Outdoors, But Make it Fashion
Outdoors, But Make it Fashion
Looking for style inspiration that works for an outdoorsy life.
Early in our relationship, I remember my now-husband ribbing me about my clothing choice for a day of climbing. My red cashmere sweater probably looked to him like I was dressing up, but to me it checked all the boxes for a day at the crag: Warm. Breathable. Wicking. Lightweight. Inexpensive, since it was from Goodwill. And—cue the teasing—it didn’t fit into the outdoor-industry “uniform” most Colorado climbers were wearing at the time. And really, that may have been the point.
I was young and broke, and climbing-specific clothes from expensive outdoor brands were mostly a pipe dream—but also, I felt a need to show there was more to me, that I wasn’t just a climber. That I thought about aesthetics, and wanted to express myself through how I dressed. Whether or not I actually looked cool is a whole different question. Since then, I started working in the outdoor industry, getting access to pro deals, and making more money. I’ve definitely collected more high-end and outdoor-specific clothing, but at my core, I still crave something a bit … different.
It’s easy, living an outdoor-centered life in a mountain town, to fall into the habit of wearing outdoor brands because they’re functional. And certainly there’s nothing wrong with that. When I ride my toddler to childcare in the morning and then to the library to work, I need clothes that move with me, keep me warm (or cool), and breathe and wick. Same when I’m meeting a friend for a “happy hour” hike. But I find myself still craving something beyond outdoor brand catalog fodder.
I’m inspired by countless different style icons, different ones each week, from Frida Kahlo and Georgia O’keefe to Steve McQueen, Tove Jansson and Diane Keaton. I don’t want to give up the idea of creative dressing just because it’s snowing out, or I I’m riding my bike somewhere, or might get sweaty or walk on a trail or muddy road. (Not to mention chase a toddler on a balance bike.)
I’ve been excited lately to find a growing number of people online sharing their hybrid styles—people mixing technical gear into higher fashion outfits and styling their outdoor days more creatively. Here are two of my favorite online follows that keep me inspired.
I had the pleasure of working with Terumi as a model and stylist when I was contracting with Outdoor Research, and I love seeing how she brings her personal style into her sports. She makes me feel like you’re never too old to play dress up. And you’re never too old to try new things. You can wear lipstick and rock climb. You can skateboard and wear cowboy boots. (She’ll also have you believing the most incredible clothes come secondhand and handed down from family.)
From pro skiers Hadley Hammer and Kellyn Wilson, the TOGS Substack often hits the nail on the head for me. Hammer and Wilson write about style inspiration and the practical details of dressing for mountain life, often highlighting sustainable brands and giving tips for secondhand shopping. A couple of my favorite posts have been “Fancify Your Mountain Outfits” and “Let’s Talk Sweaters.” (See: red cashmere for rock climbing.)
I know there are so many other outdoorsy folks out there mixing things up in interesting ways—I see them around town here in Montana, and hope they don’t mind me admiring their cool color combos and checking out their interesting textures and shapes. But I’d love to hear from you, my internet friends. Who are your style icons and inspirations, both current and classic? What works for you in your outdoor life?