Gen Z’s Revving Up Fashion with Irish Flavour

It’s 2025, and Ireland’s second-generation Gen Z are making waves – not just with their ambitions, but with their style. Motorsport fashion is catching on in a big way, with racecar jackets, logo-heavy tees, and Formula 1-inspired looks popping up everywhere from Dublin to Dubai. If you’re Nigerian-Irish, Polish-Irish, Indian-Irish, or part of any multicultural mix, you’re already living at the crossroads of culture. And now, motorsport fashion is giving you another way to express your unique blend of identities.

Our perspective on this trend is influenced by recent research from Istituto Marangoni, which explores how motorsport aesthetics are inspiring Gen Z’s new design wave. Their insights on the cultural relevance, function, and identity behind racing-inspired fashion resonate deeply with what’s happening on Irish streets today.

Motorsport style isn’t just a passing trend – it’s a statement. It’s bold, inclusive, and speaks to Gen Z’s love for fashion that’s fast, sustainable, and true to who they are. At EqualityWorx, we’re excited to see how Ireland’s second-gen youth are taking the lead, but we also know Irish media needs to catch up and amplify these voices – queer, straight, Black, brown, white – in this fast-moving cultural shift.

From Monaco to Dublin: The Motorsport Fashion Vibe

Motorsport fashion’s got Gen Z in a chokehold, and it’s no surprise why. The 2024 Monaco Grand Prix had more chatter about celebrity outfits than lap times, with stars like Tom Holland and Kylie Minogue rocking track-inspired looks that screamed high-speed glamour. Think colour-block leather jackets, fingerless driving gloves, and tees plastered with Ferrari’s iconic red logo – pure fire. Back in 2018, Tommy Hilfiger and Gigi Hadid dropped a racing-inspired collection at Milan Fashion Week, blending sporty edge with supermodel swagger, and it’s still sparking inspo today. For Ireland’s second-gen Gen Z, this vibe’s a perfect fit. You’re already mixing Nigerian afrobeats with Irish trad, or Polish pierogi with Dublin slang – motorsport fashion’s just another way to flex your dual-identity drip. Picture a queer, Filipino-Irish teen in Galway rocking a thrifted racing jacket with a jollof-stained tee, or a Polish-Irish DJ in Cork spinning tracks in checkered-flag trainers. It’s not just clothes; it’s a statement of who you are – bold, global, and unstoppable.

But this ain’t just about looking cool. Gen Z’s flipping the script on fashion, demanding sustainability and inclusivity, and motorsport chic’s no exception. You’re not just wearing the trend – you’re redefining it. Vintage stores in Temple Bar are popping off with second-hand racing gear, aligning with Gen Z’s push for sustainable style over fast fashion’s waste. A 2024 WWF study notes Europeans discard 12 kilos of clothing yearly, with only 1% recycled – y’all are changing that by thrifting and upcycling motorsport looks. Plus, this trend’s inclusive as hell: from women rocking oversized F1 jerseys to non-binary kids pairing racing caps with traditional African prints, it’s a style that says everyone’s welcome on the track.

Why Irish Media’s Sleeping on This

Irish media’s stuck in neutral while Gen Z’s burning rubber. Flip on RTÉ’s 6 PM news or Virgin Media’s Ireland AM, and it’s the same old faces, not reflecting the multicultural, motorsport-chic energy of Ireland’s youth. Where’s the Nigerian-Irish presenter breaking down how thrifted racing jackets are a sustainability win? Where’s the Indian-Irish, queer stylist on The Six O’Clock Show showing how to mix F1 tees with Desi patterns? Your €160 TV licence – part of RTÉ’s €186 million haul, down 15% after 2023’s scandals – should fund media that mirrors you, not your granda’s coffee break. Joe Duffy’s Liveline might chat about the weather, but it’s not vibing with the second-gen kid in Dublin 8 styling a Ferrari cap with a hijab.

