Fashion tips from Sebastian Vettel

Jul 13, 2012

Y’all probably think I’m being snarky, but, seriously, the first part of an exclusive interview the official Formula 1 site has up with Sebastian Vettel focuses on fashion and clothing.

I kid you not.

Q: Formula One racing is a glamorous business. Do you consider yourself to be a fashionista?
Sebastian Vettel: Ha, to be honest fashion is not too high up on my agenda, but of course I do look at the mirror before I leave the house so I am not totally free of a vanity. (laughs) One thing is clear: my clothes have to be comfortable. Jeans and a t-shirt, with a shirt loosely worn over the top – these kind of things. When it comes to colours, I would count myself among the gutsier dressers. I definitely do like things colourful.
Q: What’s the craziest item of clothing you have bought?
SV: There has never been an ‘extreme’ purchase. I am not that kind of guy. I have always bought things that I will definitely wear. Actually, that’s not entirely true. I once bought an old-fashioned hat in my teens – I never wore it.
Q: Finish the sentence. Clothes have to be…
SV: …comfortable, functional and, of course, they should look good. At least I hope they look good! (laughs)
Q: If jeans are the mainstay of your wardrobe, which famous names do you associate with them?
SV: Well, I think everybody wears jeans. They are a global garment; a part of our everyday culture. Sure, it was different in the days of James Dean or Marlon Brando, as jeans back then were not the norm but the exception – rebel gear – so you could probably name them as the most famous poster boys for jeans. Today you can wear jeans to almost every occasion. At least I can! I still count myself below the age when you become a bit too old for that.
Q: What’s the age limit then?
SV: When you’re over 30 or so? Then the ‘every occasion’ should be narrowed down.

I’m trying to decide if this signals the target audience somehow. Is Vettel more of an attraction for the under 25 crowd than the over 40?

One thing that always comes through from Vettel interviews is how careful and cautious he is. This is one major downside to all the careful grooming of drivers (and just about anyone else in the spotlight) these days. Often it seems that even when they aren’t necessarily being pre-packaged, they still come off that way.

For me, there’s a lack of realism to them, a lack of the genuine. I understand it, though. Any wrong word these days can become a major PR nightmare. But something’s lost, I think. (Someone put me down, I sound so old.)

Here’s an example:

Q: Who do you think is cool? Brad Pitt, Barack Obama, Homer Simpson?
SV: Somebody who lives in his own way. If you follow the footsteps of others you will never leave marks. To judge Brad Pitt, for example, I would have to know him, which I don’t. What I admire is people who are grounded and resistant to all kinds of whisperings. Kimi Raikkonen, for example. You may like him or not, but he lives his way. He does the things he has identified as worthy for him and he is not trying to be everybody’s darling. At least he doesn’t give that impression.
Q: Is Raikkonen the closest thing to a friend you have among your competitors? The two of you are often seen chatting together during the drivers’ parade…
SV: Yes. He is straightforward and honest and he tells you if he has a bad day. Period. He is real. He’s not political. He’s never up to something. If he doesn’t want to tell you something he will say so and not hum and haw. He doesn’t beat around the bush, never coming to the point.

The stuff about Brad Pitt just seems so overly careful to me. Why not just say, “Yeah, he seems totally cool. I think it would be a blast to hang out with him and George Clooney.”

But I’m nitpicking. And perhaps proving my point about why these drivers have to watch their words. Then there’s this: