What is gorpcore style: the history of the trend and how to wear it

A Top Manager's Puzzle: When Pragmatism Wins Over Dress Code

Last fall, a client, the managing partner of an investment fund, approached me in Zurich. Her request sounded like a stylistic conundrum: "Julia, I ride my e-bike to the office in the rain, but twenty minutes after parking it, I need to look impeccable for a board meeting. And no, I won't change in the restroom." It was then that I realized that utter pragmatism had finally and irrevocably defeated the traditional dress code.

If you've ever searched for " What is gorpcore style? ", then the answer lies precisely in this everyday situation. We no longer need things that look good only when static in front of a mirror. We need armor for life in the big city. We've already discussed the basic principles of integrating such things in more detail in our The complete guide to incorporating outdoor into your urban wardrobe , and today we'll examine the anatomy of this trend from the perspective of smart investments.

Gorpcore: What It Is and How Outdoor Music Took Over the Streets

The term GORP is an acronym for "Good Ol' Raisins and Peanuts." It's what American hikers call their favorite hiking snack. The word was first used in a fashion context by journalist Jason Chen in his article for The Cut in 2017. He noticed a strange anomaly: New Yorkers began wearing Patagonia fleece jackets and hiking boots as if they were planning to conquer the cliffs of Yosemite, not Manhattan.

Over 12 years of working as a stylist in European capitals—from Copenhagen to Berlin—I've observed how the pace of life has changed. Micromobility (scooters, car sharing, bicycles) has necessitated a new uniform. You can't ride an electric scooter in a tight wool coat—it'll just get a draft on your neck. Radical comfort has become the new luxury.

"Gorpcore isn't about being a jock. It's about realizing that your time and comfort are worth more than convention."

From the Mountains to the Catwalk: How Gear Became Luxury

For a long time, mountaineering clothing was considered purely utilitarian. But then the rules of the game changed. According to The Lyst Index report for 2023 and early 2024, brands like Salomon and Arc'teryx consistently outperform traditional fashion houses in search volume and desirability.

Boundaries have been blurred by high-profile collaborations. When we saw Gucci x The North Face, the minimalist masterpiece of Jil Sander x Arc'teryx, and the avant-garde MM6 sneakers of Maison Margiela x Salomon, it became clear: outdoor had gained entry into high society.

Today, the dead Archaeopteryx logo (the Arc'teryx symbol) functions as a status symbol no less than the Louis Vuitton monogram. It's a kind of "quiet luxury" for those who understand that someone wearing an 800-euro jacket that can withstand a storm in the Alps likely values technology over fleeting trends.

The Anatomy of Gorpcore: What's Really Worth Investing In

I always teach my clients to think in terms of cost-per-wear. Let's do the math. You can buy a trendy raincoat from a mass-market store for 150 euros. It will get soaked in the first heavy rain, lose its shape after dry cleaning, and you'll wear it maybe 15 times a season. Total: 10 euros per outing.

Or you could invest €450 in a high-quality hardshell jacket. You'll wear it over a sweater in the fall, as a top layer over a down vest in the winter, and under a T-shirt in the spring. Over three years, you'll wear it at least 300 times. Total: €1.50 per outing. The math of an investment wardrobe is merciless to fast fashion.

Hardshell jackets and technical fleece

The difference between cheap nylon and a real three-layer membrane (such as Gore-Tex Pro) is colossal. Cheap polyurethane coating creates a greenhouse effect—you won't get wet from the rain, but you will from your own sweat. A real membrane works like skin: micropores keep water droplets out but allow vapor to escape from the inside.

Stylist's advice: When buying a hardshell, always size up. A proper gorpcore jacket should allow you to easily layer a structured jacket or oversized cashmere sweater underneath without restricting your shoulder movement.

Hiking Shoes in the City: Balancing the Ugly and the Beautiful

The phenomenon of Salomon XT-6 sneakers or boots from the Italian brand Roa lies in their aggressive functionality. Deep tread, Kevlar threads, and the Quicklace system all create a powerful visual accent. In the city, such shoes serve as a statement: "I'm firmly on my feet."

The biggest mistake newbies make: how to avoid looking like a tourist in a big city

Here I must say something that the glossy magazines are silent about. The biggest misconception is that to create a gorpcore look you need to go to a tourist store and dress from head to toe. This is a fatal mistake.

If you wear hiking boots, a fleece jacket, cargo pants, and a duffel bag all at once, you won't look like a fashion influencer. You'll look like you got lost on your way to Everest Base Camp and accidentally stumbled into a specialty coffee shop.

The golden rule of a stylist: play on contrasting textures

True, high-end gorpcore is built on extreme contrast. We take a high-tech piece and juxtapose it with something delicate, classic, or decidedly luxurious. Here are my three favorite formulas:

• Formula 1: A technical, rustling hardshell jacket + a flowing silk midi skirt + leather boots with a sturdy heel. The rough, matte texture of the membrane beautifully highlights the sheen of the silk.
• Formula 2: Smart wool trousers with a crease + a thin cashmere turtleneck + Salomon trekking sneakers. Perfect smart casual for the creative industries.
• Formula 3: Classic double-breasted coat + nylon sling bag + fleece vest worn in place of a classic suit vest.

Capsule Integration: A Step-by-Step Plan for Outdoor Implementation

To avoid buying up half the travel store in a fit of enthusiasm, start with one statement piece. Outdoor brands often use complex, natural shades (moss, graphite, terracotta) or, conversely, signal colors (neon orange, electric blue), which were originally used by rescuers to locate climbers.

If your basic wardrobe consists of beige, gray, and black, a bright orange Arc'teryx windbreaker will be the perfect pop of color to tie the whole look together.

And to understand in advance how a new technological item will fit into your everyday looks, I strongly recommend using the virtual fitting room feature in the MioLook app You simply upload photos of your trousers and skirts, add a potential purchase, and the AI stylist will show you whether the contrast magic I described above will work.

Gorpcore and business style: is outdoor acceptable in the office?

Returning to my client from Zurich, how did we solve her problem? We found her the perfect pantsuit made of fine Italian wool, and on top, to protect her from the rain and wind during her commute, she wore a long, minimalist Gore-Tex parka in a deep navy blue.

But there's a key limitation here that's often overlooked by tech-bros (Silicon Valley tech entrepreneurs). Gorpkor only works up to the doors of the meeting room.

The rules of modern business etiquette dictate that you can wear hiking shoes and a rain jacket to the office, protecting your expensive suit. But once you remove your outerwear, impeccable tailoring should remain underneath. The only exception is minimalist hiking shoes in monochrome colors (all black or gray), which are now acceptable in offices with a business casual dress code.

Gorpcore style teaches us an important lesson: clothes should serve us, not us, the clothes. By investing in technical fabrics, you're buying more than just a jacket or sneakers. You're buying the freedom to not have to check the weather forecast before leaving the house and the confidence that your look will remain flawless, even in the pouring rain.