Gear as Fashion Statement

[liquidfeet]

Have you ever been embarrassed by your perfectly adequate and beloved old skis/boots/poles/helmet/jacket/goggles/etc because they tell their age? Do you ever worry about looking behind the times, clueless, or underqualified because your gear is older than that of others? Does this feeling ever prompt you to get new stuff, even if you don't functionally need it?

Now that I am getting more familiar with the look of new and older gear, I can finally tell the age of stuff. My beloved skis are looking older every week to me, given the shape of the tips and their width compared to what people are buying today. My jacket doesn't look like a real ski jacket. No way am I going to be influenced by this. But a little voice has been whispering in my ear that I am one of the ones without (oh dear!) new gear. I have new boots, because I had to get them, and people complement me on them (why????)

Clearly the manufacturers do everything in their power to convince us that we need new gear, even when we don't. How susceptible are you to the draw of being a fashionista on the slopes?

 

[skigrl27]

Fashionista? - no.

Addicted to buying new gear even when absolutely unnecessary - oh yes!!

Skis change. Technology is newer, better, more bad ass with each passing year. So when I buy new skis it's because I want the newest & best stuff. I ski. I spoil myself on my gear because 1) I can and 2) it's the one thing in life I truly love and I'm not holding back!

Jackets, pants, etc. - they keep ya warm or they don't. Now...if you're seriously totin' around the slopes in a neon one-piece, we may need to talk.

 

[Gloria]

You need to spend some time at a smaller area in the northwest, as opposed to a resort. Then you feel out of place if your equipment is all new. Updating one piece at a time is okay, but it's kind of embarassing to have everything new. You gotta try to space it, we still abide by the it's the driver not the car mentality in some parts. Older equipment can be a status symbol to some. So see it's just a matter of perspective. Keep what you are happy with, replace what's broken, you'll be fine in the grand scheme of things.

 

[Jilly]

Addicted to buying new gear even when absolutely unnecessary - oh yes!!

- I want to be!

Jackets, pants, etc. - they keep ya warm or they don't. Now...if you're seriously totin' around the slopes in a neon one-piece, we may need to talk.

- agree there too.

liquidfeet - I changed skis a couple of years ago because I thought that mine were too straight compared to the new stuff. C-9 Atomic to my Z5 Rossis. And my skiing has improved too. But anything else is when its broke, doesn't fit, not warm enough (goes to a another place in the closet) or really out of style. I bought a new helmet this year because I didn't like the way the old one fit. I usually work on 1 major purchase/season. Last year suit, this year boots, next year skis (only because it will be 150 days on the poor Z's). It rotates yearly.

 

[ISki]

Heh. You think your skis are out of date? Come and ski with me!

Don't care about what people think of my skis or my boots. Let 'em laugh. I'm laughing myself straight to the liftline.

Clothes are different. I dumped my frumpy stuff a few years ago, bought new & pretty, and never looked back. They are the best clothes in my closet.

 

[Telluride Ski Babe]

Actually, I'm embarrassed my boots and two pairs of my skis match! It looks 'on purpose,' but believe me, it's not. Some of my friends give me grief about it, but it's all in fun!

 

[alta_gal83]

Needless to say, I'm totally making a fashion statement this year, and I'm okay with that. But, my gear does get used heavily throughout the season(s) so I do buy some new items every year.

More to the point ... basically my entire gear quiver matches this year --- but it didn't all happen at once! Rather, it has been more of an evolution over the past few seasons that has finally formed "my look."

What I do first, is find pants to my tech specifications and then I find the design/color I like. Hence, my purple/pink paisley ski pants (you'll just have to see to believe). I've paired those with a black gore-tex shell and a white/pink helmet. I purchased the outfit last year while I was skiing my Salomon Guns from two seasons before -- so I definitely DID NOT match my skis -- and my black boots are seeing their 4th season.

However, this year, it was time for new sticks as my Guns got the crap beat out of them last season (we had a severe lack of snow). And, lo and behold, the skis I wanted were pink, black and white (Rossi BC Scratch). And, the goggles I NEEDED were pink, black and white. Oh, and my poles are pink and white.

So I'm guessing I look like a lot of the Diva's worst nightmare , but I love my getup this year. I think I'm drawn toward this look because I've spent many season's looking like a boy on the slopes so I've been trying to make myself look like a girl. And not a day goes by where I don't get comments on my wicked pants!

I hope this doesn't scare any of you from skiing with me during Diva Solitude week!

 

[Pequenita]

I hope this doesn't scare any of you from skiing with me during Diva Solitude week!

Dang, I'm following you. With an outfit like that, there's no way I could lose you!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Actually, I'm embarrassed my boots and two pairs of my skis match! It looks 'on purpose,' but believe me, it's not. Some of my friends give me grief about it, but it's all in fun!

Same here. Mine was serendipity as well. I wouldn't have cared what color the boots were - they FIT. Then came the skis, which color-matched. As did the bindings (all bought separately). Again, I wouldn't have cared what color the skis were (although it's nice to have a binding that isn't glaringly different in color). Before any of the above came a jacket - that just happens to match.

As for feeling out of date, well, I am (in more ways than one ). None of my stuff is this year's - just can't afford it. So I go for new/old stock. So it's new for me but not the stores.

Hey---whatever gets you downhill.
It's all good

 

[jaydog]

I just got myself a thoroughly clashing AT setup: bluish-purple skis and orange boots. But hey, the price was right and those were the boots and skis that I wanted. If the equipment makes for happy skiing, I'm all for it.

