Stay Cool, Look Hot. Whistler Summer Fashion 2015
Posted by: Feet Banks
LEFT: A lot of white on the Aritizia racks. RIGHT: The Insider’s fashion expert, Molly Andrew. MICHELLE FRITH PHOTO
Whistler fashion trends often lean towards functionality – this is a town where Gore-Tex is next to godliness and winter-wieght Merino wool is practically a religion. While there are always nifty things happening in the world of head-to-toe waterproof/breathable outerwear, summer in the mountains gives everyone a chance to shed some layers and let their own fashion flags fly.
To keep tabs on what’s hot in Whistler this summer The Insider is reaching out to our fashion correspondent Molly Andrew, sales associate at Artizia/TNA and a lifelong Whistler local.
“White is a big thing this season,” Molly explains. “Oversized white shirts and button downs, white dresses, light denims, white on white on white.”
Building on the 60s style we saw popular last autumn, women can expect a lot of flowy, hippie-influenced “Boho-Chic” outfits this summer, as if the whole world is on their way to a giant open-air music festival.
LEFT TO RIGHT: Boho Chick White, White on White, Nautical Stipes.
“For men, nautical stripes are big again,” Molly says, “and TMC Freeriderz has a light windbreaker that is pefect for summer. Their toques are always in style too.”
Toques in the summer? You bet. Whistler loves all sorts of hats. “Bucket style hats are popular, women are wearing them too,” Molly says, adding that the wide brim is also good for sun protection. “And 90s-style sporty sandals are back, the kind your foot just slides in: think Adidas or Nike Air Max.”
In the world of bags, leathery backpacks are trending, as are “little-to-medium-sized suede bags.” And at the beach it’s all about straps. “Bikinis with 1000 straps,” Molly says. “Lots of bright flouro colours – really bright, and really strappy.” Swimwear shopping in Whistler starts at The Beach.
LEFT TO RIGHT: Sandbox shades at The Circle Outlet store, Bucket hats at Evolution. Rip Curl bikini at The Beach
Of course, Whistler fashion has a sport side too and technical biking clothes are huge up here. “Shredly is a cool company making women’s bike shorts,” says Xtina at Evolution Whistler, one of Whistler’s premier bike shops. “They’re based in Colorado so they understand the mountain lifestyle. You can bike, apres, and swim in these shorts. And SLAG have a good line of freeride jerseys and cool tech cargo shorts for men. The owner, Dave lives here in the summer too.”
Evolution also has their own cheap sunglasses that you won’t feel too bad if you dive off the dock wearing them but the Insider’s editors pick for summer eyewear are Sandbox sunglasses because they offer full protection in two classic shapes and are a 100% Whistler-owned company. Shop local.
Shredly shorts and SLAG jersey at Evolution
With a young population of people from all over the world, Whistler fashion exists in its own microclimate and nothing is too outlandish, so wear whatever you like. But don’t forget the hoodie.
‘The hoodie, of course, is a Whistler classic,” says Molly. “But we’ve covered that before right?”
Happy Summer! Be yourselves, check out the variety of shops in the Village, and dress how you like. Ultimately it’s not how you look that matters, it’s how awesome you are.
Regardless of what you wear it’s hard to outshine the beauty of nature. Rainbow Park, Whistler.
Article source: http://www.whistler.com/blog/post/2015/05/21/whistler-summer-fashion-2015.aspx
