In recent years, ski fashion has undoubtedly risen in popularity.
Pinterest reported a greater than 12 times increase in searches for “après ski style” in 2022, and online marketplaces such as Depop shared that users looking for terms like “ski jacket” and “ski pants” had more than doubled. With après ski outfits trending and a return to timeless aesthetics, demand for skiwear has surged.
But skiwear doesn’t just affect the slopes. With major designers like Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci creating ski-inspired lines, this athletic wear is shaping winter fashion everywhere.
Though modern ski fashion seeks to blend alpine performance with high-end design, the clothes people wear to participate in the winter sport haven’t always stayed the same. To understand skiwear's influence on modern design, let’s take a look back at the evolution of ski style throughout the decades.
Early Skiwear
Though skis have existed since before the invention of the wheel, we’ll start with the early 1900s. During this time period, ski clothing was surprisingly more focused on fashion than function.
Pieces were modest and made from wool to keep in warmth, as that was the best material for trapping in heat available at the time. However, wool wasn’t the perfect choice as it absorbed water and weighed the wearer down.
The outfits worn were a far stretch from the sleek silhouettes of today, and instead consisted of heavy coats, knitted sweaters, and baggy pants to preserve heat.
Since skiing was a predominantly male sport at the time, women’s skiwear also featured long skirts and flamboyant hats, making outfits impractical for athleticism.
Skiers of the era sported dark colors, like blacks, browns, and grays, to stand out in the snow.
Although skiwear has come a long way from the bulky outfits of the past, we still see elements of this style in fashion today. Baggy silhouettes, cozy knits, and bold blacks remain ever-present in winter wardrobes.
Just take our black leather Grounder, for example. Its all-black detailing makes a statement and allows textural elements to shine. Paired with an oversized wool sweater and jeans, it makes a winter fit that’s both timeless and instantly eye-catching.
Shop The Grounder Black/Leather
A Cultural Revolution
Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, a cultural revolution began to take place.
After the First World War, attitudes about women’s fashion shifted significantly, forever changing skiwear. Female skiers began to incorporate pants into their athletic outfits as a more practical choice, and by the 1930s, ski pants for women were fully established as fashionable. Socialites like Princess Alexandra of Greece could now be seen at alpine ski resorts in form-fitting trousers.
During this time, silhouettes became more streamlined. In addition to changes in women’s fashion, designers also began attempting to create waterproof ski clothing.
With the opening of the first chairlift at the Sun Valley Resort in the 1930s, the skiing industry boomed as a recreational activity for the wealthy. Designated “ski apparel” emerged, with Saks 5th Avenue introducing the first designer ski wear during the depression in 1937. In 1924, the first-ever Winter Olympics were held in Chamonix, France, and European designers like Lucien Lelong, Egidio Scaioni, and Madeleine Vionnet soon began producing lines of two-piece pantsuits and knit accessories.
Clothing manufacturers began researching innovations to make skiwear more appropriate for the snow, and American fashion label Eddie Bauer created the first goose-down jacket in 1935.
Skiwear designers weren’t the only ones pioneering fashion technology during this era. This is also the time when our own founders created the signature Posture Foundation technology that makes our iconic canvas shoes so comfortable, durable, and supportive.
All in all, the 20s and 30s were an era of invention, improving performance among athletes and revolutionizing the fashion industry.
Mid-Century Modernization
As the economy boomed in the wake of World War II, so did skiing. Having surplus income, many turned to the winter sport as a leisure activity. As interest increased, ski fashion became more important than ever.
Throughout the 40s and 50s, many design innovations were made. Garments became lighter and more form-fitting.
Italian fashion designer Emilio Pucci introduced the one-piece ski suit in 1947, catching the eye of Harper’s Bazaar editor Diana Vreeland. The ski uniforms were published in a 1948 issue of the magazine, setting the trend for the time.
1950s manufacturers also began experimenting with lighter fabrics that could still retain heat. The introduction of polyester in 1953 led to more affordable ski sweaters, expanding the market.
