What is Gorpcore?
Gorpcore gets its name from an acronym. Gorp stands for 'good ol' raisins and peanuts', a trail mix that gives hikers the energy they need to keep hiking (and 'core' gets added to almost everything). The term was originally coined by Jason Chen for New York magazine's The Cut in May 2017. He was looking for a term that covered a style of clothing that had been around for some time. It was informally known as "camping chic", but that didn't capture the essence of it. Gorpcore is the ideal name, and it's about wearing utilitarian, functional, outdoors-inspired gear on the street as well as in the hills.
The pandemic helped this trend to take off. People all over the world couldn't wait to get outdoors and escape the restrictions once lockdowns began to lift. More people than ever were buying items like puffer jackets, and the trend has been going strong ever since.
The Rise of Gorpcore in Fashion
The fashion industry always likes to keep an eye out for the next hot trend, and when some of the big names began to notice what was happening they quickly jumped on board. Streetwear consumers were tempted to become Gorpcore devotees when they saw collaborations between popular brands such as Gucci and The North Face, Arc'teryx and Palace, and New Balance and Snow Peak. Popular names under the Gorpcore banner include Patagonia, And Wander, Salomon, Klättermusen, and Mountain Hardwear, among others.
In an interview with CNN, stylist Todd Johnson said, "Gorpcore is all about taking traditionally functional and utilitarian outdoor wear and using it in ways that go beyond their original purpose." People who embrace the gorp-core trend do so for assorted reasons, but some common benefits include comfort, practicality, and accessibility.
The gorp-core aesthetic involves taking items that were not designed to be fashionable, such as practical waterproof hiking boots, and styling them in a way that creates a fashionable look.
Perhaps part of Gorpcore's appeal to both the younger and the older generation is the appearance of readiness. We live in troubled times where wars between nations persist, and the climate crisis seems to grow more real by the day. We may not all live in conflict zones, but it could be that the world of conflict that consumers see on the news every night influences young and old alike to dress in ways that make them feel prepared for anything.
But it's not all doom and gloom, far from it. In late 2020, Canada Goose partnered with Chinese designer Angel Chen to create a vibrant capsule collection that blended traditional technical clothing with Eastern influences. The collection included parkas, convertible down jackets with detachable lower halves, wind and rainwear, and knits. This was a first for the brand in terms of fashion, and at the time of its launch, Woody Blackford, executive vice president of products at Canada Goose, said that the team drew inspiration from "distinct aesthetics that challenge us" and aimed to "reinterpret and reimagine our core design DNA through their eyes."
Other brands have also embraced the colorfulgorp-core trend through collaborations. We mentioned Arc'teryx, and it's a brand that's popular with rap stars like A$AP Rocky, who partnered with Jil Sander to create a capsule collection of mountain sports gear. Alessandro Michele of Gucci collaborated with North Face, drawing inspiration from its 1990s styles. These pieces were reimagined with Gucci's signature style, featuring colourful prints and the brand's iconic monogram.
The popularity of gorp-core and technical clothing suggests that practicality is here to stay as the world adapts to a new normal. Down-filled puffer jackets are a staple of the gorp-core trend, second only to fleece mid-layers in terms of popularity. Originally designed as the outermost layer for those facing wintry weather conditions, these jackets provide more warmth than is typically necessary for urban living. However, iconic styles like The North Face's Nuptse jacket are now just as likely to be seen on city streets as they are on mountain trails.
While down outerwear is common due to its excellent insulation properties (both natural and synthetic down provide exceptional warmth), it's not unusual to see down vests or lightweight down jackets paired with other outerwear. These pieces may be incorporated into a heavier outer shell as a removable inner layer or worn on their own. Although down offers the most warmth and insulation, it can do that for more than just outerwear.
The Retailer's Perspective
The gorp-core trend is good news for retailers at every price point. Normally when you stock outdoor jackets, you expect them to sell when the weather turns colder and wetter, but thanks to this ongoing trend, fashion-conscious buyers are interested in getting the gorp-core look even when the weather isn't so harsh, potentially extending the selling season to cover even the milder parts of the year.
The other benefit of this trend is that it naturally raises the psychological pricing of your goods. Luxury brands like Arc'teryx can charge hundreds for jackets, making the style of the items more desirable. This means that you can potentially charge more too.
Loto's Products and Services
LotoGarment is the perfect partner to help you take advantage of the gorp-core trend. The company manufactures high-quality padded jackets, hard shells, wind shells, parkas, waterproofs, and more. A cost-effective supplier that offers design and manufacturing expertise, an eco-friendly ethos, and a strong tradition of excellent customer service that has been delighting our retail customers for more than 20 years. Wherever you are in the world, we're your ideal, great-value supplier of premium quality outerwear.
Conclusion
Gorpcore has been around for more than five years now, but it looks set to remain a streetwear staple for many more years to come. Why not get in touch with us at LotoGarment today? Our friendly staff will be happy to discuss how we can help your retail business get the most from this ongoing trend.
