Styles
of Ski Apparel loosen up on the slopes
This story was published in
the New England Ski Journal: October 2003
By Heather Burke
The
line in the snow between snowboard and ski apparel has been groomed
over. The resulting merge between styles is good news for both riders
and two plankers. Skiers are wearing more loosing fitting, comfortable
and fun gear. Meanwhile snowboarders are benefiting from the technical
aspects of ski products – waterproof, breathable, durable fabrics –
recognizing that cotton hooded sweatshirts are not the answer for the
wet and wild sport. Here are a few fashion forward trends turning up
at ski shops and lift lines this coming winter.
1. Just when I had convinced my Dad not to wear his dungarees to the
slopes, Rossignol debuts a Gore-Tex Jeans Cross line for snowsports.
This weather-treated denim called Genoa is the product of Rossi’s
Parisian fashion guru Jean-Charles de Castelbajac. Take your pick off
stonewashed, orange or beige denim. Metropolis also has a line of
waterproof denim ski wear for ladies. This hip and stylish jeans look
should turn heads at all the “it” resorts. Sorry Dad, the old water
absorbing dungarees are still a fashion don’t.
2. Another Rossi trend is full of hot air. The AirVantage system
allows skiers and riders to self-inflate their AirJacket (as if some
of the folks on the slopes weren’t already over inflated). According
to Rossignol’s National Sales Manager Maryanne Hartley, “You can drive
to the slopes with your jacket un-inflated, then blow in a layer of
warm air in the base lodge, and release air through a self regulating
valve as you warm up throughout the ski day creating versatility in
one piece of clothing.” And it makes for a conversation piece on the
chairlift, “mind if I let out a little hot air?”
3.
Spyder is getting cheaper. This is big news from the upper-end, high
performance ski apparel company. Spyder introduces a new
value-oriented line of clothing called Stryke, but customers will
still find the well-constructed, taped seams that have put Spyder on
the quality winter wear map. “The Stryke line is a better value than
any other promotional line on the market,” said Chiara Putnam of
Putnam’s Ski & Sport in Portsmouth New Hampshire. “You have the Spyder
tradition of quality behind the product with a less expensive entry
point.”
4. Obermeyer has been a leader in kids’ skiwear for decades. According
to Barbara Owen of Obermeyer, “Kids can expect to see more features in
Obermeyer jackets, from goggle cloths, powder skirts and cuffs, to pit
zips. These features have become standard in the adult products, and
Obermeyer recognized that kids really need and use these gadgets -
perhaps more than the adults.”
5. The elegant après ski look is hitting the slopes. Obermeyer’s
Resort collection is intended for on slope action, with stylish but
durable embroidery, faux fur and micro suede in beautiful shades of
chianti, malachite, and bluestone. So now you can go from last run to
last call, without a wardrobe change. Nils skiwear is also injecting
glamour on the slopes with glitter and sequins in their women’s line.
Putnam said, “This luxurious clothing line previously thought of for
après ski is now being treated to be breathable and waterproof –
making it functional for the slopes.”
6. On a more practical not
e,
Mountain Hardwear wants to make your bathroom breaks quicker. Mountain
Hardware introduces a split crotch long-john bottom, for convenience
when you’ve got to go. If it means more time on the slopes, and
shorter lines in the ladies room, it gets my vote.
7. Medalist, long known for long johns, now promises a Lycra product
called MicroSkin designed to minimize muscle fatigue by reflecting
body heat. I will take a pair of those too please.
8. If you haven’t heard enough about wicking, the more politically
correct term for pulling sweat away from your body, now there is
technology to wick away both stick and stink. Columbia’s line of EC2
Qwik-Dri thermals will be available for the entire family this season,
with a new fabric that promises to manage moisture and odor – for Mom
and Dad and the smelly little kids too. That should make the après ski
ride home in the SUV a bit more pleasant.
9. Helmets are not new, but they continue to improve in weight
(specifically less of it), ventilation and comfort. Leedom’s new Zen
is ultra lightweight with ten adjustable vents and removable earflaps
and liner, and it comes in five cool color choices, according to Wendy
Sweet of Leedom. Boeri introduces the Steez (code word for style among
freeriders) with wider vents and shutoffs, and removable earflaps as
well – in six shades including “blast” which is the hot crimson red of
the season.
10. Beanies, the lightweight hip headdress, remain the trendy hat
style for this season. The new movement is to switch from your helmet
to your beanie - roll one up in your pocket and put it on when you
take off your lid - to cover up your helmet hair and make a fashion
statement all at once, according to Putnam.
This season’s fashion line combines fun, innovation and function.
Visit your local ski and board shop soon to check out the latest
winter wear.
