Lindsey Vonn all bundled up on the slopes. Photo: AFP/Getty Images
"It feels like with every passing year Bryant Park and Park City are getting closer and closer," says Chris Gougeon, senior designer for DROP, a technical accessories line.
Outerwear lines may be rooted in function, but, increasingly, designers are paying attention to the runways, as well. "Fabrics and textiles are driving our styles this season, by utilizing everything from traditional textures, plaids, tweeds and pinstripes to unique textured prints," says Katie Bedwell, senior product manager for women's outerwear at Burton. "You'll see watercolor and fine art inspiration, which is showing up in fashion, throughout the line this season."
Here's the latest on ski and snowboard outerwear trends:
- Fashion influences: "Progressive street styling, bold colors and innovative prints are big," says Burton's Bedwell. "The big trend we've seen is making outerwear look more fashionable," says Rob Myers, chief creative officer for Bond Outerwear, a sustainable snowboarding clothing company. "Using fashion elements in the designs presents a more sophisticated, refined look that works well on and off the mountain."
- Getting technical: The Burton women's line incorporates heated jackets, engineered downs, a full-range of fits and DRYIDE weatherproofing technology. Kelly Cooper, vice president of merchandising, design and product development for Athleta, says the latest snow sport outerwear trends are all about technical products with a feminine twist. "We're seeing a trend toward figure flattering seaming lines in technical fabrics, trims suitable for intense weather but attractive enough to hip up our pockets and zipper pulls, color that sets our styles apart from the rest and silhouettes that are nontraditional ski bodies."
- Going green: "We put a lot of emphasis on fabric selection this season," Myers says. "Since Bond is striving to be a carbon neutral company, we mainly used materials that have been, or can be, recycled. A significant portion of our product line consists of 75 percent recycled materials, although we do offer a few jackets where 98 percent of the materials used are recycled."
- Color story: "At DROP we're looking at tonal prints as well as patterns/textures created through sewing and multiple panels," says Gougeon. "Pastels have moved over for colors that have a bit more attitude and depth. Deeper purples, mustard yellows -- or Dijon, as we call it -- and magenta more than rose. Deeps are getting deeper, and brights are getting brighter."
- Make it versatile: "Lifestyles have evolved and become more mobile and more multi-functional," says Peter Kallen, design director for Nau, an environmentally friendly clothing company. "This might mean riding your bike to work and then looking good in the city, all in the same day. Many of the outerwear styles you'll see technical features like generous hood zips for variable weather conditions."'
