What to wear this winter

The summer holidays remain a recent memory, but behind the scenes our favourite brand designers have already got winter wrapped up – with three key trends to look out for on the rails this ski season.

City to Summit

Many of today’s outdoor brands are catching on to our appetite for clothes that suit all situations. Why have a wardrobe full of choices, or a suitcase bursting with outfits when you can streamline your clothing collection based on functionality and versatility.

We’re talking jackets, fleeces, hoodies, tops and trousers that are comfortable to wear on the slopes, in town, and in the après ski bar.

Eider is a name that’s bucking that very trend this winter. The French skiwear specialists have introduced their Crossover Series, featuring ski-streetwear hybrids, urban-inspired mountain jackets and sophisticated sporty tops.

Their Cole Valley Jacket is a prime example - a warm jacket packed with ski features, but styled with a modern, urban look. And the Eider Twin Peaks Jacket (above) is a reversible down jacket that packs into its own stuff sack: for the ultimate in versatility.

Italian company, CMP, is another brand following this trend. Launching this autumn, their Seventies Collection harks back to the vintage era; with 70s inspired colours and geometric patterns that look fun on the slopes, and a figure hugging fit that looks stylish in town. But despite the focus on style, CMP doesn’t scrimp on functionality with excellent waterproofness and breathability – perfect for the mountains.

Monochrome

In keeping with the trend for simple and streamlined; the colour palette of the clothes we choose has also been paired down.

Eider is choosing to focus on monochrome this winter. But this isn’t a nod to the black and white fashion fad we may recognise on the catwalk. Instead, their new Altitude Collection features technical, high performance garments in single, eye-catching colours, in a bid to make a sophisticated statement on the slopes.

Eider’s belief is that wearing one-colour results in a remarkable silhouette that highlights the sophisticated textures and fabrics used in their clothing.

You could even choose a Hydro Flask in a matching colour to rehydrate in style.

Technical

Thirdly and finally, our clothing continues to receive the technical treatment, as our love of gadgets filters into more and more of our lives.

Smith Optics is a brand that’s busy designing for the technical skier. Their newly launched ChromaPop lenses for ski goggles epitomise this trend. The interchangeable lenses filter light at two specific wavelengths to eliminate colour confusion to the brain; leading to enhanced visual clarity and greater definition, and the ability to see colours in a more natural state.

Smith’s Code Helmet also fits perfectly into this trend as it combines a minimalist aesthetic with Aerocore construction - a design that increases airflow and improves temperature regulation resulting in fog-free vision and better impact resistance. It’s achieved through a combination of materials, including Koroyd - a revolutionary new material that absorbs more energy upon impact when compared to international standards. On top of this, their new Wayfinder strap system featuring Fidlock is functional simplicity, making it easy to use one hand for on and off use, and the technical-knit liner provides beanie like comfort.

Even the zips on our clothing are experiencing a technical makeover. Eider’s Rocker Jacket for Men (above) features the revolutionary YKK Fix A Shape Zip - revealed after three years of engineering research and development. Its unique design enables skiers to break free from the constraints imposed by a rigid centre front zip by creating a cocoon around the chin and face. And it won’t limit the movement of the head, leaving ample room for facial hair. 

Leki is a brand to mention here as well. Their Vertex S Pole and S Gloves feature a patented pole-glove system that triggers in the event of a fall, releasing the hand from the pole. It’s an integrated technology solution that’s proven to reduce injuries. Using technology for safety’s sake.

And lastly, material manufacturers, Polartec, have well earned their place in this trend. Polartec Alpha fabric is a revolution in technical design. The DYNAFIT Mezzalama Polartec Alpha Jacket is an incredibly light and breathable jacket that’s also wind resistant, water repellent and abrasion resistant, featuring elasticated cuffs, stow pocket, thumbhole and reflector stripe.