Dressing for Outdoor Adventures
We’ve been cozy for long enough. We’ve been hibernating. We’ve had our full share of hot cocoa. We are all rested up - at least that is what I’m telling myself. The sun is out and you should be too. Whether you have kids, a dog, or a partner who is bugging you to do all sorts of “fun” outdoor activities like hiking, or god forbid, camping, it’s time to work on our outdoor adventures wardrobe.
If you are one of those people who would rather have a picnic or a stroll by the bay than climb up a mountain, first of all I’m with you and second of all I'm here to tell you that it counts as an outdoor adventure. Regardless of what you consider an outdoor adventure, I have outfit ideas for you!
When it comes to outdoor adventures, the word of the game is comfort. But with the rise of the athleisure and exercise clothing boom, you don’t have to compromise on style. If anything, there are too many options to choose from.
I exclusively buy exercise clothes from exercise clothing manufacturers, such as North Face, Patagonia, Nike, etc… These brands research their clothes, they test the limits to extremes I won’t ever get close to but it ensures I will always be comfortable. But please my friend, let’s wear our Patagonia jacket only when we go on a hike. (If you know me, you know that my crusade has been to replace every North Face or Patagonia jacket with more stylish options…)
Lastly, while most of the exercise industry is dependent on synthetic fibers for exercising as it has been perceived as more absorbent and versatile, I actually suggest you choose natural fibers where possible. For my wellness enthusiasts, merino wool has been studied as the best fabric to wear when working out, especially given that it is toxin-free.
Here is some outfit inspiration for you going into Spring:
Hiking
Hikes come in all shapes and sizes, they can be an hour long, or what feels like all day long. They can be slightly elevated or feel like you’re summiting Everest. But the bottom line is having comfortable shoes and breathable materials.
Lastly, in Spring we still need to be prepared for all weather conditions and I highly suggest a rainproof jacket just in case. These can be extremely light, and if you don’t need it, you can just tie it around your waist.
Camping
I don’t care if you rebrand it to “glamping”, it isn’t for me unless a real bed is involved and a bathroom is in my room, but for those of you who enjoy it, or are forced to, you need to prioritize light fabrics that you can easily layer.
You’ll already have a bit of gear to take around, so you want to keep your clothes as light as you can, which is why the materials are fundamental. These clothes have to be simultaneously breathable and warm, think vest, long sleeve wool shirts, and breathable pants.
Casual Outdoor Outfits
Now to my favorite kind of outdoor activities: picnics, nature walks, and sightseeing. And if you’re fortunate to live in a place like the bay: sailing.
Here we can relax a bit when it comes to comfort as we won’t be doing anything too strenuous but you’ll still be out in the sun and need clothes that protect you for long periods of exposure. On the flip side, you can be a bit more *adventurous* with your style. You can accessorize more, and you don’t need to carry a bag around with a bunch of supplies, unless you’re going for a picnic, but who doesn’t love a wicker bag?
In summary, outdoor activities are all about comfort, but you can still look incredibly stylish and it may be just the thing that gets me into hiking - at least that’s what I’m telling myself as I add everything to my shopping cart. I can’t wait to see your takes on these outdoor outfits in our Facebook group, as well as pictures of the beautiful places you’re exploring.
Bises!
Lili