Gorpcore? If you’re confused by the term, you’re not alone. The once-niche fashion aesthetic is having a major moment, thanks in part to Timothée Chalamet’s recent trip to the Dolomites.
It may have started with hikers, but you don’t need to be scaling a mountain to get in on gorpcore. The name comes from “Good Ol’ Raisins and Peanuts” – the classic scroggin mix beloved by hikers – and has since evolved into a fashion category of its own. Think technical outerwear, relaxed trousers, trail shoes and practical accessories, styled for everyday life rather than the great outdoors.
The trick? Look like you could go hiking, not like you’re actually going hiking.
Once reserved for serious outdoor enthusiasts and the carefully curated feeds of people who somehow made tramping look impossibly chic, gorpcore has officially moved beyond the trail. And lately, it’s had another fashion moment thanks to Timothée Chalamet.
The actor recently swapped red carpets for the Dolomites, embracing the laid-back, practical dressing the trend was made for. His holiday wardrobe felt decidedly unfussy – and so did the holiday itself. Among the mountain views were snaps of Chalamet eating pizza on the couch, posing with his dad and enjoying an ice cream. It was casual, unpolished and refreshingly normal.
That’s the appeal of gorpcore: fashion that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and one that has made a strong case for the ‘ugly shoe’. Chunky trail runners, hiking shoes and unapologetically practical footwear have suddenly become fashion’s favourite finishing touch. And while the Dolomites have become synonymous with influencers dressing for the photo rather than the hike, gorpcore takes a more relaxed approach – clothes that can handle the outdoors but look just as cool back in the city.
And you don’t need a plane ticket to Italy to try it. In New Zealand, the easiest way to wear gorpcore is to borrow the best bits – a technical jacket here, a fleece there, a pair of gloriously chunky trail sneakers for good measure – and mix them with what’s already in your wardrobe (or, better yet, your dad’s).
The key is restraint. You probably don’t need the waterproof shell, cargo trousers, hiking boots, fleece and backpack all at once – unless you really are heading into the wilderness. Instead, let one outdoorsy piece take the lead and keep everything else decidedly city-friendly.
Here’s how to make gorpcore look chic, not like you’re actually going hiking.
