vintage mountain-wear for on & off the peaks
secondhand picks inspired by pre-gore-tex, retro alpine apparel
I’ve been in the French Alps for the last 10 days, in the house my great-grandparents built back in the 1950s.
It’s in a village conveniently located 40 minutes away from Chamonix, and 50 minutes away from Annecy — two incredibly beautiful spots.
The nature is breathtaking, it’s no wonder alpinisme (mountaineering) was born here in 1786 when Jacques Balmat & Dr. Michel-Gabriel Paccard completed the first ascent of the Mont Blanc.
A quick ode to the mountains
Centuries have passed since this incredible feat, but we still turn to mountains to escape from our daily lives, to reach higher peaks, to feel so tiny but so alive.
Yesterday, I watched this beautiful 15-minute Patagonia documentary about a refuge in Chamonix located at 2841 meters. At one point, they describe mountains as a place people go in search of freedom.
In many cultures, mountains are regarded as mystical and spiritual forces. And all over the world, wherever there are mountains, humans are climbing them.
Retro alpine aesthetics appreciation
Hiking is only growing more popular and hiking clothes more technical. Mountaincore is all the rage even at zero meters in altitude.
But I have a sweet spot for retro alpine outfits and aesthetics (don’t we all?!)
From the retro posters…
…to the quaint, traditional architecture in the Alps…
…all the way to the non-sporty, barely technical apparel people were hiking in before gore-tex took over:
Hiking gear turned casual wear
People were climbing peaks in clothes we now wear every day: vests, wool sweaters, flannel shirts, bandanas, belt bags.
Like so many of our clothing staples, they were designed for practicality, not fashion. Still, when I look through old photos and magazine ads, style didn’t seem like an afterthought either.
Below, 5 hiking-inspired secondhand picks to add to your wardrobe:
Cargo shorts
With their big utilitarian pockets and perfect length, these have made their way off the trails for decades already. Dress them up with sandals and a tank, or quite literally take them out for a hike.
Here’s a secondhand find for 5€:
or these blue high-waisted vintage Patagonia:
But I’m also loving this DKNY skirt version that’s under 10€:
Bandanas
We associate this one with cowboys. But did you know Yosemite climbers in the 60s and 70s used these as a lightweight “everything towel”?
There are loads of cotton bandanas with fun designs on the secondhand market.
Like this orange one with its 70s vibes (2€!!!):
Or this blue pattern with some leaves to match with nature:
I also wrote a post about different ways to style small scarves, if you’re looking for inspo :)
Belt bags
For your keys and phone, handy on a hike but also on a day out on the town. Everyone is wearing these cross-body but honestly, this woman is making me want to find, and rock, a legit belt bag.
Maybe something like this? Seems just big enough for a phone!
Or this brown leather option for a more classic look:
Sleeveless gilet
This one became popular in the 1960s as a warm layer. Apparently an old gear list from 1968 reads “1 down vest, weighs under 14 oz, worth every ounce.”
There are some very fun non-sporty secondhand options to find a sleeveless layer for style, (not so much for warmth):
Like this y2k Ralph Lauren in metallic blue:
Or this Christian Lacroix in a vibrant red:
Flannel shirt
Often associated with lumberjacks, flannel shirts have been hiking gear since the early 1900s. A famous Italian guide from the Dolomites, Angelo Dibona, even praised the new flannel sportswear technology of the time for its “elastic warmth” (pictured below, on the left).
Around that time, Coco Chanel launched her first flannel suit, introducing the fabric to the fashion world for the first time.
How cute is this Cacharel vintage set from 1971?
I love the blue of this flannel oversized shirt:
Or this bright red short-sleeved number that’s vintage Woolrich:
There are a million more traditional flannel shirt options you can find by searching for brands like L.L.Bean, Woolrich, Pendleton, Patagonia.
Although we wear hiking-inspired clothing more often than we realize, nothing beats actually getting dressed to spend a day out in the mountains — amirite?
On that note, off to go hiking!
Thanks for reading 💚⛰️
— Laure
Okay, I have to watch this documentary asap.
Woolrich, Pendleton, and Patagonia are some of my favorite brands to thrift. I’m also a huge fan of Johnson Woolen Mills.
Ahh the Cacharel set! If only I had an unlimited budget. Also the flannel but make it fashion woman is my muse.