Chic adventures: A guide to some of the best stylish outdoor wear available right now

Outdoor gear has been a difficult thing to navigate in years gone past, with fabrics qualities, cuts and colours geared towards the hard-core hiker who really only wanted their products to work when on a remote hill (and where no-one could actually see what they had on to protect them from the elements). Stylish outdoor wear, particularly for us females, was, and still is to a certain extent, a slightly holy grail in the category of outerwear. Functional products which achieve waterproof ratings of 10,000mm plus are easy to find in traditional outdoor shops, and a stylish rain jacket which throws a nod at performance (but really only offers a shower resistant coating at best) are aplenty on the high street but truly stylish function is the holy grail. Stylish outdoor wear, stylish outdoor boots, or any aesthetically pleasing accessories still takes a lot of hard work and sweat – which seems odd in this world where it rains a lot and not just in places where no-one sees you! There’s no reason why your outdoor attire can’t be both practical and chic. In this guide, we’ll explore a few ways to protect from the weather as well as a few of the brands which offer function and fashion in harmonious balance.

Stylish outdoor boots and shoes

Outdoor boots and shoes have two main functions: absolute comfort and the ability to keep your feet dry and supported. By their nature, footwear is slightly more difficult to assimilate into your everyday style but there are a few brands who are picking up this mantel and running with it!

SOREL – Established in 1962, this brand blends craftsmanship with contemporary design to produce versatile footwear suitable for all seasons. Originally focusing on high-quality winter and work boots, the brand has evolved marrying utility with style. Hailing from Canada, Sorel’s heritage lies in crafting footwear capable of enduring harsh Canadian winters. Now pushing the fashion boundaries, their range of stylish outdoor boots and trainers are offered in bright colours and include their signature chunky soles. Boots are offered between £110 – £175 with trainers positioned at the £80-£100 Link to website

LEFRATTESI – This brand is based in Italy and Filippo, the founder, works alongside a 150-year-old shoemaking factory based in an Italian town surrounded by countryside. The quality of these boots and sandals are hiking grade. The soles and the construction of this footwear means you can walk for miles enjoying the freedom of the outdoors whilst also wearing a piece of beauty on your feet. Boots are positioned at the 165 Euros, and sandals 75 euros. Link to website

Stylish rain jackets 

PROTECTED SPECIES – Independently owned, the Protected Species collection of outerwear was conceived to balance technical prowess with both comfort and style. Performance ratings stand at an impressive 15,000mm for waterproofing, and 15,000mm /H20/24 hr for moisture vapour permeability, which, in short, allows the wearer to “breathe” by avoiding the build-up of sweat inside the jacket (unlike outwear made from Rubber or PU technologies).

As with the Alphatauri collection, sleek cuts and hidden features create stylish outdoor wear which blends into the city skyline but also has the technology to be worn in the stormiest conditions hiking a mountain pass. Offered in both short and long length style prices are offered between: £169 – £249 Link to website

ALPHATAURI – The Alphatauri brand is owned by the team at “Red Bull”, the energy drink giant. The company’s second team became known as Toro Rosso (which means Red Bull in Italian) before morphing into Scuderia AlphaTauri, where the name for the clothing brand originated in 2020. As you can imagine, AlphaTauri infuses the world of sports excellence with their direction on aesthetics and style, reinforcing the brand’s core values. 

This brand’s stylish rain jacket collection is directed at those who want their waterproof to look contemporary, understated and sleek. Designed for the city but with high levels of functional performance, the collection epitomises directional modern shapes which are engineered for travel. Ratings for waterproofing stand at the 5,000 mmm, and the average cost for a stylish rain jacket from their collection is between £500-£1000 Link to website

