You may recall that I am new to skiing, and thus whenever I travel to the mountains I feel a bit like a foreign exchange student visiting a faraway land. Everything is so new and different: the (dry, frigid!) air, the snow-blanketed terrain, and of course the frost-defying fashion. As you might expect, in addition to learning the art of getting down the mountain alive, I spend some time studying my surroundings, surveying the customs, and scouting for women with ski fashion mastered. From the proper way to carry your skis to what to drink apres ski to how to work a Michellin-man-like-jacket, there is much to learn. Last week I was in Vail, where on some mornings it was 20 degrees below zero. I was freezing, parched and, to be honest, a bit style challenged. Fortunately, I was at least in the game since while packing for my trip, I happen to find a Vogue story on Aerin Lauder, shot in Aspen (outtake above). It inspired me to bring some key items, including a fur trapper hat, like this, along with a bevy of cute print sweaters, similar to this and this. Being in Vail with my friend Annie, a French Canadian who grew up skiing in sub-zero temperatures, also advanced my cause. She ended up loaning me a warm puffy jacket, like this, that stood up to the cold (and the chicest girls on the chairlift lines), and her uber chic and summit-worthy Alexander McQueen wool turtleneck sweater prompted me to hunt down some lookalikes like this and this. She also gave me this lip gloss to keep my lips from getting crazy chapped. I am getting there, but am still a work in progress, so if you have any insidery styling tips for the ski-life, please let me know!
Photo: Francois Harland for Vogue
7 comments
I love skiing. I am not so fashion conscious when it comes to skiing. To me it is all about layers. I think these sweaters are beautiful, especially Alexandar McQueen turtleneck, and they work well after skiing. If you want to be warm and comfy, I suggest breathable layers. And helmet is a must for me ( I had a head concussion one year), even though I would love to ski in that fur hat. I guess I am not helpful...
My husband taught me to snowboard when we lived in CO and it took me the two years we were there to conjure a fashionable CO-approved wardrobe. My advice is sweat-wicking base layers (lululemon is great), fantastic cashmere sweaters, and GREAT boots. There are so many to choose from but Tory Burch, Pajar, and loeffler Randall are among my favorites. I also want to add that wearing your hair down always helps with the flattened helmet look, you can toss it around and try to give it some oomph. Hope this helps!
Love the looks you chose. My husband has taught skiing and snowboarding and always said that nothing looks less cool than a novice wearing the best gear. (We ski in France so looking uncool there really hurts!) So, while I was learning I wore borrowed ski-gear and spent my money on nice apres ski boots.
ugh.. yes, I live in a ski town, Jackson WY, and finding winter clothes that are chic is flipping hard! EVerything you wear is covered by your down jacket anyway. So, after 12 years, I buy a great jacket every year, for skiing or town, and great boots for tromping on ice and snow. I give in to the fashion on my ski clothes thou.... the really well fitting great stuff lasts just as long as the cheaper. it's a toss up. I'd love to see a post on great winter boots that work for city and slopes though! Thanks for all the great inspiration. xo
Thanks for all your suggestions. Heading back to the slopes--hopefully better attired this time--in February!
here's what I came up with :)
http://tiffanywendel.com/?p=2785
definitely lululemon or burton leggings as a first layer for warmth and then tons of sweaters. this year jcrew did a bunch of great fair isle prints that would be perfect for apres ski. just remember to get a warm warm warm jacket and as far as products go, nivea lip balm has saved me more times than i can count!
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