 

[atlantiqueen]

I'm a basic black gal in my regular life but somehow in all my outdoor activities I end up looking like Rainbow Bright! Naturally, all my pants are black but then we take a look at the rest - green skis, silver boots, red poles, black helmet (phew) blue goggles....and then the jackets:

• pale blue TNF shell
• chocolate brown with fur trimmed hood (yes, I know )
• hunter orange hoodless down jacket,
• slate blue powder days jacket
• puke green paclite for warm days
• red soft shell for spring
• lime green shell for wet days
• and my new favourite...a black obermeyer softshell hoodie with robin's egg blue trim on the seams!

Not to stop there....now and then I like to totally embarass my stepsons and husband so just before we get to the lift line, I'll whip out my 1987 hot pink neon fleece neckwarmer - they hate me.

 

[ski diva]

I'm a basic black gal in my regular life but somehow in all my outdoor activities I end up looking like Rainbow Bright! Naturally, all my pants are black but then we take a look at the rest - green skis, silver boots, red poles, black helmet (phew) blue goggles....and then the jackets:

• pale blue TNF shell
• chocolate brown with fur trimmed hood (yes, I know )
• hunter orange hoodless down jacket,
• slate blue powder days jacket
• puke green paclite for warm days
• red soft shell for spring
• lime green shell for wet days
• and my new favourite...a black obermeyer softshell hoodie with robin's egg blue trim on the seams!

Not to stop there....now and then I like to totally embarass my stepsons and husband so just before we get to the lift line, I'll whip out my 1987 hot pink neon fleece neckwarmer - they hate me.

 

[atlantiqueen]

I'll get the camera fired up and take some fashion shots - then you'll ALL be embarassed to be seen with me!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

EIGHT jackets???

[*]pale blue TNF shell
[*]chocolate brown with fur trimmed hood (yes, I know )
[*]hunter orange hoodless down jacket,
[*]slate blue powder days jacket
[*]puke green paclite for warm days
[*]red soft shell for spring
[*]lime green shell for wet days
[*]and my new favourite...a black obermeyer softshell hoodie with robin's egg blue trim on the seams!
[/LIST]

Good grief, girl! How on earth am I ever going to find you at Sunday River!? You will have to give me a "heads-up" as to which of the jacket-quiver you'll be wearing!! BTW, will pm you when I get notice of shipment of the Fischers

 

[AnnKH]

My ski jacket is 12 years old, and I have no intention of replacing it until it completely falls apart. I have twin sons who are 5'10" at age 13 - they need new ski clothes almost every year (no hand-me-downs in our family!), and that pretty wipes out the outerwear budget.

I bought my poles in 1977, and I'm proud of them! In fact, I saw I guy at Whitefish this winter with the exact same poles - we were instant buddies! His wife laughed at both of us.

I bought new skis 4 years ago, and considering that the ones I was replacing were purchased in 1976, I feel like I've come a long way. I don't expect to buy skis again (unless these break). Since I only ski 6 or 7 days a year, I can't justify spending alot of money on new stuff.

 

[ISki]

I think I'm drawn toward this look because I've spent many season's looking like a boy on the slopes so I've been trying to make myself look like a girl.

Hah! Same here. Now I've got a pink jacket with fur trim, stretch pants, and no one is confusing me with a boy anymore!

Your outfit sounds awesome.

Not to stop there....now and then I like to totally embarass my stepsons and husband so just before we get to the lift line, I'll whip out my 1987 hot pink neon fleece neckwarmer - they hate me.

I have a neon pink ski sweater. It's probably the same era as your neckwarmer. I bought it in the late 90s. The ski shop had a fire, this sweater survived, and was $5. The pink is pretty, but whoa is it bright! So far I just can't bring myself to wear it on the slopes.

I bought new skis 4 years ago, and considering that the ones I was replacing were purchased in 1976, I feel like I've come a long way. I don't expect to buy skis again (unless these break). Since I only ski 6 or 7 days a year, I can't justify spending alot of money on new stuff.

Absolutely. I've got stuff decades old that I still actively use.

 

[num]

Hence, my purple/pink paisley ski pants (you'll just have to see to believe).

I think I know what pants you're talking about. Last season I kept seeing them, eventually a bunch were on clearance, and my friend *kept* trying to get my to buy them.

 

[alta_gal83]

I think I know what pants you're talking about. Last season I kept seeing them, eventually a bunch were on clearance, and my friend *kept* trying to get my to buy them.

I've only seen a couple of people with them ... but it sounds like I have some kindred spirits in the Midwest! They're Burtons ... I got them pre-season last year from a friend who is a buyer at Backcountry.com -- she saw them and immediately knew that I'd have to have them. Anyway, some woman earlier this year cornered me in the lodge and said "Oh, I like your pants. I actually just bought them. Did you get them at TJ Maxx too?" I about lost it ....

NOT THAT I'M AGAINST DISCOUNT STORES ... but it made me feel cheap, which I'm very much not when it comes to my gear (granted, I do buy everything at Pro-form).

Still love my pants tho

 

[tradygirl]

I don't know about y'all, but I just don't feel right when I'm not wearing my Bogner fartbag.

 

[num]

Yep, those were Burtons too. Pretty awesome pants, I'm just not into pink at all, so the idea of me in them was good fun for my friend. They had the matching jacket, too. I ended up wishing they came in girls sizes, cuz I definitely would've gotten it for my little niece, who I put in things that look awesome but are too girly for myself. It's fun to have a mini me :D