part 2: the evolution of après-ski fashion through the decades of style

picture this:

you've zipped down the mountain for your last run, your cheeks are pink and cold, maybe you went a little too fast, your legs are sore but you're giddy and loving every minute of it

now you're ready to head straight to your car and trade your ski boots for something a little more comfortable cuz you're going to meet up with some friends after at the local bar

but here's the thing...

are you showing up in your ski jacket and base layers, or did you plan ahead and have something cute and funky to throw on instead of your boring mid-layer because what you wear after the slopes matters almost as much as what you wore on them (well maybe that isn't true, but you get what I mean)

luckily you have some clothes in the back of your car to switch with your ski jacket; you planned ahead, threw in your fav discoball back | crop hoodie and matching discoball pompom | toque for some extra oompf - when you say disco-ball, you mean Disco-Ball baby!

welcome to the world of après ski fashion, where cozy meets chic and mountain culture gets a serious style upgrade

🏔️

from the glamorous ski lodges of the 1950s where fur coats and cocktails reigned supreme, to today's elevated streetwear-meets-mountain aesthetic, après ski fashion has evolved into something far beyond "just staying warm." 

it's become a full-blown movement that celebrates confidence, comfort, and that unbeatable feeling of unwinding after an epic day on the mountain

 

so grab your favourite hoodie (we recommend one with some serious mountain vibes 😉), settle in by the fire, and let's take a journey through the decades to see how après ski fashion became the iconic style statement it is today ✨

because if there's one thing we know for sure, it's that looking good never goes out of season - even at 7,000 feet

🎿

1930s: vogue discovers the slopes ✨

when vogue magazine began featuring ski fashion in the 1930s, they weren't just showcasing clothes - they were selling a dream!

elegant ski wear and après-ski attire became the height of sophistication, with hollywood starlets and socialites making the slopes 'their new runway'

early vogue ski coverage portrayed skiing as an exclusive, glamorous pursuit for the social elite, with detailed spreads on what to wear both on the slopes and in the lodge afterwards. think katharine hepburn's athletic elegance translated to the mountains - strong, sophisticated, and utterly chic.

these editorial features helped establish skiing - and après-ski - as aspirational lifestyle activities in north america, making every fashionable woman want to trade her city heels for ski boots (at least for the weekend!) 🎿

1940s-1950s: post-war ski boom meets hollywood glamour 🌟

after world war 2, skiing became more accessible to middle-class americans, but it was the celebrities who made it absolutely irresistible!

the 10th mountain division veterans, trained in alpine warfare, returned home and helped develop ski resorts across north america - aspen (1946), vail (later in 1962), and whistler blackcomb (1960s-1980s). they brought with them european alpine traditions, including après-ski culture - and hollywood came running!

the stars who made it sparkle: marilyn monroe was photographed skiing in sun valley, idaho, looking absolutely radiant in fitted ski pants and cozy sweaters. audrey hepburn brought her signature elegance to the swiss alps, proving that après-ski could be as refined as any red carpet moment. and grace kelly? she practically invented alpine glamour, gliding through st. moritz in perfectly coordinated ensembles that made every woman want to book a trip to the mountains immediately! 💫

1950s: the birth of alpine glamour

bogner defines the aesthetic willy bogner sr. and his brand bogner established the gold standard on ski fashion, and defined the era with tailored ski pants, form-fitting sweaters, and elegant silhouettes that transitioned seamlessly from slope to lodge

for ski fashion in the 1950s, creating that iconic elegant fit defined both slope and après style. this european influence shaped how north americans approached ski fashion, making après-ski attire as important as performance gear, and making the whole pastime an a sophisticated affair.

women wore cinched-waist ski suits and fur-trimmed parkas, while men sported sleek knit sweaters and fitted trousers - skiing became synonymous with luxury and european elegance - think grace kelly gliding through st. moritz in perfectly coordinated ensembles

1960s: mod meets mountain and après goes mainstream 

ski resorts proliferated across north america, and après-ski culture became 'democratised'

what was once exclusive to the wealthy became accessible to a broader audience. ski towns developed their own après scenes - from aspen's sophisticated lounges to whistler's laid-back mountain bars

the swinging sixties brought bold patterns, geometric prints, and a more playful approach to ski fashion. après-ski style embraced bright colours, go-go boots that worked in snow, and those iconic space-age influences ✨

pucci prints made their way onto the slopes, and the après scene became more youthful and experimental

chunky turtlenecks became the ultimate layering piece - perfect for transitioning from the slopes to the lodge without sacrificing style. mini skirts with thick tights brought city fashion to the mountains, proving you could be both warm and chic. colourful headbands kept hair in place while adding that perfect pop of mod style.

