Origins of the Trend

In 2007, outdoor giants The North Face came together with Supreme to create their take on a summit Jacket, it became an instant hit with tastemakers around the globe and went on to spawn a highly sought after ongoing collaboration between the two brands and really helped to kickstart the trend. 

However, it wasn't until ten years later, in 2017, that The Cut officially coined the term 'Gorpcore'. It was time to name the trend, also referred to as "granola-wear" or "camping chic". 

It wasn't a new aesthetic. Instead, it simply put a label on a trend bubbling away in the background of the fashion world.

All It Took Was a Pandemic

2020 saw the true eruption of the gorpcore trend. After a year of lockdowns and pandemic-led hibernation, consumers developed the urge to spend more time outdoors and immerse themselves in nature when the world reopened. This led to a sky-rocketing desire for technical clothing and an outdoor aesthetic.

From The Trails to Fashion Week

Since the meteoric rise of the technical wear trend, you’re now just as likely to see someone wearing a hardshell jacket at a high fashion show as you are in the Alps.

Celebrities like Kendall Jenner and Emily Ratajowski have often been spotted wearing the ubiquitous North Face puffer jacket and other techwear brands. In 2019, Frank Ocean paired a yellow Mammut (Swiss outdoor brand) mountaineering coat with a camo-style Arc’teryx (high-tech Canadian label) beanie on the front row of the Louis Vuitton show in Paris, demonstrating how the utility fashion trend can truly be taken from the trails to fashion week.

The Technical Side of Things

Aside from being inspired by Frank Ocean’s Paris Fashion Week fit, the technical aspects of gorpcore clothing draws in a large audience of outdoor urbanites. Who doesn’t want a wardrobe full of practical and convenient multi-tasking fits?

Our new Tech Utility collection features utility essentials with sealed seams, padded insulation made from coated ottoman, ripstop and recycled polar fleece fabrics.

A material highlight from the collection is the coated ottoman, found in the Men’s Glacier View Jacket. The functional material is as happy keeping you comfortable in the forest as it is in the city.

Nailing The Tech Utility Look

We’ve got plenty of pieces to help you nail the techwear look. 

It would be a severe oversight not to mention the puffer jacket, which is an undisputed techwear essential. Our Waldenburg Jacket is a staple for those looking to embrace the look and stay warm at the same time.

On the subject of keeping warm and adding a touch of practicality to the mix, our Port Allen Fleece is a button-up mid-layer made for multi-purpose wear. Pair it with the Duck Canvas Utility Pants or utility jacket for a utilitarian look.

We’ve already preached about the versatility of our Tech Utility collection, here are some examples of how to style and where:

Autumn winter nights – Stay cosy and warm with our Port Allen Fleece. Partner with a pair of Mapleton Sweatpants for the ultimate cozy uniform.

Festivals – Everyone loves a coordinated top and bottom look at a festival. When it drops colder in the evening, combine our Crafted Camo Overshirt with our Eagle Bend Cargo Pant.

Into the Wild – Are you thinking about heading out into the great outdoors? Our Glacier View Jacket or Anorak are great for battling mother nature. Don’t forget our King Kove Cap to keep the elements off your head and ears. 

Fashionable and functional, no matter how you style your Dickies Tech Utility products, they’re ready to face whatever life throws at you.