Regardless of whether you’re hitting the slopes this winter or staying in the city, when the temperature drops, achieving the cosy, chic and nostalgic après-ski look is always in style.
The widely used French term, which literally translates to ‘after ski’, was made popular in the 50s, 60s and 70s, when leisurely skiing was taken up by members of high society. Nowadays, the phrase commonly refers to all the entertainment and fun events held after a day of skiing, with official après-ski activities tending to commence in the late afternoon and carrying on until the wee hours of the morning.
During their time in the limelight, legendary fashion icons and screen sirens including Brigitte Bardot, Grace Kelly, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Romy Schneider and Charlotte Rampling were often spotted at famed ski resorts wearing effortlessly elegant ski fashion looks that were not only weather-appropriate but also fashionable, functional and fuss-free — thus, the après-ski style was born.
Whether it was in St. Moritz, Aspen, Courchevel, Gstaad or another other exotic ski resort, the ideal après-ski wardrobe, spotted on these remarkable women, consisted of only a few essentials that could be worn over and over again.
Bardot, Hepburn and Jackie O would often sport a pair of giant oversized sunglasses to elevate their polished off-piste look and shield themselves from the sun (or crowding paparazzi). A roundish pair with coloured gradient lenses, available at Chloé, will give off a cool 70s vibe, while Louis Vuitton’s fashion-forward styles in glossy black acetate would go well with practically anything in the closet. Alternatively, a pair of 60s-inspired frosted white frames from either Saint Laurent or Celine will undoubtedly stand out.