issue #48: how to dress if you want to look like you can ski.
I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to get anything out to you guys today, as I’ve been in Colorado on vacation for the past week. And because I’ve been on vacation, my brain has reliably turned to mush. Rather than staring at a computer screen, analyzing data in Excel and strategizing for future buying seasons, I’ve been sitting around with family, taking long chilly walks, drinking too many mulled wines, relaxing, reading a book (!!), and attempting to hit the slopes.
I’m not a great skier. I really only learned how in the last couple of years, when I was working in the outdoor apparel industry and felt that it was my duty to at least have a general idea of knowing how. If I was going to be selling cold weather and ski apparel, I thought it was important I had actually been on the slopes at some point in my life. At least to vaguely be able to walk the walk. Plus, there’s something so intoxicating about the thought of bombing down a mountain, wind in your face, trees towering to each side of you, feeling nothing but freedom.
Unfortunately, that has not been my actual lived experience when it comes to skiing. As it turns out, I am a scaredy cat, and skiing is scary.
Learning to do something as an adult is difficult. We are more set in our ways than we realize, and attempting to update our habits, mindset, and physical abilities requires an inordinate amount of effort. I blame this as to why I am unable to absorb any further French than my freshman college level skills. But it’s also really liberating, attempting to learn something. It’s liberating being a beginner again, to just not be good at something.
But as I was struggling to navigate getting around on my skis, slowly swerving back and forth on the easiest hill I could find. Shaky, at best, on my feet, I realized that being good at it wasn’t the point. The point, for me at least, was to be outside. To feel the freezing air on my face. To observe the blue skies and the big trees and the white snow around me. To feel a sense of freedom. To feel small in the world. To enjoy time alone, in nature, in the world. To take a break from the desire to do better, do more, be busy, living on the go, always. To be humbled, by what I cannot do, and to be proud of what I can. To just move, in a way that is both scary and cathartic, to breathe in fresh air, to just…be.
And, of course, to look the part. Because besides the fresh air and the apres, the best part of skiing is looking like you’re a skier. Fortunately, we seem to be living in an age of excellent outdoor apparel.
Gorpcore led the way, a few years back, when we all had nothing to do except get outside. A whole bunch of people discovered the outdoors for probably the first time in their lives, and they were met there by brands such as The North Face, and Wander, Arc’teryx, Patagonia, Gramicci, Snow Peak. Major players in the outdoor industry that had honed their craft over years of designing and producing for outdoor and outdoor sport enthusiasts. These brands leaned masculine, beige, and crunchy, and served a real purpose for people looking for quality gear to satisfy their new lifestyle. Even if one wasn’t actually getting outside, it still felt good, and on trend, to look the part.
Now, although the gorpcore trend seems to be waning - we can go out again and we want to dress for it! - we still want to look good when we get out there and do things. Fortunately, there are plenty of options that are both technically great and stylistically appealing.
Below, a few of my favorite outdoor brands (and just a few styling tips). Because it’s a great season to get outdoors, take a break from the screens, breathe in some fresh air, and treat yourself to a slope side Irish coffee, whether or not you actually click in to those skis or lace up those hiking boots.
Technically a hiking brand, as the name implies, Hikerkind offers great base layer and mid weight pieces for layering all winter. Founded in 2021 by two (amazing) women, the brand set out to not just create premium hiking apparel, but a community. They are dedicated to empowering women to get out there and hike, but with their background in the luxury fashion industry, they simultaneously have created really great looking pieces that you want to wear both on and off the trail. Must have: Ribbed Merino Turtleneck, Midlayer 01, Packable Down Puffer 01, Performance Base Top 01
Halfdays, also founded by women, was created with the goal to get more women out there on the mountain. One of the founders, an Olympic skier, was frustrated with the lack of ski clothing and gear made for women’s bodies, and wanted to provide not just apparel made for women specifically, but also offer welcoming and approachable community focused on getting more women out there and disrupting the male-dominated and hardcore culture of skiing and snow sports. Must have: Pieper Fleece, Sophia Legging, Marie Top, Nellie Packable Puffer Jacket, Carson Bib Pant
The theme here so far is women noticing a lack of options for them in the market, and then creating what they want to wear and see. The origin story for Cordova is no different. Founder Jane Seim (and her co-founder husband), set out to provide women with ski and apres ski apparel that’s sleek and fun but is of the highest quality. Must have: a ski suit. Try the Ajax, or the classic Cordova.
We all know Uniqlo isn’t a ski brand, but their Heattech base layers are unparalleled and a must own for anyone looking to get outdoors during the winter, full stop. Must have: Heattech Ultra Warm High Neck, Heattech Ultra Warm Leggings, Heattech Cashmere Blend Turtleneck, Heattech Cashmere Blend Shirt
Technically ski adjacent, Devold really does offer the best 100% wool, classic Norwegian sweaters that are perfect for layering either on the slopes or at the base bar for apres. Must have: this one, and this one.
Bonus excellent ski sweaters: We Norwegians & LL Bean (a classic!!). Or if you’re feeling extra spendy, go for O.A. Devold, the luxe line from the family behind Devold.
How to wear it:
My same advice for everything applies here - layers. Always start with a base layer - try the Uniqlo Heattech turtlenecks and leggings, or the Halfdays Marie top and Sophia leggings - under a knit or midlayer. Top that with a ski suit, pants, or bib (I always prefer a one piece, way cooler), and finish it off with a weather proof jacket. Other essentials include: ski socks, a beanie, a helmet, some gloves, goggles, and a gaiter. For shoes, go with whatever is already in your closet. The LL Bean Bean Boot is a classic, but I trudged around Winter Park in my Everlane Chelsea Lug Boots all week and they worked just fine. Just please for the love of god can we all agree to stop wearing Moon Boots?
See you Thursday!
xx,
jen
I am a Colorado girl and a long-time skier so I appreciated the tips on fresh brands. I think that there has been a focus in sportswear on utility-utility-utility and now there are people (women!) founding brands that mix that with really beautiful and wearable pieces.
PS- where have you been skiing in CO?!
Once again I have to wonder if we’re living in the same simulation! I am going skiing next week and can’t wait to report live from the slopes. Loved your beautiful writing about this maddening but marvelous sport, and your v. stylish gear recs!