When it comes to dismounting the gondola, the goal is to look a little Princess Diana in Klosters and considerably less Bridget Jones in Lech. Doing the ski shop can be daunting and expensive, though. The most important thing is getting it right on a practical front (can you move, are you warm? You’ll appreciate these things in a snowstorm more than the specific angle of your monochrome chevrons).
Thankfully the market is saturated with labels that do well to provide both style and function — and at varying price points. Before I get to the top new brands and hot collaborations to be seen whizzing down a black this season, a word of advice for first-timers initiating their ski cupboards: stock on good, simple essentials.
Then, time for the fun bit…. Plenty of these brands about. Leading the pack is Perfect Moment, however, the Chamonix label founded in 1984 by skier Thierry Donard. Having enjoyed a modern glow up, its all-in-ones are top of the range and are as sexy a look as you can muster on the mountain — perfect for après, in that case. New this season is a knitwear capsule, suitably “crafted with slope-to-après dressing in mind”, as well as eyewear. But it’s the burgundy star suit, £795, that you’ll be thrilled to slip into every season. Other top luxury labels well worth a look at include Cordova, Mackage, Goldbergh and, of course, Moncler.
If it’s not too cold, all you really need is a simple pair of black salopettes which you can find at Mountain Warehouse, £34, Trespass, £81.99, or the Nevica styles from Sports Direct, £25, which are all serviceable. It’s also always worth checking in TKMaxx for any time-sensitive bargains. Then any sturdy puffer coat or waterproof outer layer you have at home will do nicely — Gen Z will wear baggy hoodies under their Depop/Vinted Ralph Lauren and North Face styles. Cool snowboarders will pass on the coat, and stick just with the super-oversized hoodie.
