Hiking It may not be your hobby of choice, but if you’re a keen observer of trend cycles, you’ve probably seen the remnants of the campground on the streets of New York, Paris, London and beyond. beyond. What could be the reason for all this nylon, North Face and generally practical clothing, you might ask? One word: gorpcore.

Gorpcore may be the latest in a succession of cores, but this aesthetic is truly rooted in utilitarianism, unlike some of its predecessors. Prioritizing comfort and functionality, the trend lends itself to many different occasions, including camping. And attend fashion week. And even though it may appear as a completely new “nucleus”, depending on Point correction stylist Gillian McHattie, gorpcore has been around for years.

“The outdoor aesthetic was born in the mid-2010s, as an evolution towards streetwear and the desire for a rugged, nature-inspired look,” she says. In style. The difference between gorpcore before and gorpcore today? The power of celebrity influence and social media to spread it to the general public.

“Gorpcore-inspired styles are now often included in runway collections and worn by influential celebrities such as Kendall Jenner And Bella Hadid“, says McHattie. “(And) with ‘gorpcore’ surpassing 1.3 billion views on TikTok, it’s no wonder more and more people are adopting this trend.”

What does “gorpcore” mean?

The word “gorpcore” was coined by The cut writer Jason Chen. “Gorpcore is not a fad for 1 in 7 billion, nor for 1 percent,” Chen wrote in 2017, “It is a feel-good, feel-good, feel-good fad for those who care a little too. The real word, however, comes from the acronym for “Good Old Raisins and Peanuts,” aka trail mix — you know, the popular snack of hikers and campers.

Why is “gorpcore” trendy?

This wave of fashion “cores,” aka mood board-inspired aesthetics, emerged during the pandemic. First, there was cottagecorefollowed by regencycore. Then came the fairy, Gothic, light university, dark university, school, balletcore, pearl core, mermaidcoreand of course, Barbiecore…one after the other in three years. Each had their own distinct style, but at their core, these phenomena shared a purpose: they were a form of escape from a time when life was bleak and seemed difficult.

Gorpcore, however, is cut from a different cloth. The “cores” mentioned above are fanciful, imaginative, and usually based on fictional worlds. Gorpcore is tough, active and down to earth, literally. It’s inspired by people who get up and get out of the house and explore real life instead of taking a mental break from everything beyond your four walls.

Stylist Allison Koehler calls it a “fortuitous bridge” between fashion and the comfort of our work-from-home uniforms (i.e. loungewear and sweatshirts), while Noam Ballondesigner at Basic space says that gorpcore is “less about the simple but practical clothing associated with it, and more about the actions they encourage.”

Of course, we can only give partial credit to these post-pandemic active lifestyles; Runway collections and brands offering these types of functional pieces also play a role. It was seen on the runways in 2017 via Fenty and Puma’s Spring/Summer 2018 collaboration, while Fashionista reported that there will be a new wave of gorpcore in 2023 thanks to collaborations like Reformation x Canada Goose, Dior x Birkenstock and Collina Strada x Melissa.

Gorpcore Staples

If you’re already an outdoor enthusiast, it’s more than likely that your wardrobe is full of gorpcore items. For homebodies and city dwellers who would rather channel the gorpcore aesthetic than head to a campground – no judgement! – these are the five must-haves for a gorpcore wardrobe.

1. Cargo pants: According to McHattie, cargo pants are to gorpcore what denim is to the everyday dresser: versatile and good to wear all year round. They are essential to achieve this look.
2. Hiking shoes: The must-have shoes for gorpcore dressers. “These can be versatile when worn with jeans, cargo pants, or even sportswear or a casual workout dress,” says McHattie.
3. Something from Sherpa: Devon Vanoostveen and Koehler, Merrell’s marketing director, agree that a sherpa-lined coat, jacket or hoodie is especially essential during the colder months, as the fleece will help keep you warm.
4. Technical jackets: While a sherpa shell will keep you warm, a technical jacket can protect you from many annoying weather conditions. They’re typically designed from different innovative fabrics that serve specific purposes, like combating wind chill or keeping you and your clothes dry in rain, sleet, and snow. According to McHattie, they’re also just as versatile to style as the other pieces on this list.
5. Beanies and bucket hats: Whoever said gorpcore was devoid of accessories was sorely mistaken. McHattie tells In style that “a warm beanie for the colder months or a bucket hat to protect you from the sun are great accessories that add a touch of outdoor charm to your look.” They’re casual, practical and versatile: gorpcore at its best.
6. Utility Accessories: Think carabiners, fanny packs, nylon hats, Croakies and wool socks. These types of additions reinforce the idea that your ensemble should above all be practical and comfortable.

How to style Gorpcore.

This may seem counterintuitive due to the aesthetic’s roots, but at least some effort is made to achieve a look that says “I look like I’m hiking, but actually I’m just trying to hail a taxi. However, the outfit should have the right balance between stylish and practical.

For example, for the cooler months, a celebrity stylist, Mickey Freeman tell In style that using layering techniques is a smart way to create a look that is both functional and multi-dimensional. For example, “using an obscure but luxurious wool balaclava and chunky knit scarf over a leather windbreaker and super loose nylon cargo parachute pants,” Freeman says, “will optimize the textures of each garment, while appearing ready to face all the trials of Mother Nature”. has in reserve.

Speaking of Mother Nature, McHattie says In style that it’s always best to consider the weather and the elements, with gorpcore outfit or otherwise. “When a sweatshirt isn’t enough on cold fall and winter days, I recommend a cozy fleece jacket layered with a lightweight t-shirt, flared leggings and chunky sneakers for your daily runs,” says- her about her ideal comfort. gorpcore look. “Put on a knit hat and you’ll be serving head-to-toe gorpcore!” »

Finally, even though gorpcore has become popular during the warm months, Jack Riewe, senior designer at Basic spacesays the trend may actually be easier to pull off in winter. “You can wear technical jackets all winter long, where they make sense, with Reese Cooper pants and Salomon (shoes),” says Riewe. In style. “It’s a simple and practical uniform.”