Your Guide To Gorpcore Fashion In 2022

It's time to pull out your puffer jackets, gorpcore continues to climb new sartorial summits.

Originally coined by New York Magazine’s The Cut five years ago, gorpcore continues to climb new sartorial summits in 2022. An acronym for the trail mix (‘Good Ol’ Raisins and Peanuts’) favoured by hikers the world over, gorpcore prioritises functionality and utility. First brought to the wider public consciousness by the high altitude stylings of Shia LaBeouf and A$AP Rocky in 2017, gorpcore has only surged in popularity, and is now adopted by anyone and everyone.

Gorpcore Origins
Firmly rooted in the history of mountaineering brands, like The North Face and Arc'teryx, gorpcore is proudly built for the outdoors. At its most philosophically straight-faced, gorpcore devotees will tell you that it’s a rejection of urban dwelling in favour of something more earthy and tactile. This is only further evidenced by the technically-oriented garments that have become inextricably tied to the movement.

Standout pieces like The North Face all-conquering retro Nuptse down jacket, Patagonia Snap-T Synchilla fleece pullovers, and pretty much anything from the Salomon footwear catalogue, help form the central tenets of gorpcore: rugged style, utility, and freedom of movement.

Images with thanks to Getty Images

The Evolution Of Gorpcore
Boasting a wardrobe full of material diversity and boxy silhouettes, another fundamental characteristic of gorpcore is its penchant for complex layering. Thermal bases, fleece mid layers, oversized puffer jackets, ripstop outwear, parkas, ponchos, backpacks, bum bags and bucket hats are all common accompaniments.

Despite being built on a ‘get up and go’ mentality, gorpcore devotees certainly aren’t afraid to experiment. There’s a healthy amount of sartorial appropriation since gorpcore's early days.

City dwellers and high fashion’s vanguard continue to pair uber-functional, tech-geared outerwear with lifestyle classics like the Levi’s 501 jeans and Converse Chuck Taylors. For women, we’re seeing athleisure brands, like L'urv, adopting the look with cropped puffer jackets styled with sporty crop tops. A tongue-in-cheek, deliberate sartorial anachronism, these outfits are often more likely to end up at a watering hole drinking almond lattes than beating a trail at Yosemite.

Nevertheless, it’s crucial to the broader formation of gorpcore that the trend evolves and migrates to new cultural frontiers, and helps deliver the pertinent political and environmental messages that form the backbone of the movement’s ideology.

@feliciathegoat

Gorpcore For The Future
OG gorpcore brands like The North Face and Patagonia continue to spearhead the environmental movement, so apparel designed for long-time durability and repairability is key. Particular signature pieces can bridge generations so recycling the trend (and all its components) year on year is a win for all. The style is ultimately timeless, so hopefully you've taken good care of your gorpcore investments because it's time to pull them out again and dress like you're heading to the mountains!

@feliciathegoat

It's never too late to join the gorpcore movement – find function, comfort and fashion in our range of puffer vests, tractor sole shoes, outdoor accessories and more.

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