With the Winter Olympics just around the corner, from 6th to 22nd February 2026 in Milano Cortina, we’re excited to hit the slopes in Italy and France!
The Alps have always been a glamorous playground for winter sports enthusiasts, decked out in beautiful fair isle knitwear and luxurious cashmere. But recently, style on the piste has become more extravagant than ever. Classic, traditional pieces remain essential investments, but new brands are bringing fresh ideas, innovative cuts and modern touches of colour to the white, snowy slopes.
Visitors to the Alps often feel as if they have stepped back in time: chequered tablecloths, unchanged menus with raclette and fondue, rustic wooden interiors – all of which evoke charming memories of the 1970s and 80s. Fashion also has this retro charm. However, some labels combine nostalgia with contemporary design and set new trends on the piste.
Modern ski fashion must be able to do more than just look good, even if you prefer to explore the slopes in a relaxed manner and not carve like a pro. The right equipment ensures comfort and style.
ESSENTIAL PIECES FOR THE PERFECT SKI ENSEMBLE
Andrej Lišakov on Unsplash+; licenced under the Unsplash+ License
For the perfect day’s skiing, everything starts with smart base layers: Thermal and ski underwear made from merino wool provides warmth, breathability and long-lasting comfort. High-quality ski goggles are also essential – much more reliable than any sunglasses and designed to keep out wind, snow and bright light. Equally important – they should be indestructible. Durable merino ski socks keep your feet warm and dry.
Safety remains non-negotiable, so a reliable ski helmet is a must in your luggage. High-quality, waterproof ski gloves ensure a good grip and warm hands. Mittens are cosy but less functional.
The onion look ensures effortless style on and off the slopes: Mid-layers and clever après-ski jumpers with a 2-in-1 function save space and bring fashionable lightness. Classics such as the Fair Isle jumper or a cardigan in navy or burgundy round off the outfit – much of which is probably already in your wardrobe.
All photos courtesy and © High Society
Ski jacket: An integrated ski pass pocket on the sleeve is a must-have. It makes going to the lift quicker and easier without having to reach for your bag.
Ski trousers: Emma Peel sends her regards! The marvellous Emma remains an undisputed style icon – her elegant mix of coolness, self-confidence and avantgarde chic still has an impact today. Even on the slopes, she exuded a touch of swinging sixties and futuristic glamour with playful ease. It is precisely this energy, which we want more than ever – that we have found in High Society. EMMA – super cool and super sexy: a sleeveless jumpsuit that not only fits perfectly but also offers maximum freedom of movement. A statement piece that combines beauty and function as effortlessly as the legendary Emma Peel once did.
Maria Bogner – the woman who reinvented women’s ski fashion: Maria Bogner revolutionised women’s ski fashion by making the classic, figure-hugging stretch ski trousers socially acceptable – a modern replacement for the wide, heavy loden trousers that had previously been the norm. They combined functionality and elegance on the piste. And, let’s be honest… they look simply stunning! Today’s models show how the Bogner brand combines the tradition of ‘stretch ski trousers for women’ with modern materials, technical features (waterproof, stretch, snow skirt) and a cut that combines functionality and elegance. Great!
All photos © and used with the express permission of Willy BOGNER GmbH
Bogner for men: stretch trousers – invented by Maria Bogner and perfected by her son Willi – combine uncompromising performance and coolness on the piste. Tech-savvy and really stylish! The good old dungarees are a charmingly classic alternative: modern dungarees that combine retro chic with warmth and technical performance.
All-in-one ski suits: They have a charming retro charm, but at the same time look ultra-modern and offer perfect wearing comfort. Lady Di feeling included. Or would you prefer Farah Diba?
LUXURY MEETS INNOVATION
We asked experts which ski clothing brands will get you through the winter in style and warmth. For true winter sports enthusiasts, whether ice curlers, freeriders, walkers or classic skiers, the right equipment is not just a question of comfort. Luxuriously fashionable outfits & functionality go hand in hand.
Vibeke Bergan Barbo: As a Norwegian and designer, skiing, style (not just on the piste) and functionality are in her blood. She could ski before she learnt to walk. We couldn’t wish for a better contact when it comes to the perfect blend of performance and design. She tells us: “As a long-time avid skier in the Norwegian mountains, where it is colder than in the Alps, sometimes down to -20 °C, my outfit is not just a matter of fashion, but a lifesaver. That doesn’t mean that I don’t want to and can’t look good! I go for black or dark blue functional trousers – water-repellent, practical and modern. My jackets all have one thing in common: down. They vary in thickness depending on the temperature, but are always brightly coloured – lemon yellow, pink, orange, silver. You have to be seen on the piste.”
Photo courtesy and © High Society
We are delighted to have Anette Zinke, Head of PR and Marketing at High Society, to tell us more about the brand. “High Society Fashion combines technical performance with modern, clear couture aesthetics. For over three decades, the brand has stood for European craftsmanship, precise cuts and innovative materials that naturally combine function and style. Each collection interprets alpine fashion in a contemporary way: minimalist, high-quality and tailored to the needs of active, urban women. High Society develops ski fashion that impresses on the piste and can be worn effortlessly in the city. The brand sees itself as a statement for quality, innovation and a modern concept of luxury that doesn’t have to be loud – but precise, well thought-out and timeless.”
Video via IBSF Bobsleigh & Skeleton on YouTube
Prince Albert II of Monaco is not only regarded as a head of state with a sense of responsibility, but also as a man with a strong passion for winter sports. Between 1988 and 2002, he took part in five Winter Olympics as a bobsledder, impressively demonstrating his skills. He also remains loyal to the snow away from the competition tracks. He can be seen skiing time and again, often as part of charitable events, where he does not present himself as a fashionable eccentric, but as a pragmatic sportsman: he wears functional, classic ski clothing, all in the name of performance. You will look in vain for a specifically Monegasque ‘ski style’ – the Prince favours restraint, quality and practicality. Perhaps this is precisely where his elegant charm lies: true sovereignty does not need a loud look.
With the right clothing, every skiing holiday becomes an unforgettable experience. Because in the Alps, the snow is white and the fashion sets brilliant accents. Whether on the piste or at après-ski, with the perfect outfit, nothing stands in the way of a glamorous winter adventure.
Lead image by Andrej Lišakov on Unsplash+; licenced under the Unsplash+ License; all other images as credited
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