Pistes have long been used as our snowy catwalks. Glamorous playgrounds where snow-capped mountains are speckled with individuals cocooned in colour puffers and faire ilse prints.
Until recent years, shopping skiwear has meant shopping from brands stepped in heritage with established reputations who specialise in producing technical gear for said sport. Today however we have an increasingly wide range of choice which has trickled down from the number of luxury brands sending snow and ski collections down the runway.
Snow-wear and sustainability
Thanks to the rise in resale and our increased awareness of fashions impact on the planet we can take to the slopes in style while being more sustainable.
Luxury resale businesses such as Luxury Exchange allow us to increase the lifespan of our wardrobe and indulge in high-end fashions for a fraction of the RRP. This business model is particularly great for ski-wear which has become more seasonal but often ends up hanging in the wardrobe awaiting its once a year trip.
Whether you are hitting the slopes yourself for some skiing or snowboarding, or if you are simply heading away for the vibes I’d like to show you how you can do it in style and more sustainably.
Below are some of my outfits from my recent trip to Madonna di Campiglio where I had the pleasure of snowboarding with my boyfriend and his family.
We were truly so lucky as Madonna di Campiglio had fresh snow along with blue sunny skies (BLISS). It is worth noting that conditions are not always that favourable and you may need to add more layers compared to what I detail below to protect yourself from the elements and to enjoy your time away.
My snow-sports wardrobe does not reflect that of a typical snowboarder however it still is functional and true to my own style. Personally I favour a more feminine silhouette and incorporate a lot of pre-existing pieces from my wardrobe. That is the joy of alpine dressing, you can express yourself however you like!
Now before I ramble further let’s take a look at some snaps shall we…
Airport Outfit:
When travelling I like to be comfy yet stylish. I usually opt for a more casual look and make sure my hair is always done to look and feel more put together.
Day 1 - Flower Bomb
Kicking off my ski style was this fun and floral ‘fit.
Starting with my base layers I used pre-existing pieces in my wardrobe along with technical wear to create this look. Instead of thermal leggings I opted for a lululemon align and layered a floral turtleneck over my thermal top to bring colour and print to my capsule ski-wardrobe.
To take this outfit to the slopes I added my salopettes, a chunky cable knit cardigan and jacket. (Along with my helmet, back brace, ski gloves, backpack and goggles)
This fabulous dusty rose therma puffer from Luxury Exchange allowed me to take this look from the slopes to Aprés Ski easily!
Style Tip - Use what you already have in your wardrobe to add points of interest to your outfit.
Also, this chunky cable knit was a purchase back in lockdown and happens to fit perfectly under my jacket giving the illusion of a fur trim. Get inventive but keep ease of movement in mind.
Outfit 2 - Eyes on the
Starting out with an all black base with my Uniqulo Extra-Warm HEATTECH thermal and lululemon leggings I added this printed mesh bodysuit.
In my backpack was a lightweight fleece for after lunch which came in handy as temperatures dropped.
Style Tip - Technical skiwear is difficult to alter due to the fabric so I opted for a pair of braces which kept my trousers from falling down as they were too big on the waist. Another option is to have a seamstress add belt loops to your trousers and get a soft and stretchy belt from your local outdoors shop.
Outfit 3 - A Monochrome Moment
Day 3 of our 4 day trip, I decided to keep it clean and classic with this Uniqlo Ultra Warm HEATECH thermal (I sized up in this one, if you are purchasing stick to your normal size) and some black accessories.
Style Tip - Accessories can truly elevate your look from practical to “it’s giving alpine glamour”. These braces and headband do not break the bank and are both cute and functional.
Also, a hat along with soft gloves or liners are great to have in your backpack on the mountain. They not only keep you warm they also tame chronic helmet hair so you can enjoy aprés in style.
Outfit 4 & 5- Sustainable & Chic
These next few pics feature some of the fab pieces available from Luxury Exchange. A chic and cosy blavy moment was had in this Canada Goose puffer while this peach Acne Studios blanket scarf added a pop of colour and some much needed comfort when travelling home.
Both items are available to purchase now from Luxury Exchange.
Evening Looks
While I didn’t get to photograph most of my dinner/evening looks, I did get a few shots featuring this scrupulously soft sweater from Luxury Exchange. Originally from Love Shack Fancy it is available to purchase now from Luxury Exchange.
For this look I wanted to keep it casual and play textures, keeping it soft and bright. I paired this fab jumper with pre-loved Isabele Marant corduroy trousers, a pre-loved Kooples coat, and accessorised with some ear muffs.
Style Tip - Textures can really set the tone for your look, taking it from day to night. Think light layers like a silk blouse paired with a rich textured trouser.
Restaurants often have heating so knitwear can become quite warm however are handy for evening walks.
Thank you so much to Cait for giving me the opportunity to share some of my ski-style on what will no doubt become one of the most stylish blogs in Cork. Hopefully it provides you with some value and if you are heading to the slopes this season enjoy every moment of it! 
You can find me on Instagram and TikTok at lonefashionwolf
Love,
Amy
x
Just a quick parting note...
For those of you who are just starting out and heading on your first trip here are the things that I think are worth investing in. Before you buy just remember that borrowing or renting ski/snowboarding gear is a fantastic sustainable option.
What to invest in:
- Thermals, Uniqlo HEATTECH are the best investment in my opinion.
- Ski/Snowboarding Socks, more important than you think (I was recommended by my instructor to opt for a slightly thinner thermal sock when snowboarding and slightly thicker when skiing)
- Salopettes (Ski pants)
- Jacket that is warm, waterproof and technical
- Googles
- Gloves or Mittens, waterproof and technical
- Snow-boots
- Helmet, worth purchasing if you are a regular but you can always borrow or rent
*This is not a full list of everything you need just what I believe are worth investing in for the activity when you start out *
Safety is key on the slopes so be sure to wear a helmet. For snowboarding in particular I have gloves with wrist gaurds and also rented a back-protector this year which I found very comforting to have.
