Despite driving in a way deemed “wrong” by purists of his day (stabbing the throttle through corners instead of gradually leaning into it), Senna dominated by thriving under intense pressure and horrible weather conditions, racking up 41 first-place finishes and 80 podiums over the course of a decade. What’s less remembered today—as F1 continues to boom in popularity stateside—is just how stylish Senna was off the track. Throughout the '80s and early '90s, Senna dressed with a level of casual sophistication that reflected the high-flying lifestyle of his sport.
Exhibit A: The below video in which Senna is rocking loafers (!!!) and white socks (!!!) while casually pushing a right-hand drive NSX-R to its limit. It is, quite arguably, the coolest a human being has ever looked doing anything. (For the record, we’re still big proponents of helmets over here the next time you hit a track day.) There is simply no better endorsement for the power of a great pair of wear-with-anything loafers than witnessing this man confidently heel-toe in some hard-bottoms. “You wanna come with me?” he says in the first few seconds of the clip. Yes we do, Ayrton, yes we do.
Senna hailed from sunny, vibrant Sao Paulo, Brazil. Understandably, he spent most of his non-racing time near the water, whether it was poolside or out on the open ocean with his boat. Instead of reaching for graphic tees or tank tops, he often embraced the power of a polo in bright colors, which instantly elevates a fun-in-the-sun wardrobe from surfer to sophisticated.
Senna’s trackside fits also offer plenty of inspiration for anyone looking to fast-track their wardrobe. His signature T-shirts—whether in plain white or featuring his own logo—had a fit that was totally unique and yet still feels modern. Oversized tees are in right now, but Senna's signature version was special, featuring the type of high, crisp neckline preferred by skaters and emulated by the likes of Off-White and, naturally, the car-inspired brand L'Art De L'automobile.
While all racecar drivers are plastered in sponsors, Senna had a way of really wearing his obligatory logos, not the other way around. His most-worn hat featured a logo for Nacional, a Brazilian bank—not exactly the pinnacle of flex-worthy imprints. And yet, by sporting the cap with otherwise minimal fits—clean button-up shirts, slim jeans, and white sneakers—he turned it into one of a truly iconic piece of headwear.
Simply put, Ayrton Senna was a different breed of driver. In an age when F1 drivers like Lewis Hamilton are casually walking in fashion shows for Balenciaga, Senna was a style icon without ever really trying. Three decades after his death, his choices of everything from sunglasses to shoes to watches look better than ever, because they were the polar opposite of the engines he was pushing: quiet, steady, built to last. Slow and steady might not win the race on the track, but Senna understood that it’s a direct line to victory when it comes to getting dressed.