Gen Z’s mindset is clear: style’s about identity, not status. A BoF Insights survey says 89% of Gen Z see fashion as a confidence booster, and 82% use it to shape their identity, not chase trends. Motorsport fashion’s perfect for this – accessible, customisable, and screaming individuality. Yet, RTÉ Radio 1’s stuck on rugby commentators, and Virgin’s Discovers films, like The Knife tackling racism, get late-night slots, not prime-time. Imagine a Black-Irish, bi host on a prime-time show, breaking down how motorsport chic’s sustainable edge fights climate change’s chaos – Met Éireann says Ireland’s seen a 20% jump in extreme weather from 2015-2024. That’s the media we need, not token ads or outdated vibes.

Racing Toward Bigger Fights

Motorsport fashion’s more than a flex – it’s Gen Z’s way of tackling the big stuff. You’re not just styling racing gloves; you’re fighting for a planet that’s not drowning. The IPCC warns we’ve got less than a decade to cap global warming at 1.5°C, and Ireland’s coastal towns like Lahinch are already losing ground to rising seas. The cost-of-living crisis is real – CSO data shows Dublin rents spiked 12% in 2024, and 30% of Gen Z are stuck in gig jobs, per a 2024 ESRI study. For second-gen youth, it’s that plus extra: dodging microaggressions like “Where you really from?” or balancing Diwali with a Dublin hustle. Motorsport fashion’s affordable – thrifted jackets cost €20, not €200 – and sustainable, letting you look dope while fighting fast fashion’s waste. It’s a small win in a world where you’re grinding for air you can breathe and a flat you can afford.

Across the pond, UK stars like Munroe Bergdorf are blending queerness, race, and eco-talk on BBC and Insta, showing how fashion can spark big convos. Ireland’s got talent too but RTÉ and Virgin Media aren’t giving them the spotlight to talk style and substance. Picture a queer, Indian-Irish host on a prime-time show, styling a racing jacket while unpacking how Ireland’s housing crisis hits migrant families hardest, with TikTok clips going viral. Or a Black-Irish DJ on radio, spinning global beats and diving into sustainable fashion. That’s the media Gen Z’s craving – one that sees style as a gateway to our fights.

Why This Trend Hits Deep

Motorsport fashion isn’t just about drip – it’s about being seen. When Irish media skips stories of second-gen kids rocking F1 gear while marching for climate justice or hustling through rent spikes, it’s like our lives don’t exist. Representation matters – studies show it boosts self-esteem for minority youth, whether it’s race, sexuality, or culture. A Syrian-Irish, non-binary Gen Z-er in a racing cap, talking floods and identity on Insta Live? That’s the vibe. Or a podcast with a queer, Filipino-Irish host and guests like Ahmed, With Love, spitting bars about style and systemic change. Motorsport fashion’s bold logos and thrifted finds let you scream your story – multicultural, inclusive, and ready to reshape Ireland.

This trend’s also a sustainability flex. Gen Z’s done with fast fashion’s planet-choking waste – Reformation’s eco-friendly dresses, loved by Taylor Swift and Kaia Gerber, show how style can be green and chic. In Ireland, you’re hitting thrift shops and swapping racing tees on Depop, keeping clothes out of landfills. It’s practical too – motorsport gear’s durable, versatile, and budget-friendly for a generation where half can’t dream of owning a home, per CSO stats. It’s fashion that works for your wallet and the world.

Your Move, Gen Z

Your €160 TV licence and your voice can demand a media that looks like Ireland’s future – diverse, bold, and locked in on what matters. Motorsport fashion’s your runway to show the world who you are – second-gen, queer, straight, whatever – while fighting for a planet and a life you can afford. We need RTÉ, Virgin Media, and radio to platform voices like yours: a Polish-Irish, queer DJ spinning tracks and breaking down eco-friendly style, or a Black-Irish host tackling the housing grind with a racing jacket swagger. Flood X with #EqualityWorxVibes and tell us: who’s the second-gen star you wanna see rocking motorsport chic and leading the convo on climate, culture, and equality? Drop your story, vid, or track to EqualityWorx. Let’s make Ireland’s airwaves and screens scream us – no basic ads, just pure Gen Z energy. 🏎️🌍 #IrishVibes