In 1952, German designer Maria Bogner created the first stretch ski pants out of Helanca, a newly developed nylon fiber. By 1955, these ski pants could be purchased in a variety of bright colors, breaking away from the muted neutral tones of the past.
Celebrities again influenced alpine style, helping the Bogner pants grow in popularity. Marilyn Monroe, Ingrid Bergman, and the Shah of Iran all sported Bogners, and Henry Ford even ordered fifteen pairs, according to Ski Magazine.
It was during this time that the term “après ski” was coined, based on “after ski” in French. Clothing off the slopes became just as important, and people looked for fashionable pieces that combined purpose with put-together lodge style.
This mid-century desire for clothes that blend aesthetics and utility has lasted into the modern era. High-quality, contemporary designs, like our Grounder Collection, are created with heritage, durability, and thoughtful detail to both last and impress.
Space Age Skiers
Throughout the 60s and 70s, ski garments took inspiration from Space Age fashion. With Apollo 11 landing on the moon in 1969, silver lurex and vinyl could be spotted on the slopes.
Just as space heritage shapes ski fashion, it shapes the legacy of our sneakers. Astronauts on the Gemini II mission wore P.F. Flyers back in 1965.
1969 also brought the invention of spandex, introducing slim-fitting silhouettes to skiers.
1960s style was defined by puffer coats, brightly patterned sweaters, and stretch pants, while the 1970s saw fleece, fur, and technicolor hues.
Canadian fashion brands Canada Goose, Cougar, Kamik, and Sorel, also began integrating ski aesthetics into streetwear, bringing slope style to everyday wear.
These street-ready, ski-inspired pieces continue to shape fashion today. In 2024, Prada partnered with Aspenx to launch a line of designer puffers. For an easy streetwear look inspired by alpine style, try pairing our black and off-white Center high-tops with a bold puffer, baggy cargo pants, or even goggles.
Shop The Center Black/Sea Salt
80s, 90s, and Beyond
Shifting into the 1980s, the invention of Gore-Tex, a breathable, durable, and weather-proof fabric, shaped ski aesthetics. Pieces became even more lightweight.
Fluorescent neon snowsuits, geometric patterns and prints, and bold jackets paired with jeans dazzled on and off the mountainside.
These vivid colors continued into the 1990s, though snowboarding culture brought on a more relaxed, casual style. Wardrobes also continued to blend streetwear and skiwear, with brands like The North Face, Patagonia, and Columbia creating collections that merged on-the-slopes functionality with everyday winter wear.
Moving into the 21st century, looks continued to be shaped by snowboarding and pop culture. Neon colors were replaced with pastels and muted tones, and fitted trousers and warm jackets returned to ski resorts. Stylish accessories became staples, including hats and sunglasses.
Modern Day Ski Aesthetics
At the current moment, the focus in winter fashion is on a return to classic Americana. Inspired by the innovations of decades past, modern pieces seamlessly integrate performance-driven design with contemporary style.
Vintage ski style continues to shape the industry. Luxury fashion houses release annual ski capsule collections for holiday leisure. Chanel, for example, announced their Coco Neige 2025/26 Collection. Pieces blend heritage design with fashion-forward elegance, drawing inspiration from Gabrielle Chanel’s own passion for skiing in the early 20th century.
Today’s winterwear reflects both retro influences and cutting-edge advancements. Vintage inspiration coexists with sleek design. Color palettes tend to lean towards cozy beiges, off-whites, and jewel tones, embracing refined, classic aesthetics.
The evolution of skiwear has transcended past the mountainside and into everyday wardrobes. As you gear up for the season, make sure to pair your P.F. Flyers with timeless après ski aesthetics for an outfit grounded in throwback design and polished winter fashion. The warm beige of our taupe All-American Luxe or deep ruby and sapphire tones of The Varsity Classics Collection would make a great addition to any winter outfit. Or explore our Holiday Gift Guide to see our full lineup.
