Gorpcore Fashion: How Outdoor Gear Became a Luxury Trend
Introduction: From Trail to Runway – The Unexpected Rise of Gorpcore
Imagine this: A Balenciaga puffer jacket (which, btw, is inspired by a North Face shell) costs 2,000 bucks and sells out in less than a few hours. In the meantime, the TikTok kids champion Arc teryx jackets as the latest Yeezys. What’s happening? Gorpcore- the style trend that is based on rough outdoor apparel has left the mountains and crept in high fashion.
Named originally as the anagram of “Good Ol Raisins and Peanuts” (A trail mix term), Gorpcore was function oriented, as in Patagonia fleeces and Salomon hiking boots. But now? It is a cultural movement out right. Technical fabrics are being turned into luxury brand names, streetwear icons are wearing hiking equipment as an accessory of style and even fashion shows on the runways include models dressed in Gore-Tex.
How then have we reached so far? And will this trend be sustainable or is another hyped up cycle? Okay, let us analyze it.
The Origins How The Outdoor Gear Became Mainstream
Gorpcore was not launched on a Paris runway, it emerged out in the hiking trails. The North Face, Patagonia and ArcTeryx among others developed a cult following based among adventurers who were less concerned with style than endurance. However, something changed in the vicinity of 2017.
Streetwear influencers such as A$AP Rocky started to wear Salomon trail runners when they are off duty. Out of the blue, technical equipment was not only cool to climbers, but to everyone. Lyst said Gorpcore keywords saw a 68 percent increase by 2020. It has been expedited by the pandemic when lounge wear started being indistinguishable between performance wear.
Real-World Example:
- Arc terx expects to grow its sales by 30 percent in 2022, and the impetus is city-dwelling buyers rather than hikers.
- The Patagonia brand attempted a negative ad campaign called Don t Buy This Jacket, which turned out to be a huge success and increased sales.
Luxury’s Takeover: Balenciaga, Gucci, and the “Performance Luxury” Shift
High fashion was not going to leave streetwear alone to enjoy itself. Demna of Balenciaga took the first shot, releasing a collab with The North Face including puffer jackets worth 1,295. They went out of stock immediately.
Gucci was not behind as it brought out hiking boots with shagged Vibram soles. Even the Genius line of Moncler ventured into Gorpcore, and now luxury brands recognize the utility wear as the new horizon.
Case Study:
- Balenciaga x North Face collection summed up more than $50M in weeks.
- Technical wool named Gucci Gucci balaclavas offended: Pro fashion or excessive?
Celebrity Influence: When Bella Hadid Wears Arc’teryx to Brunch
Gorpcore became a flex of celebrities. The viral stroll of Bella Hadid to Arc Hadid stroll had all-enhanced Arc Axis in NYC, and the resale frenzy was at peak. In the meantime, UTOPIA merch by Travis Scott included cargo pants and tactical vests- another boundary between music, street style, and over-the-road equipment undone.
It is not slowing down, as the #Gorpcore hashtag of TikTok has 1.2B views.
Expert Take:
- The irony of it is that it is a product of Luxury Gorpcore, which is spending a thousand dollars on jacket so you can resist the outdoors.
- To fashion journalist Alexandra Mondalek (Business of Fashion), in a sense, the show would be a pinnacle of sorts.
The Dark Side: Sustainability or Just Hype?
The trick is, Gorpcore originates in sustainability (recycled materials on Patagonia, repair opportunities on Arc teryx). Nowadays however, producers of fast-fashion such as Shein are ripping off the aesthetic with cheap imitations.
Key Conflict:
- The CEO of Patagonia also scolded luxury brands because they have been greenwashing performance wear.
- Data Point: 60 percent of Gen Z purchases Gorpcore as a fashion, and not performance item (Vogue Business Survey).
What’s Next? Chapter 1 Gorp-Glam and Beyond
The second step? The term Gorp-Glam is defined: Hiking boots, combined with silk dresses, or puffer jackets worn over tailored suits. There are rumors that Prada is soon going to introduce a luxury trekking line, whereas the smaller brands, such as And Wander, combine techwear and minimalism in design.
Future Prediction:
- This interest by LVMH in investing in outdoor startups are long term.
- Are virtual Gorpcore (digital NFT jackets) in the future?
Final Take: Is Gorpcore Just a Trend, or a New Fashion Era?
Gorpcore is not only fashion, but also a cultural transition. It shows how we have becomeának ready-for-anything aesthetics in anything that can only be considered as tough-looking on Instagram.
But the big question is this: Can it stick around or is the next big thing to come kill it off?
Your Move:
- On the hype buying? Or make use of the original outdoor brands?
- Leave a message–Do you think the Gorpcore trend is the future of fashion or are we going to forget about it like all other fads?
