The Trials and Tribulations of Finding Automotive Apparel
Globally, there’s no shortage of women’s automotive apparel — but in Australia, the market simply isn’t taken seriously.
After walking in from a long Saturday of go-kart practice, my suit tied around my waist, Mum looked me up and down. The mesh underlay was bursting through the ripped leg seams. She sighed and said candidly, “Maddi… I really think it’s time to get a new suit.”
As much as it pained me to let go of my surprisingly flattering and comfortable suit, it had definitely seen its final days. After all, I’d worn it almost every weekend for three years, and a flannelette shirt probably would have offered about the same level of protection.
Still, I dreaded the thought of buying a new one. The awful, relatable experience of trying on suit after suit that makes you feel body-conscious is something many women in motorsport know too well. But eventually, I agreed with my parents — it was time to upgrade to something more protective and padded. So, I bit the bullet and faced what I dread most in my sport: trying on suits.
It wasn’t until I began my search that I realised there’s only one go-kart suit in Australia specifically designed for the female body — the Sparco Kerb Lady, priced at $450. Talk about lack of representation in a male-dominated sport.
The suit ended up being far too tight, so I opted for the men’s version — the Sparco Kerb — sacrificing fit for comfort. And let’s not forget: six colour options for men, just two for women. In the words of my dad, “It’s a joke.”
For girls wanting a more budget-friendly option, there’s little choice but to buy a cheaper men’s suit. Despite initiatives like the Girls Race Too movement encouraging female participation in karting, the disparity in fitment sends a disappointing message about gender equality in motorsport gear.
For the car girls, the female suits available in Australia are limited to two main options:
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OMP Women’s First Elle Race Suit — $835 AUD
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Sparco Competition Lady Race Suit — $1,229 AUD
In Australia, female motorcycle riders face a double whammy — a lack of choice in both racing and standard road gear.
AMX Superstores, Australia’s largest motorcycle gear franchise, is severely lacking in women’s apparel. As of October 2025, AMX offers 33 variants of men’s race suits, compared with just three for women. That’s disheartening in 2025, especially given the steady rise of female riders since the 2000s.
According to the ABC, the proportion of NSW motorcycle licence holders who are women has grown from 9.6% to 13.2% since 2003. Nearly 90,000 women in the state now hold motorcycle licences — a 128% increase in two decades.
The issue extends beyond race gear into standard road apparel. AMX stocks 115 women’s road jackets versus 323 men’s, and 60 women’s pants versus 117 men’s. The gap is narrowing, but there’s still work to do.
By contrast, J&S Accessories — the UK’s leading motorcycle retailer — offers far greater inclusivity, with hundreds of jackets, over 70 trousers and denim variants, and seven leather suits from 16 brands. It’s clear that globally, women’s motorcycle apparel exists — it’s simply not made available by many Australian retailers.
Thankfully, this is where Peak Moto comes in.
“Peak Moto is a premium motorcycle gear shop that specialises in women’s gear,” offering thousands of products online and through its Melbourne and Brisbane stores.
Proudly women-run, Peak Moto’s mission is “to create a welcoming space where riders of all backgrounds feel supported, respected, and part of the community.”
The historic portrayal of women in the automotive world goes some way to explaining why body confidence and self-image remain such persistent issues.
Growing up in the hot rod and classic car scene, I saw first-hand how the work of female mechanics, drivers, and enthusiasts was overshadowed by the hyper-sexualised imagery of pin-up and grid girls. These visuals fuelled a male-dominated culture — one that made it easy for young women to compare themselves to unrealistic ideals.
As I got older and more involved in motorsport, I realised how damaging those subconscious comparisons could be. They can make even the most confident girls second-guess themselves when trying on gear that’s often unflattering or poorly designed for the female form.
Australia still has a long way to go when it comes to stocking women’s karting, motorcycle, car racing, and general automotive apparel. But thanks to forward-thinking companies like Peak Moto, the tide is beginning to turn. They’re proving that women’s equality in motorsport doesn’t stop at the starting line — it belongs on the shelves too.
***All prices correct at time of publishing
Maddi Gurmesevic is an aspiring writer and journalist within the automotive and Motorsport world. She has a large passion for the sport itself, as well as sharing the incredible stories of people across different facets of the industry. Maddi is also a driver herself, competing in Karting since an early teen, along with volunteer work with Motorsport Australia.