There was a period where snowboard fashion with riders wearing jackets and pants two sizes to big began to creep into ski fashion, fortunately this has changed and form fitting ski wear has come back into style. Where as a great fitting pair of women's stretch pants has never gone out of style. Knowing the difference between what is great design that will stand the test of time and give you years of life out of your ski apparel versus what is a fad will allow you to make smart decisions about your next purchase.

 

There are several types of jackets for skiing, down jackets have been for years and still are still very trendy for women, mostly due to warmth and comfort. Fortunately over the last several years ski fashion designers have done wonders with the cut of down coats, long gone are the days of the boxy cut "puffy" in which you looked like the Stay Puff Marshmallow. Today down ski jackets for women come in silhouette shapes that accentuate the women's figure, not detract from it. Designers have also been taking the functional demand for baffling of the jacket to keep insulation in place, and what was once a simple square pattern is not morphed into a stylish design element that gives jackets their own unique look and creative style. It also seemed for years that down coats came mainly in black, this became very boring and thank goodness this has changed, you are now seeing down coats form luxury ski wear manufacturers such a Sportalm in a variety of bold colors including violet and forest green. Some designers and manufacturers are even making the coats reversible so you get two great coats in one, giving you a versatility not had before from your ski wear.

 

Insulated pants for women are very popular these days, all for warmth, because if you are cold you will not want to be on the slopes. There was a time when female skiers would wear several layers of long underwear to try to stay warm, this was due largely to the fact that ski pants either had minimal insulation to have a good fit, or were bulky and lacked great movement if loaded up with insulation. With the development of newer lightweight compact insulations such as Primaloft One ski apparel designers can achieve a great fit in a pant that moves well and does not make women look three sizes larger.

 

We see a decline in fleece wear; this is largely due to the number other amazing material options that have become available. These materials are giving designers more options in term of finish, feel and how the fabric lays on the skin as well as the look. Some feel fleece is too casual for luxury ski wear and does not give the presentation desired so we are seeing companies move away from this in favor of more hi-tech options that allow for more creativity in design. In addition some of the fabrics are warmer and better coated and or laminated, providing a waterproof element to what is classically a mid layer, this give the piece more versatility and allows the user to wear it as an outer layer in the spring.

 

We are seeing more cashmere layers as skiers are wanting more of a luxury look from their ski clothing, women especially love the feel on their skin and touch of class it adds to their outfit.

 

The out layer, whether just a shell or waterproof outer with insulation is reaching new heights in technical functionality. The level of waterproofness combined with breathability has reached a place where the days of getting wet even during a huge snowstorm, or when skiing wetter Pacific snow are long gone, as well as that clammy feeling. The increased functionality of todays outerwear protects skiers from the most extreme mountain conditions, while keeping them perfectly comfortable. Stretch fabrics are becoming more and more popular, allowing for your clothes to actually move with you as you ski, this is giving skiers an increased edge in performance as the technical level of skiing continues to rise. These fabrics tend to have a slick appearance that goes well with the trends in luxury ski wear as well.

 

Compression underwear is becoming very popular as well, not only does it provide great warmth and some protection, but they can increase performance, allowing skier to ski harder and stay out longer.

 

Colors are still bright this year as has become the trend lately, especially in pants. Printed pants and jackets are also becoming more popular, we are also seeing women wear printed vests under their more solid jackets creating a great contrast.

 

Fur trimmed hoods are more popular than ever, and why not, they look great, provide warmth and are very cozy. Not only does it gives a jacket a warm and cozy feeling, but it especially flattering to a women's face.

 

Patches are popular, and we are seeing brand logos on the clothing but these should not be too large, but recognizable.  Patches provide a nice design element while giving some protection and durability to the clothing. Embroideries are giving designers some creative freedom and giving jackets lovely texture.

 

Street wear inspired clothing in skiwear is also a growing trend, ski pants cut to look and feel like your favorite jeans, and ski jackets that look as good in the bar at night as they do on the mountain during the day are also very popular.

 

Fortunately it seems all the trends in ski fashion are moving towards a more elegant classy design, this will give buyers greater longevity out of their new designer jackets and pants. The materials are also performing even greater, which means while some apparel is getting more expensive it is worth the money.