History from my wardrobe - Benetton

With the Monaco Grand Prix weekend underway and a chill in the air in Bendigo, it feels like the perfect moment to wear my vintage Benetton Formula 1 Racing Team sweater.

Benetton is a brand that sits at the intersection of fashion and motorsport. The company entered Formula 1 in the early 1980s through sponsorship and then became a full team in the mid-1980s, building one of the most recognisable identities on the grid. By the 1990s, Benetton Formula had become a serious force in the sport, winning championships with Michael Schumacher and leaving behind a legacy that still resonates with fans today.

That's part of what makes this sweater so special. It belongs to an era when Formula 1 felt colourful, individual and full of character. Benetton’s racing team was never just about results; it was also about style, branding and the confidence to stand out.

While researching this blog I discovered Benetton have recently released 'Benetton Formula', a collection celebrating 30 years since their Formula 1 world titles. Check it out for yourself - https://world.benetton.com/blogs/inside/benetton-formula .

Will I be buying something from the new collection? My vintage version is the right choice for me. I love that this sweater carries all of that history.

It is the kind of garment that reminds you that clothes are so much more than something we put on our body for comfort. There are many reasons to choose to wear a particular item. With vintage pieces they're reminders of a different era. This one is a tiny time capsule from a time of bright, bold branding.

Monaco always brings a sense of glamour and tradition to the F1 calendar. This sweater is not that glamorous but it's a classic style and its graphics don't look dated.

For me, it is not only a nod to racing history, but also a reminder of why vintage clothing is so interesting: it tells stories that are bigger than the label.