Just as athletic wear evolved into chic streetwear, ski styles have transcended the slopes.
Winter sports apparel once reserved for racing downhill has schussed its way into apres-ski chic styles that include toasty cardigans, thermal tops and shearling boots that are perfect for relaxing around a fireplace or socializing in a chalet.
Designers such as Ralph Lauren, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana and Versace have warmed up to the idea of streamlined jackets and stretch pants in techno fabrics that combine function and fashion, replacing the bulky parkas and heavy wool ski sweaters of winters past.
The more youthful and versatile looks are built to withstand the rugged pace of downhill slopes and backcountry trails, while giving a feminine flair to snow bunnies whose ski holidays center on night life in the clubhouse lounge.
Alicia Allen, fashion spokeswoman for SnowSports Industries America, a national nonprofit trade association representing snow sports equipment manufacturers, says several companies -- especially snowboarding-oriented firms such as Burton, Ride and K2 -- are offering jackets and pants that can be used on the slopes, "but are so cool and hip that they serve a dual purpose as streetwear."
Trendy cargo pants with ample pockets for storage are waterproof and warm on the mountain, but they make a fashion statement in the lodge as apres-ski wear as well, Allen says. Snowboarders -- typically a teen-oriented market -- want their own identity that sets them apart from skiers, and clothing manufacturers have responded.
New from Burton is a Night Op jacket that has a headlamp-like lighting system on the hood for navigating down the mountain after dark. Mission 6 introduces its Nomad, a puffy jacket with a zip-off sleeping bag at the bottom part of the jacket for impromptu sleepovers.
One of the biggest influences for snowboard looks is urban wear, according to Trent Bush of Section, who says, "We are shooting for an anti-outerwear look in the majority of the line. Snowboarding is a really fun thing to do, but you don't necessarily want to look like you're riding 24 hours a day."
At Ski North in Wexford, buyer Wynne King says that ski sweaters are more close-knit and fitted this year, with angoras and cashmeres as popular choices. Snowboard clothing, which in the past was primarily far-out and avant-garde in styles and colors, is "a little blander and a little more feminine this year," King says.
The outlandish segment of the snowboarder's outfit has gone to his or her head, she adds, as crazy ski hats are selling well for kids through adults. Options from Mental include funky fleece in troll, warrior, spike, devil and court-jester looks, while Screamer offers traditional knit hats in Nordic designs for men, women and children.
King says one of this season's most-asked-for hats is a Glen Plake-look topper, inspired by the world champion hot dog skier from Silver Lake, Nev., whose wild Mohawk hairstyle has become his trademark.
At Willi's ski and snowboard shop in Castle Shannon, manager Donna Gagliardi says the new season is all about fashionable, functional gear in exciting new colors and groupings.
Ski sweaters -- which in recent years have taken a back seat to fleece -- are back in full force this winter, she says, in rich wool blends embellished with sparkle thread and floral embroidery.
"Sweaters are making a comeback," Gagliardi says, with elegant details such as a simple yet stunning black rhinestone front zipper that gives a luxurious look to a mustard sweater from Metropolis. Other new ski separates include, from Nomadic Traders, a lined sweater jacket with cuffs and embroidery, and from Bogner, a high-fashion hot pink, black and white Picasso-print ski jacket that is so ultramodern that Gagliardi says, "It's not for everyone."
Also making news for skiers and snowboarders at Willi's are several colorful collections of underwear -- including a delicate iced-pink lacy shell from Nils -- designed to provide a first layer of body warmth on the slopes.
A new line of CWX conditioning performance-wear from Compression is pricey at $80, Gagliardi says, but it is a must-have for advanced skiers and "anyone who is active" to keep muscles tight while maneuvering on the slopes. A series of interwoven bands helps protect joints and muscles from injuries and optimize performance, she says.
At Fox Chapel Sports ski and board shop, manager Gerry Greisenegger says that ski apparel is especially colorful this season.
"Everything goes," he says, "from red to purple to the very trendy shades of black, silver and orange -- and every new jacket is waterproof, windproof and breathable." He says he advises his customers to look for technical fabrics other than Gore-Tex, which was one of the first laminates used for outdoor apparel. Newer, similar materials developed by skiwear makers such as Obermeyer, Spyder and others "are actually more efficient than Gore-Tex," Greisenegger says.
