I packed for Aspen last winter with three sweaters, two pairs of leggings, and a very confident idea that I “had this figured out.” I didn’t.
I ended up buying a vintage-style knit from a shop near the lift because everything I brought looked like gym wear next to a fireplace.
Lesson learned the expensive way: après-ski style is its own category, and retro is having a real moment in it right now.
If you’ve scrolled past a single ski-town Pinterest board this year, you already know what I mean.
The ’70s and ’80s alpine look, bold graphic knits, high-waisted suits, chunky boots, has stopped being a costume and started being the actual uniform. FYI, this isn’t just a trend for people who own a chalet.
Anyone with a puffer vest and a decent sweater can pull this off.
Below are 21 outfit ideas that lean into that retro mountain aesthetic without looking like you raided a ski museum’s gift shop.
I’ve worn versions of most of these, borrowed a few from friends who ski more than I do, and left out anything that looked good in a photo but felt miserable in real life.
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Check It Out →What “retro ski style” actually means right now
Retro ski fashion isn’t one specific decade. It’s a mash-up: ’70s color blocking, ’80s graphic sweaters, and a bit of ’90s snowboarder attitude, filtered through 2026’s obsession with quiet luxury fabrics.
Who What Wear’s rundown of this season’s ski trends points out how often technical gear and casual après pieces are showing up mixed together in the same outfit, which tracks with what I’ve seen on every mountain trip this year.
The short version: you want texture, you want a bold graphic somewhere, and you want at least one piece that looks like it survived a ski trip from 1985. That’s the whole formula, honestly.
Here’s a quick cheat sheet before we get into specifics:
| Occasion | Retro anchor piece | Easy add-on |
|---|---|---|
| Lodge lunch | Graphic ski sweater | Wide-leg cords |
| Fireside drinks | Faux fur vest | High-waisted leggings |
| Night out in town | Metallic puffer | Chunky boots |
| Slopeside brunch | Fair Isle knit | Oversized sunglasses |
Keep that table in your back pocket. It solved about 80% of my packing anxiety this year.
Retro sweater looks that carry the whole outfit
A good sweater does more work than any other item in your suitcase. IMO it’s the single best investment for this trip.
Heritage logo knit + straight-leg jeans. Grab a sweater with an old-school ski patch or a bold varsity stripe, then keep the bottom half plain. The sweater is loud enough on its own.
Fair Isle pullover + wide-leg trousers. Fair Isle knits are back in a big way this season, and they read as classic rather than costumey when you pair them with something sleek on the bottom.
Turtleneck under a chunky cardigan. This is my go-to for actual cold weather, not just cold-for-photos weather. Layer a thin merino base under both pieces and you’ll thank me later.
cropped sweater + high-waisted ski pants. A little bit ’70s, a little bit ski-bunny, entirely comfortable once you’re sitting by the fire.
Color-matched knit and beanie. Pick one accent color and repeat it in your hat. It looks intentional instead of thrown together, and it takes about zero extra effort.
Monochrome and color-block suits
Full-color-block suits feel intimidating until you actually try one on. Then you get it.
Head-to-toe red set. Red is everywhere in ski fashion this year, and a single-color suit photographs better than almost anything else on this list.
Color-blocked one-piece with a contrast zipper. This is the closest thing to a genuine time machine to 1978. Wear it with confidence and nobody questions it.
Two-tone bibs and a solid base layer. Less commitment than a full jumpsuit, same retro payoff.
Pastel monochrome (think dusty blue or sage). A softer take for anyone who finds neon a bit much. This one’s a personal favorite of mine because it photographs beautifully in overcast mountain light.
Fur, faux fur, and other texture play
Texture is where retro ski style earns its “chic” label instead of its “practical” one.
Faux fur vest over a turtleneck. This might be the easiest item on the entire list to style. Throw it over almost anything and it instantly looks pulled together.
Shearling-lined boots with everything. Not glamorous advice, but genuinely the detail that separates a good outfit from a great one.
Full faux fur coat for evening. Fashion houses have leaned hard into faux fur outerwear for this year’s alpine-inspired collections, and it works because it looks expensive without needing to be.
Fur-trimmed hood on a plain parka. A small upgrade if you’re not ready to commit to a full fur piece.
Denim and cabin-casual looks
Some days you don’t want to look like you’re auditioning for a ski film. That’s fine. Denim keeps things grounded.
Dark wash denim + oversized flannel. Simple, warm, and it doesn’t scream “I tried too hard.” Layering a solid base under a brushed overshirt is a favorite formula among mountain-town stylists, and I’ve stolen it more than once.
Corduroy pants + a graphic tee under a knit. The corduroy does the retro heavy lifting here.
Denim overalls + a bright base layer. This one gets me every time. It’s playful, it’s warm, and honestly it’s a bit ridiculous in the best way.
Vintage-wash jacket + wide-leg jeans. Perfect for the walk between the lodge and your room when you don’t want to fully change outfits.
Night-out and party-ready looks
Some après plans call for more than a sweater and boots.
Metallic puffer + leather-look leggings. A little bit disco, a little bit ski patrol. Wow, this combination photographs well under string lights.
Sequin or shimmer top under an open parka. Zip it up on the walk over, unzip it at the bar.
Slip dress over a thermal turtleneck. This is genuinely one of my favorite tricks. It looks intentional, feels warm, and works for almost any dress code.
Velvet blazer + snow boots. Unexpected, a little bit ironic, and it always gets a comment or two.
Accessories that finish the retro look
- Oversized sunglasses. Non-negotiable. Every single retro-inspired outfit on this list looks better with a pair.
- Pom-pom or fair isle beanie. Cheap, warm, and it ties a whole outfit together in about two seconds.
- Chunky knit scarf in a contrasting color. IMO this is the most underrated accessory in the entire genre.
- Statement gloves. Bright or metallic gloves do more visual work than people expect for something you barely notice you’re wearing.
Quick side note, completely unrelated to outfits: if you’ve never had hot chocolate with a shot of espresso at a ski lodge, do that this trip. It has nothing to do with fashion, but it might be the best five minutes of your whole vacation.
A few honest opinions before you pack
Not every retro trend works for every trip, and I’d rather tell you that now than let you overpack.
- Full jumpsuits look incredible in photos but can be a genuine hassle for bathroom breaks. Worth knowing before you commit to one for an entire day.
- Faux fur vests are the highest-value item per suitcase inch you’ll pack this year. Mine has worked with at least ten different outfits.
- Skip anything that requires ironing. You’re on vacation, not preparing for a shoot.
FAQs
Do I need actual vintage pieces to pull off this look, or do reproductions work fine? Reproductions work perfectly well.
Most of the pieces showing up on ski slopes this season are new items designed to look decades old, not actual vintage finds.
What’s the most versatile single item to pack for a retro ski trip? A graphic knit sweater.
It works over a base layer on the mountain and on its own at the lodge, and it pairs with almost every other item on this list.
Is the retro ski look only for women, or does it work for men’s outfits too? It works for both.
Men’s retro looks tend to lean on flannel overshirts, corduroy, and heritage logo knits rather than color-block suits, but the same texture-and-graphic formula applies.
Final thought
Retro ski style rewards a bit of boldness.
Pick one loud piece, whether that’s a graphic sweater or a full color-block suit, and build the rest of your outfit around it instead of trying to make everything shout at once.
Which of these 21 looks are you packing first, and did I miss your favorite retro piece? Tell me in the comments, I read every one of them.
