The Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance is the finest concours event in the United States and among the top three or so in the world. Translation: this is not a casual happening. It is elegant, so why not look elegant? It is fun to dress up for the concours; not only does it make the event seem even more special, but it also gives you a chance to express your personal style.
The first thing to think about is clothes. While some people do show up in T-shirts (and there really isn’t a dress code to attend), it is a good idea to think about what to wear if you don’t want to look like silly. My go-to is a nice suit, sometimes with a tie and sometimes without. You can go flamboyant, elegant, or just opt for a nice blazer and a dress shirt — all work nicely. One important thing to know is that you are walking on somewhat damp grass all day, so rubber-soled dress shoes (not sneakers) would be a more sensible choice over leather-soled footwear, or else you are likely to ruin a good pair of shoes.
Second, if you are going to Dawn Patrol (which means arriving very early to see the cars drive on the field in the pre-dawn hours), remember that you’re not there to get a Dawn Patrol hat but rather to see these amazing cars drive on the field with their headlights on — something that looks amazing. Do not push and shove to get a $5 hat. If you get one, great; if not, don’t make a big deal about it.
Finally, behave in a way that would (in the words of my former editor at Classic Motorsports, David Wallens) “make your mother proud.” This is a fun event — it is not a circus. Take in the spectacle of the cars, meet some new friends, and enjoy the splendor of Pebble Beach. Most importantly, never touch a car on the lawn. These are not your cars — they belong to someone else. An owner might invite you to touch some particular part of his or her car, but unless you are invited, don’t. You might break or scratch something, which not only damages the car but also costs the owner points in judging.
Do ask questions about the cars. Owners are more than happy to answer questions and, honestly, most love to do so. I have made many friends in the car world by simply by asking a question to an owner.
If you have never attended Pebble Beach, I hope this in some way helps. The event is truly one of the wonders of the automotive world and, as a result, approaching it with the respect it is due as a spectator will only make your experience more rewarding and fun.