this was the era when skiing shed its stuffy, exclusive image and became genuinely cool - young, accessible, and full of personality. the après scene buzzed with energy as a new generation discovered that mountain style could be fun, experimental, and totally their own.

get the look today: channel that 60s mod mountain vibe with our find your wild | staple tee - it's got that same adventurous spirit with a modern twist

pair it with your favourite jeans and a chunky scarf for instant après-ski cool 🌈

1970s: james bond makes it iconic in the jet set era

the 1970s cemented après-ski as the ultimate lifestyle aspiration. "the spy who loved me" featuring roger moore in that legendary yellow ski suit brought ski culture - and by extension, après-ski style - into global pop culture consciousness, cementing its place in north american imagination, and making ski fashion a global phenomenon.

the era was all about bold statements - flared ski pants, platform boots, oversized sunglasses, and those incredible knit sweaters with geometric patterns

the a-frame ski bum aesthetic emerged, celebrating a more laid-back, bohemian mountain lifestyle.

moon boots became iconic - those puffy, space-age snow boots that were equal parts functional and fashion-forward. après-ski meant sheepskin everything, denim with fur trim, and that perfect blend of disco glamour meets mountain casual.

 

1980s: distinctly north american après - neon, one-pieces, and maximum energy

if the 70s were bold, the 80s were explosive. whilst honouring european roots, north american après-ski developed its own character - more casual, more inclusive, and more diverse.

whistler, aspen, park city, and other resorts created unique après cultures that blended european tradition with north american informality. the key difference? european après-ski maintained its formal, elegant character, whilst north american après embraced everything from high-end lodge dining to ski-boot dancing on picnic tables - celebrating the full spectrum of mountain culture 🏔️

neon colours dominated the slopes and the après scene - electric pink, lime green, and bright yellow one-piece ski suits became the uniform.

this was the era of excess: leg warmers over ski boots, headbands worn indoors, geometric patterns on everything, and that shiny, almost metallic fabric that caught every light. 

après-ski fashion embraced athletic wear as lifestyle wear - tracksuits, windbreakers, and those iconic striped sweaters. the vibe was high-energy, unapologetically loud, and absolutely unforgettable.

 

1990s: grunge hits the mountains

the 90s brought a more relaxed, anti-fashion approach to après-ski. oversized flannel shirts, baggy jeans, and chunky boots replaced the fitted glamour of previous decades.

brands like the north face and patagonia became après staples, prioritising function and authenticity over flash.

this was the snowboarder era - beanies, hoodies, and that effortlessly cool mountain town aesthetic - and the skinny, long skis of the past were replaced with phat skis shaped like twin-tip snowboards. 

après-ski became less about dressing up and more about genuine mountain culture.

fleece, puffers, and that early athleisure aesthetic layered in - the era when performance wear became a lifestyle! ✨

 

2000s: technical meets trendy

the new millennium saw technical fabrics and performance wear infiltrate everyday après style. fleece became fashionable, puffer jackets were everywhere, and athleisure was born.

this era blended the functionality of the 90s with a return to more fitted, flattering silhouettes. brands like lululemon proved that performance wear could be stylish, and the après scene embraced this hybrid approach.

2010s-present: vintage revival and sustainable style

today's après-ski fashion is a beautiful mashup of all these eras

there's a strong vintage revival - 70s moon boots are back, 80s one-pieces are collectable, and that retro ski aesthetic is everywhere 

in today's après, retro discoballs sit right next to 90s moon boots and 80s faux fur looks great paired with 60s maxi skirts and thigh-high boots, the key is balance and wearing what makes you feel best

but it's filtered through a modern lens that prioritizes sustainability, inclusivity, and authentic mountain lifestyle.

modern après style celebrates individuality - you might see someone in a vintage bogner sweater paired with modern sustainable, merino wool base layers, rocking some retro moon boots with 70s farrah faucet big hair and even bigger sunglasses

 

the focus has shifted to quality over quantity, timeless pieces over trends, and fashion that honours both mountain heritage and environmental responsibility.

the common thread through all these eras?

après-ski fashion has always been about celebrating mountain culture, expressing personality, and but understanding that what you wear after the skiing does not matter as much as what you wear on the slopes - being able to ski