Stylish outdoor bags and rucksacks

URTH –  Urth is actually a community of creators inspired by the Earth, and offering sustainable products which minimise the impact to it. Their backpacks are actually created for travelling photographers so they have been developed in waterproof fabrics, are lightweight, and beautifully functional at the same time. Unlike a lot of traditional outdoor rucksacks, the Urth collection has a sleek, minimalistic design direction but with all the pockets and compartments you would need. In addition to this their bags are made from 70% recycled materials, diverting resources from landfill. Because durability is key to sustainability, their collections feature aluminium hardware and YKK zips and one tree is planted for every product purchased. Prices average around £130 Link to website

RAINS – Rains epitomises contemporary style with its sleek waterproof creations, drawing inspiration from Scandinavian roots, which they say emphasises simplicity and practicality. PU / rubber quality is used to create both their outerwear and bag waterproofing system. This form of technology isn’t breathable, but as your bag doesn’t need to “breathe” in the same way you do when wearing your jacket, this type of technology fused with their minimalistic design creates a great stylish outdoor bag rucksack and bag collection. Prices are good value positioned at the £99 mark.  Link to website

How to keep dry in the Rain 

1. Function meets fashion: The foundation of any stylish outdoor outfit is functionality. Look for garments that are designed with performance in mind, featuring technical fabrics that are breathable, moisture-wicking, and quick-drying. Other brands such as The North Face, Arc’teryx, and Patagonia are renowned for their high-quality and availability on the high street and these brands are improving their “lifestyle” aesthetic for the woman who doesn’t want to look like she’s wearing an outdoor jacket to work. 
2. Invest in versatile pieces which can layer: When building your outdoor wardrobe, focus on investing in versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of looks. Opt for neutral colours like black, grey, olive green, taupes that can easily be paired with different outfits. Convertible pants, multi-functional jackets, and layering pieces are essential for maximising your wardrobe’s versatility. Brands like Columbia Sportswear and REI Co-op offer a wide range of versatile outdoor clothing suitable for various activities and climates.
3. The rise of athleisure: The lines have been blurred between active, outdoor and casual wear making it much simpler to find base and mid layers to complement your outfits. Non-wired highly supportive vest bras are offered on the high street, as well as thermal and breathable base layers which can complement your more expensive waterproof technical layers. Leggings are an outdoor staple and can traverse from city to the hillsides with ease. Performance pieces which allow your body to breathe and don’t absorb moisture are readily available from both outdoor and high street retailers.
4. Pay attention to fabric types: Unfortunately, natural fibres such as wool and cotton are not good if you’re caught in a downpour. Absorbing water, they don’t dry easily which can leave you feeling wet and heavy for long periods of time. Instead Polyester and nylon fabric bases are used in many outdoor products as wa
5. Prioritise sustainability: In an age where sustainability is paramount, consider the environmental impact of your outdoor wardrobe choices. Look for brands that prioritize eco-friendly materials and ethical manufacturing practices. Opt for garments made from recycled materials or organic fibres, and support companies that are committed to minimizing their carbon footprint. Brands like Protected Species, Patagonia, REI Co-op, PrAna, who are leading the way in sustainable outdoor fashion, offering stylish clothing made from eco-friendly materials.
6. Assess your footwear’s features: Last but certainly not least, don’t underestimate the importance of the features of your footwear when it comes to outdoor style. Gore-Tex is a branded lamination technology which is used in boots and outerwear to block water penetration. Technology which offers a breathable waterproof membrane is important if you are planning to up the steps on your outdoor explorations. Your feet need to be able to breathe whilst they stay free of water. Weight can be another consideration to think about. Beaten up leather army boots found in every Army and Navy store around the country offer characteristic heritage style, but they are heavy! Originally designed over 100 years ago, technology has caught up and can mean lightweight alternatives are a lot more comfortable to wear 

Conclusion: 

With the right combination of functionality, versatility, and style, you can elevate your outdoor wear game and purchase clothes which feel like you, wherever your adventures take you. By investing in high-quality pieces from top outdoor brands, embracing athleisure trends, prioritising sustainability, and paying attention to accessories and footwear, you can create stylish outdoor wear that not only looks good but also performs well in any environment. So, go ahead, step outside, and let your outdoor style shine with these top brands leading the way in outdoor fashion!