It’s official: Core is the new chic. From reimagined rural life to pink aesthetics inspired by Barbie dolls, there are countless fashion cores for people to explore their personal aesthetic. The most recent one that has gained worldwide popularity is no doubt the Gorpcore fashion trend.
Gorpcore?
First coined by Jason Chen from The Cut back in 2017, Gorpcore is defined by functional and utilitarian outdoor wear outside of their intended use. Basically, what you would see on a hiker or a camper… clothing that is designed to be useful rather than attractive. It’s the idea that nothing is more stylish than clothes that are not stylish.
This outdoor-wear aesthetic has been gathering a lot of traction in recent years. From Gucci x The North Face to the most recent Maison Margiela x Salomon shoes on the spring/summer 2023 runways, it’s clear that the cool kids aren’t ready to let this trend go yet. Brands like Arc’teryx, The North Face and Salomon are currently the go-to places that people get their Gorpcore pieces, such as vests, fleece jackets, hiking shoes, and bags. However, luxury brands like Prada, Dior, Vetements and Loewe have also ventured into the trend.
Gorpcore Characteristics:
Layering
While layering is an essential characteristic for many other fashion trends, each of the aesthetics carries a unique style of layering – and Gorpcore is one of them. When you think about more outdoorsy wear, it’s hard to imagine someone in jeans and a white tee. Many utilitarian pieces are designed to work best when they’re worn with other pieces, such as layering a fleece jacket over a base layer T-shirt. Basically, the bulkier you look, the better. The best thing about Gorpcore is, you don’t have to spend a huge chunk of your savings on designer clothing to get the look. All of the pieces you need can easily be thrifted, or come in more affordable options.
Logos
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Similar to streetwear, logos are a huge part of Gorpcore. In case you haven’t noticed, Gorpcore is not subtle, at all. The trend embraces logos, whether it’s reflective brand logos that increase visibility in adverse conditions, or logo prints across the entire surface of the clothing.
Volume
Going hand-in-hand with layering, volume is essential in Gorpcore. It’s the complete opposite of minimalism, and it embraces bulky coats that are meant to be worn over layers. Deviating from the form-fitting look of it’s cousin, Techcore, trousers should be wide and straight (but not flared), with large pockets in which to fill your secrets. The jackets should be large enough to fit a bunch of layers beneath. Essentially, the only clothes that should fit you are your hiking shoes!
Colour
This one’s all up to personal preference. Most traditional camping gear and outerwear tend to feature bright colours like purple, orange, green, red, blue, and pink. These are most commonly found in matching shell suits and puffer jackets, worn in monochromatic or mixed and matched looks. These can be seen on celebs like Frank Ocean wearing a bright orange Mammut puffer jacket back in January 2019; or when A$AP Rocky started wearing vibrant Arc’teryx jackets. However, it’s undeniable that muted colours are also featured prominently within Gorpcore, particularly greys, blacks, browns, greens, and navies. So depending on your preference, Gorpcore can be presented in many different ways according to your unique style.
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