One of the first questions we ask customers when we start designing their teamwear is, "What colours are you thinking of?"
Sometimes they know exactly what they want. Other times the answer is, "I'm not sure - can you give us some ideas?"
Choosing the right colours can make a huge difference to how your team looks in the paddock. A good colour scheme creates a professional image, makes your sponsors stand out and helps people recognise your team at a glance.
Here are a few things worth thinking about before you settle on a design.
Start With Your Race Car
The easiest place to find inspiration is the car itself.
If your teamwear reflects the livery, everything feels connected. You don't need to copy every stripe or graphic, but using the same main colours creates a much stronger team identity.
Think about some of the biggest teams in motorsport. Whether you're watching Formula 1, GT racing or touring cars, the team clothing almost always matches the cars.
Think About Where the Clothing Will Be Worn
A design that looks fantastic on a race car doesn't always work on a polo shirt.
Large areas of white might look great in the workshop, but after a wet weekend at the circuit they'll show every mark. Likewise, an all-black shirt can look smart, but it can become very hot during the middle of summer.
That's why many teams use darker colours as the base and brighter colours for the details.
It's practical, but it still creates plenty of impact.
Don't Use Too Many Colours
One of the biggest mistakes we see is trying to include every colour from a sponsor logo.
The result is usually a design that feels busy and lacks any real identity.
In most cases, three or four colours are all you need. Let one colour dominate, use another as the secondary colour and keep the remaining colours for highlights and sponsor details.
Simple designs nearly always age better than complicated ones.
Make Your Sponsors Easy to Read
Your sponsors are supporting your team because they want people to notice their brand.
If you've ever struggled to read a logo because it's sitting on a similar coloured background, you'll know how important contrast is.
White logos on dark colours are usually a safe option, while darker logos often work best on lighter panels.
It's worth thinking about this before the design is finalised rather than trying to squeeze logos into whatever space is left.
Think About Your Whole Team
Remember that the clothing won't just be worn by the driver.
Mechanics, engineers, hospitality staff and family members may all be wearing the same colours throughout the weekend.
A colour scheme needs to look good across polos, hoodies, jackets, softshells and even waterproofs.
Designing the whole range together gives your team a much more professional appearance than choosing each garment separately.
Don't Follow Every Trend
Fluorescent colours and bold graphics are hugely popular at the moment, and they can look fantastic when they're used well.
The problem is that trends change.
If you're planning to use the same teamwear for several seasons, it's often worth choosing a colour scheme that will still look good in five years' time.
Classic combinations such as red and silver, navy and white or black with subtle accent colours rarely go out of fashion.
Need Some Inspiration?
If you're struggling to decide, look around the paddock.
Some of the best ideas come from race cars, helmets and even historic racing liveries. You don't have to copy another team, but you can often spot colour combinations that work well together.
We've also put together a growing collection of teamwear colour inspiration articles, showcasing combinations inspired by classic cars, modern race teams and iconic motorsport colours.
Final Thoughts
There isn't a single "best" colour scheme for race team clothing.
The right choice depends on your car, your sponsors and the image you want your team to project.
Keep it simple, make sure your sponsors are easy to read and don't be afraid to let one colour do most of the work. A well-balanced design will always look more professional than one that's trying to include every colour at once.
After all, the aim isn't just to look good in the paddock—it's to create a team identity that people remember long after the race weekend is over.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many colours should a race team use?
Three or four colours is usually enough. One should be the main colour, with the others used for contrast and highlights.
Should teamwear match the race car?
It doesn't have to match exactly, but using the same core colours creates a much more professional and recognisable team image.
What colours are best for race team clothing?
There isn't a single best choice, but combinations with good contrast tend to work well. Dark base colours with brighter accents are popular because they're practical and make sponsor logos stand out.
Should I use black for teamwear?
Black is a great base colour because it hides dirt and looks smart, but it can get hot in summer. Many teams combine black with brighter accent colours for the best of both worlds.
Can you match our teamwear to our car livery?
Yes. A custom design can be created using your race car's colours and graphics, helping to give your team a consistent, professional appearance.
