Waterproof, versatile, warm, weather-resistant, breathable – not to mention stylish – skiwear has to work very hard to earn its place in a winter sports wardrobe. Never has an item of clothing had so many demands placed on it, and no one knows this better than Dan Firth.
? ?“For me ski wear is some of the most important items of clothing you will ever own,” says Dan, co-founder of SkiBoutique. “It needs to keep you warm in some of the most extreme weather conditions your body will ever face. It needs to be practical, hardwearing, and make you look great on the slopes.”?
?Thankfully, there are lots of British luxury brands lining up to do just that. One of our favourites is the high-end sportswear brand Lucas Hugh, whose high-performance thermal pieces mean that despite the cold you won’t be compromising on style as you whoosh down those black runs. They will also take you effortlessly from ski lift to dinner table. We particularly like Lucas Hugh’s Highline Base Layer - a lightly fleece-lined, long-sleeved running top, £190, which has a surf-inspired stand collar and back zipper, tapered waist and a body-skimming cut to complement the female physique. As a base layer or worn alone, it’s perfect for all types of winter sport, and with its softly textured lining and concealed mitten cuffs is bound to keep you cosy on the slopes. There’s also high-visibility back seam detail and ventilating pinhole mesh panels under the arms, chest and lower back to give you optimum functionality when you need it most. (www.beyondbespoke.co/lucas-hugh)
? ?When it comes to keeping little snow bunnies warm and stylish, another luxury British brand, AlexandAlexa, has it covered. Hailed as the Net-A-Porter for under 14 year olds, its Ski & Snowboard Shop has specialised, technical brands that will kit the kids out in style, from ski jackets to snow boots and goggles, gloves and hats.
“This season's skiwear is all about bold and bright,” says AlexandAlexa’s Tania Long. “Molo has gone wild for animal prints, as well as luscious Alpine landscape jackets and trousers, while classic styles at Poivre Blanc and Canada Goose are updated in vivid hues of fuchsia, emerald green and brilliant blue, and Perfect Moment has a stylish selection of polar-bear prints and candy cane stripes.”
And let’s not forget the all-important junior accessories. Whether it’s a pair of retro moon boots, novelty beanies adorned with fur pom pom and shearling trims from Barts and Animal, they are a practical way to add that fun finishing touch on the slopes. We have a particular soft spot for this Headztrong leopard ski helmet cover from AlexandAlexa, £40. (www.beyondbespoke.co/alexandalexa)
Extreme skiers, on the other hand, need clothes that are specifically designed to suit the demands of heli skiing and off-piste treks, and the Peak Performance Heli Gravity GORE-TEX® ski trousers, £390, fromNet-A-Porter are about as high-tech as they come. Constructed with three layers of GORE-TEX®, making them virtually impenetrable to rain and snow, they also have articulated knees, ventilation zips and gripped cuffs which make them an essential for adventure seekers.
Whatever you’ll be wearing this year, whether you’re hitting the slopes in Chamonix or racing down a snowy Aspen mountain, make sure you have the essential ski gear to stay warm and look great.
If you would like more information on any of these brands or would like further information about Beyond Bespoke, visit www.beyondbespoke.com