MOUNTAIN STYLE ESSENTIALS FOR WINTER
Kendra Dresser
Mountain style comes alive through ski boots, snowboard fashion, and ski masks, defining how we move, perform, and express ourselves on the slopes.
Mountain style
Ski and snowboard fashion didn’t start as a trend. It developed from the needs of the terrain, weather, and the physical demands of snow. Since alpine travel became popular in the twentieth century, skiers and snowboarders have created a shared style focused on protection, freedom, and movement.
Today, mountain style reflects intention rather than excess.
Sunglasses As Essential Protection
Ski masks shield your eyes on the slopes, but sunglasses are just as essential, perfect for soaking up the sun at lunch or enjoying après-ski in style. Snow amplifies glare, and UV rays intensify at higher altitudes, making eye protection critical for both skiers and snowboarders.
Burberry’s ADV BE4478 aviator sunglasses from the Autumn/Winter 2025 collection combine style and sustainability. Made from bio-based acetate with a polished metal core engraved with the Equestrian Knight, they merge heritage and modern design.
Meanwhile, Dolce & Gabbana’s DG Marlene sunglasses, featured in the Fall/Winter 2025 campaign, bring the brand’s iconic style to the slopes. Tubular temples are inspired by the Marlene bag clasp and feature delicate metallic details with the elongated logo.
These sunglasses protect the eyes while making a subtle cultural statement.
Skis And Snowboards As Expressions Of Discipline
Skis and snowboards shape how bodies move across snow. However, they also express discipline, attitude, and intent.
Lacroix LXR Full skis come from a long tradition of French alpine design. They focus on control, balance, and precision, so performance feels steady and deliberate.
Meanwhile, Snowboard culture often favours fluidity and improvisation. This difference influences how equipment is perceived across the mountain. yet both skiing and snowboarding value quality, precision, and technical performance on the slopes.
Best ski masks to wear on the mountain
Visibility defines safety. However, goggles also communicate a person’s identity within ski and snowboard culture.
Rendel Paris works with Shaun White to combine performance and style. White’s experience in snowboarding, skateboarding, and freestyle sports shapes a look focused on movement. As a result, the ski masks show individuality while still being functional.
Bottoms That Shape Movement
Mountain trousers must insulate, stretch, and endure, but the silhouette still communicates restraint.
Founded in 1979, Duvillard perfected alpine fashion with the iconic fuseau ski pant. Designed to sculpt the body while supporting movement, it evolved alongside competitive skiing and après-ski culture. Over time, stretch fabrics became the main style, letting form and function coexist.
Today, the fuseau remains a reference point rather than a relic.
Layers That Work on the mountain
Layering is key for comfort and performance. Base layers wick moisture, mid layers trap heat, and outer layers shield against wind and snow.
Jumpers or fleece pullovers make ideal mid layers. Lightweight yet insulating, they allow freedom of movement while keeping skiers and snowboarders warm. Technical fabrics like merino wool and thermal blends have replaced heavy, restrictive materials, so layers no longer sacrifice style for function.
Layering also allows personal expression. Colours, textures, and cuts convey personality while maintaining performance. Therefore, versatile layers are both practical and subtly stylish.
Ski Boots Built For Ease And Endurance
Comfort determines endurance on the mountain. Ski and snowboard boots must support performance without unnecessary complexity.
Nordica’s HF hands-free ski boots’ main focus is ease of entry while maintaining responsiveness and control. Therefore, innovation serves physical experience rather than dominating it.
Ski and snowboard fashion
Mountain style resists spectacle. It values clarity, restraint, and purpose shaped by terrain and movement. When ski and snowboard essentials align with thoughtful design, winter identity becomes quiet rather than performative.
True mountain style does not announce itself. It simply endures.
Credits
Burberry & Dolce and Gabbana sunglasses, Lacroix ski equipment, Rendels Parisx Shaun White. ski mask, Duvillard for fashion, Nordica Ski Boots
For more, please continue reading below or visit our IRK Magazine homepage
Share this post
Kendra Dresser is in Communications and Public Relations with a focus on how fashion, media, and culture shape the way we see the world and ourselves.
She’s interested in the connection between image and meaning: how a campaign, an outfit, or a trend can say something deeper about identity, mood, and the cultural moment.
She’s especially drawn to how Generation Z uses fashion and beauty to express individuality, often in bold, layered, and playful ways. She’s also curious about how social media continues to reshape storytelling, changing how we create, share, and connect through visual culture.
To Kendra, fashion is more than just style; it’s a language! One that reflects who we are, how we feel, and what we stand for. She’s committed to sustainability and believes fashion and culture should not only inspire but also respect the planet.
Read Next
