Back in 2023, Julian Day and Shaida Day from the costume department working on the new F1 movie were looking for specific pieces to dress Brad Pitt’s character, Sonny Hayes. They needed clothing that would feel authentic for a veteran racing driver who’d been around the block and knew quality when he saw it.
For those who haven’t seen it yet, F1 tells the story of Sonny Hayes, a former Formula 1 phenom from the 1990s whose promising career was derailed by a catastrophic crash. Thirty years later, he’s back for one last shot at redemption, mentoring rookie driver Joshua Pearce while driving for the struggling APXGP team. The film has been a massive hit since it came out this year, becoming Brad Pitt’s highest-grossing film.
Why our brands made sense
The costume team wasn’t looking for flashy or ostentatious pieces. Sonny Hayes is someone who values substance over show; exactly the kind of person who’d gravitate toward the brands we stock at TTK. Julian Day, who’s worked on everything from Rocketman to Rebecca, understood that the clothing needed to tell a story about the character without shouting about it.
We supplied pieces from Loop & Weft, Seuvas, RoToTo, and The Rite Stuff, brands that embody the same philosophy Hayes would respect. These aren’t companies chasing trends or cutting corners. They’re makers who understand that the best clothing gets better with age and tells the story of the person wearing it.
Loop & Weft’s loopwheel construction and vintage-inspired silhouettes were perfect for Hayes’ off-track wardrobe. If you’ve read our guide to loopwheel t-shirts, you’ll know why these pieces matter. The brand uses traditional Japanese manufacturing techniques that produce clothing with a completely different feel and durability compared to modern mass production. For a character who’s spent decades around race paddocks, these pieces would be second nature.
Seuvas brought their workwear-inspired designs to the mix. The brand’s focus on durable, well-made garments crafted from canvas produced by the oldest manufacturer in Japan, speaks to someone who’s practical above all else.
RoToTo socks handled the details and if you’ve ever worn a pair, you’ll understand why they were chosen. Made in Hiroyu, Japan, using vintage American knitting machines from the early 1900s, these socks embody the “lifelong consumables” philosophy that defines everything we stock.
The Coarse Ribbed Old School sock was a particular favourite of Brad Pitt. From an article in WWD:
One of the most important parts of the wardrobe was the socks: Day and his wife, Shaida, who is an associate designer, found a Japanese brand called Rototo that Pitt fell in love with.
“We bought so many socks, and socks would get spirited away — I have no idea where they went. I think Brad’s suitcases must have been quite full of socks,” Day jokes.
Julian Day, Costume Designer
The Rite Stuff contributed pieces that perfectly capture the intersection of military heritage and civilian practicality. Bryan Shettig’s approach to manufacturing, working with John Lofgren in Japan and focusing on ethical production creates clothing that feels authentic because it is authentic.
The authenticity factor
Director Joseph Kosinski, who also made Top Gun: Maverick, is known for his commitment to getting the details right. With seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton serving as producer and consultant, every aspect of the film needed to feel genuine. The costume department’s approach reflected this same attention to detail.
Brad Pitt in TTK gear. Photo from Julian Day’s Instagram @palecriminal
Rather than treating clothing as costumes, they were looking for pieces that could believably belong to someone like Sonny Hayes. These brands we supplied fit perfectly into that vision because they’re not trying to look like anything other than what they are. Quality clothing made by people who care about their craft.
What this means
Working with the F1 costume department was a reminder of why we do what we do. It’s not just about selling clothes, it’s about supporting brands that create pieces with integrity, that get better rather than worse over time, and that serve a purpose beyond just looking good.
Brad Pitt’s portrayal of Sonny Hayes has been praised for its authenticity and understated confidence. The clothing plays a subtle but important role in that performance, not because it’s expensive or exclusive, but because it feels real. These pieces have their own stories and character, just like the brands that make them.
As F1 continues to pack cinemas worldwide, and we’re proud to have played a small part in bringing this story to life. It’s a reminder that the best clothing, like the best films, transcends surface appeal and speaks to something deeper about character, authenticity, and the stories we choose to tell.