BRAVING THE ELEMENTS

Director, Writer and Photographer: Owen Preece Stylist: Kelsey Bigelow

Models: Gracious Oriakhi, Caterina Jardini, Caleb Henderer

Beyond the specialty materials used in techwear garments, understanding how to style an outfit is equally important. Techwear ranges from baggy and shapeless to fitted to everywhere in between. Balancing your fit and keeping everything proportional is key.

Start with a base layer. In moderate climates, this could be as simple as a long sleeve shirt and a good pair of hard-working pants; something that moves well. If you live in a colder place, technical fabrics like polyester blends are a good way to go.

Next is a mid-layer. Depending on the weather this could be the most visible layer or it could be mostly hidden under a shell jacket. For comfort in cold environments, utilize highly insulating gear such as a down jacket or a wool sweater. Sweaters lean more towards “casual mountain man” but if you are interested in the urban genre of techwear, I suggest finding a lightweight mid-layer as these garments are typically geared towards performance activities and will have a more futuristic feel.

If you need an exterior layer, cover your core with a Gore-Tex shell. For wind and light rain, a windbreaker can add a high-tech feel as well as extra protection from the elements but keeps weight and bulk minimal.

In terms of shoe choice, making sure your shoe’s profile isn’t too large or too thin will balance your outfit without giving the appearance of disproportionate feet. Thicker, wider-cut pants allow room for larger silhouettes like boots or a mid-height sneaker but make shoes that don’t fill the pant leg (e.g. Nike Air Vapormax) look small. If runners and next-to-skin shoes are more your type, look at tapered pants or three quarter length pants.

To finish off a techwear look, a technical bag makes room for your essentials and adds volume to thinner areas in your fit: chest, back, etc. Crossbody bags, waist packs, and rolltop backpacks are all viable options.

Caterina wears insulated vest, nylon pants, and faux leather boots Caterina wears Gore Tex poncho, nylon pants, and faux leather boots

Caleb wears down parka featuring insulated scarf Caleb wears down parka with Dickies pants and Danner boots