Have you ever heard of “gorpcore”? Well if you have, you are way ahead of me. I just heard of it a couple of days ago. Apparently it’s a trend in fashion that has been around for the last few years but it has become more prevalent as street style these days. To put it simply, gorpcore, named for the trail mix acronym that’s short for “good ol’ raisins and peanuts” has translated into the fashion world to mean “outdoor-chic”. It seems to have started as a menswear trend, but can and has been adapted for women. Taking a page from athleisure, it’s outdoors-inspired clothing like camp wear that’s not just for camping. The gorpcore trend is taking your woodsy items and incorporating them into your everyday wardrobe. It’s sporty, functional and a perfect trend for women over 40.
What Is The Gorpcore Trend?
Some of the distinguishing characteristics of gorpcore can be bright colors. Think of items you would find at a Dick’s Sporting Goods or Cabela’s: bright oranges, yellows, purples. Colors that would not normally blend seamlessly into nature. You can also find muted colors, like tan, gray and green but the bright colors win out many times. Other characteristics of gorpcore are voluminous fits and layers upon layers. Gorpcore items are cut loose and boxy; rarely fitting close to the body and allowing for free and fluid movement. This also allows you to wear lots of layers (presumably to keep warm if you actually are out in the woods). If you think about it, that’s exactly what you’d want to wear when camping. Nothing too restricting, warm but incredibly breathable.
Gorpcore as Streetwear
All of these characteristics also can work well in everyday life, especially the dialed-back life we’ve been forced to live in these lock-down days. The loose fits and boxy, comfortable clothes are perfect for quarantine and the parkas and techwear are really nice for when you live in a cold climate like mine. I’ve locked all my fashion coats away for the time being and have been slipping into a warm parka and loose layers for all of my quick errands.
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Key Pieces In Gorpcore
I don’t think one needs to worry about rules for wearing the gorpcore trend. It’s pretty basic and paired down. This trend is all about comfort and warmth. So instead of highlighting how to wear it, let’s look at some key pieces that you can invest in that will help you dive into the gorpcore trend.
The Bright Puffer Jacket
The boldest way to incorporate this trend into your wardrobe is to invest in a large, oversized, brightly-colored puffer jacket. This seems to be a staple in the trend. If you don’t have the budget to invest in a down filled coat, you can find something with a similar look but more affordable. Something like this Nozie Oversized Puffer gives you the look of gorpcore, but not with the large price tag of a tech piece.
Layer It On
Gorpcore is also really big on layers, so you can get something to represent that aspect of the trend like this base layer t-shirt from Arc’teryx and then layer this Cozy Camp ¼ Zip Sweatshirt from Eddie Bauer on top of it. These are pieces that are nice and casual and you can wear them forever as they serve as functional items in your wardrobe.
Cargo Pants
Bottoms and accessories are just as easy. Wide leg, loose fit pants are key items in this trend. Having something like these L.L. Bean Stretch Canvas Cargo Pants will be a basic go-to. You can wear them over and over again. To me, they are just as comfortable as a pair of leggings but have a little bit more going on. Honestly, you can even style these up with a pair of combat boots and leather jacket if you want to take a piece like this to the next level.
Gorpcore Accessories
Another way to sport the gorpcore trend is with a lightweight, waterproof and totally functional pair of hiking boots like these by Salomon. This blue pair adds a nice shot of color to anything you wear.
Finally, I know that I get tired of toting my stuff around in the same handbag. I don’t really see the point of using a fancy or designer bag during lockdown, so sometimes I opt for a backpack. You can fit everything you need in one and I love that they are hands free. I also love that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a quality backpack that will last you for years.
Something like this Recon Backpack from The North Face is just what you need and I adore the bright color. It’s a nice break from all of the drab blacks and grays of the wintertime and fits in perfectly with the gorpcore trend.
Gorpcore for Women Over 40
(Pictured above)
Runway Looks
Monclear JW Anderson Fall 2020
Shop Gorpcore
NOIZE Belle Oversize Hooded Puffer Coat, $198
L.L. Bean Women’s Stretch Canvas Cargo Pants, $69.95
Arc’teryx Taema Crew Neck Shirt, $65
Eddie Bauer Cozy Camp 1/4-Zip Sweatshirt, $60
Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX Hiking Shoe, $164.95
The North Face Women’s Recon Backpack, $69.30
– Carmen Turner
You may like to read more of Carmen’s trends posts like How To Wear Kimonos When Staying In And Going Out and The Latest Fall Pants Trends For Women Over 40.
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I never knew this was a trend with a name. … seems like a standard wardrobe for anyone living in Montana! Nice roundup of selections.
The term is new to me, also. Who knew ? But now i do!