The Evolution of Gorpcore
Following its emergence as a dominant style last year, an increasing number of brands and consumers are adopting the Gorpcore style as their own and evolving alongside it. Despite maintaining an emphasis on functionality and utility, the streetwear heritage visible across most collections has been embraced by more of an urban consumer rather than the outdoorsman. An eagerness to avoid short-term trends has also made items from most collections significantly more accessible for the everyday wearer; a large proportion consist of durable garments that can be worn for a lifetime in designs that are meant to be layered, removing the need for a fully Gorpcore themed wardrobe and reducing cost.
While a keen interest in the outdoors is encouraged, it is far from required when looking to incorporate Gorpcore themes into your wardrobe. The ethos of the aesthetic is blending the functional with the fashionable in an almost affectatious manner; hiker boots or puffer jackets paired with everyday streetwear items to indicate the deliberate nature of the outfit and the awareness of the wearer. Brands such as Merrell, Berghaus and Napapijri have begun to take note of the streetwear zeitgeist when releasing new collections while longstanding names in the space such as Gramicci have benefitted from much renewed interest due to their varied style.
The widespread appeal that Gorpcore is now experiencing can be attributed to a number of factors; a desire for practicality cannot be overstated as an increasing number of people look for outfits that remain equally well-suited across a broad range of conditions. Most brands focused on the outdoors also exercise a self-imposed duty of care towards the environment, something that the more ethically minded consumer has become more conscious of over recent years. With this in mind, Gorpcore collections remain perfectly suited to the urban resident, hiker and eco-conscious in equal measure.