Officials at SnowSports Industries America agree that advances in fabric technologies enable skiwear manufacturers to offer more lightweight fabrics with warmer insulation, and "a jacket that would have weighed 2 pounds a few years ago now weighs 7 ounces."
Greisenegger says the fastest-growing aspect of the skiwear business is helmets for children through adults. He says that, unfortunately, the only age group reluctant to wear helmets for snow sports is 13 to 17, "the age group that needs them most." He recommends that all skiers and snowboards wear protective headgear.
"Today's helmets are so lightweight and comfortable and cool-looking," he says. "You have to wear a hat anyway, so why not be safe?"
As for toe-topping footwear, Rocco Procida, general manager at Little's Super Shoe Store, Squirrel Hill, notes that the popular Technica moon boots are perfect for apres-ski, in black, denim or pink. Also from Technica, the Skandia and Yaghi goat-fur boots are stylish this season, he says.
Also in demand for relaxing in the ski lodge is the Primo Chill clog from Merrell, he says, that is "one of the hottest new looks" in water-resistant, shearling-lined pig suede. "The clog is unbelievable" for its versatility and comfort, he says.
Shussing in style
With its new technological advances and lively colors, skiwear has never looked so good or performed so well, according to Alicia Allen, fashion spokeswoman for SnowSports Industries America. And, what's even better, she says, is that today's winter sports apparel is more affordable than in the past due to a wider variety of available soft-shell fabrics.
So, with no excuses left for not hitting the slopes this winter, here are major 2004-05 fashion trends from some of the heavy-hitter skiwear manufacturers:
Bogner: Bogner's new line is an eclectic and trendy mix of styles and colors, featuring tight-fitting stirrup and cargo pants, real fur applications and ski jackets with a "retro-biker look."
Fera: New men's styles include a streetwear-inspired Cargo pant, while women's pants are segmented into two fits: classic and contemporary (low rise). A new Tokyo jacket is a sleek-looking quilted nylon vest with stretch fabric sleeves.
Helly Hansen: The Fissure jacket is one of several that features eVENT fabric technology, a Gore-Tex alternative with breathability and laminated, bonded soft-shell nylons. The more urban-influenced Remix line delivers down jackets such as the bomber-style Sugar and the long-cut Mad Daddy, that blend mountain culture practicality with street styling.
Marmot: Like other traditional mountaineering companies, Marmot has recently expanded its skiwear-specific lines. The CMH collection includes insulated jackets such as the Storm King and the Telluride, a Gore-Tex soft-shell with taped seams. Marmot also showcases the Phenomenon EL jacket, with electro-luminescent panels built into the jacket to provide visibility and identification in the dark or during storms.
Orage: Focusing on technical yet urban-influenced garments designed specifically for free-skiers, Orage expands its all-weather denim line with the addition of All Weather Canvas garments, including a waterproof/breathable canvas one-piece suit. It also introduces its After Hours collection, with plaid poplin stretch shirts and casual jackets with faux-denim and -suede effects.
Sessions: Innovations include a track suit-inspired piece for women, and for men, a Chameleon jacket featuring an iridescent fabric that changes color slightly.
Sport Obermeyer: Denim is the big story for Obermeyer women's collections -- not real denim, but a performance fabric that looks like denim.
Rossignol Technical Outerwear (RTO): In addition to offering several price-point soft-shells, Rossignol goes high-end with its continuing partnership with Parisian designer Jean-Charles de Castlebajac. An expanded JCC line includes turtlenecks, neon colors, and retro pieces designed in the style of French military-issue sweaters.
Salomon: Salomon's redesigned lines fall into three style categories: Freestyle, Big Mountain and All-Mountain. The Teneighty pant, with its jean styling, oversized fit and urban-influenced fabrics, comes in denim and corduroy and is indicative of the Freestyle line. The Big Mountain line features highly technical pieces such as the Valdez jacket, a Primaloft-insulated shell with stretch air-permeable panels, while the All-Mountain line is more style-driven.
Spyder: From this traditional alpine and ski racing company, an all-new Bode Miller collection that features "attitude wear," accessories, and the Bode Miller jacket with a communications pocket complete with a weatherproof antenna portal.
Source: SnowSports Industries America
