The Showports Industries of America (SIA)’s SnowShow hit Denver again last month with a flurry of new and repeat exhibitors showing off and selling items from their winter 2017/18 lines.  Snowgrrl loved checking out the ski jackets and other apparel from numerous designers.  We noticed a trend towards soothing solid smoky or icy colors in ski wear, with a few sunny exceptions.

KJUS, Mark Miller, NILS, FERA, and (at a slightly lower price point) Dare2b were among the manufacturers featuring “slope to street” apparel that you could comfortably wear on the slopes of Aspen or walking your dog around town.  In shades of black, champagne/rose gold, smokey gray and icy white, these jackets appear both beautiful and technical.  As Eric Tung of FERA explained and we can confirm based on conversations with women in town and at the resorts, today’s uncertain political climate makes shoppers a little more conservative in their spending.  Instead of buying a crazy printed jacket AND one that’s more practical for apres-ski endeavors, a lot of us are just buying one item that can transition seamlessly from a fast run down a black diamond to lunch at the lodge to dinner on the town.

A few notable items stood out amongst the outwardly conservative colors in ski wear like rays of sunshine on a snowy day.  We loved the fun new line of base layers dreamed up by Kari Traa, a champion freestyle skier and Olympic medalist; adorable prints from Krimson Klover; and Obermeyer’s special edition, leopard print  Leighton jacket with hot pink trim.  We want to wear these items while throwing confetti and eating cotton candy at a slumber party!

Stay tuned for future posts mountain-testing some of these items to see if they’re as functional as they are fashionable!

~SG