The Best Luxury Looks for Après-Ski This Year

Team Snow, look alive! This one is for you. As much as we love to ski and snowboard (and as you know, we really do), the sweetest part of a ski weekend can be après-ski. When we ask friends about the best places in the world to ski, part of the conversation is always about what there is do after everyone comes off the mountain. Which leads us to an even more pressing question: what to wear après-ski? Our correspondent Julie Chang Murphy has come to our rescue with her style tips on the the best luxury looks for après-ski this year.

what to wear après-ski?

A wise, vintage TSA poster once advertised in a Vermont ski rental shop, “There is more to skiing than snow.” I was 10 and mostly mortified by the gigantic 90’s neon puffer I was wearing.

What I wouldn’t give to have it back now and rock it on the streets of New York! Like many beginners, I ended up sliding down the green trail on my bottom. But the sweet relief of hot chocolate and prying off my ski boots awaited me, and left me feeling like I was literally walking on air.

Twenty some years later, those words ring truer than ever as my husband, a former Beaver Creek ski instructor, and I make the annual haul with our three children to the slopes. It’s not the picturesque scene I always imagine leading up to the mountain (or even while skiing) but the après ski, I’m all in for: the drinks, the food, the gossip, and the fashion.

All of us at Dandelion Chandelier admit to ascribing to one of the 4 après ski archetypes at one time or another: 1. Romantic Snow Bunny 2. Vaguely Foreign Royalty 3. Preppy Sport and 4. Retro Chic.

This winter, there is no sense in just limiting yourself to one look. Pick a few luxe statements pieces to pack and you can switch it up depending on your mood.

Here are our picks for the the best luxury looks for après-ski this year, no matter who you decide to be each night.

the best luxury looks for après-ski this year

1. Sweaters

Make sure you have a hardworking base layer– we love Hanro and Arc’teryx for their non-itchy and luxurious feeling textiles. We believe this mid-layer should either be a crisp, pristine white or a burst of intense color for maximum visual impact. And then go ahead and have some fun with your outer layer!

For cuddles by the crackling fire, tap into your romantic snow bunny with this Valentino wool and cashmere sweater ($2,790). The ruffles and form-fitting bodice make this a forever sweater. 

On the other hand, if you’re dressing to impress, See by Chloe’s ornate intarsia wool-blend sweater ($354) will have everyone thinking you’re an Italian Marchesa off on holiday.

For a preppy and sporty look, we love Perfect Moment’s “Ski” roll-neck sweater ($250). And Frame’s Apres Ski sweater ($330). Ganni’s Scandi-inspired high neck wool blend sweater ($530) and Nili Lotan’s chocolate brown Adene Fair Isle sweater ($595) hit just the right retro ski chalet vibes.

2. Pants, jumpsuits, sweats and leggings

The perfect bottoms for apres-ski are, in our view, above all comfortable. Lots of chic people just toss on a pair of sweats. If you’re among them, we’ve got some ideas. However, if you want to be just a wee bit more dressed up than that, there are also some excellent options that are comfy and flattering and that will play well with your persona for the evening.

Romantic types might want to stick with the soft pastel theme. These Brunello Cucinelli cashmere sweatpants ($2,995) are ultra-luxurious. Theory’s cashmere track pants ($495) are a fraction of the cost, and channel that same winter-white cuddly look and feel.

For a more edgy and glamorous vibe, you cannot go wrong with stretch-black leather trousers from The Row ($2,343). They have enough “give” to keep you comfortable, and they hug your curves in all the right places.

Off the slopes, you can’t go wrong with a pair of time-honored blue jeans for the preppy sport vibe. But if you want a fresh element, we’d go with these crisp white Mila silhouette AG Jeans; they have a “super high-rise” cut with a skinny fit ($250). And we kinda feel that this pink silk Prada jumpsuit ($2,540) was tailor-made for an elegant après-ski look.

3. Scarves

For classic romance, a soft dove grey scarf is lovely finishing touch. We vote for this version from Acne Studios ($160). If you want to take it to a whole new level, go with Dries van Noten’s floral down-padded silk scarf in charcoal grey ($705).

Surely an undercover royal would opt for Gucci’s bubble-gum pink scarf ($430) for an eye-catching pop of color. And for a sweet retro vibe, we love this scarf from AMI with the label’s signature heart logo appliquéd onto one side ($188).

4. Hats

If there is one great equalizer on the slopes, it’s hat head. No matter how well-coiffed you are and how much you espouse your love for your Dyson blow dryer, it happens to all of us. Don’t fight it. Think of these hats as your crowning glory.

Snow bunnies will love the winter romance of hat from Fendi; it’s designed in Italy with snow white technical fabric and speckled brown fur with matching pom-poms ($1,790). A softer take on a knit beanie, Burberry’s ribbed version is embellished with tortoiseshell ($400). Channel your inner Norma Desmond with this faux pearl beaded turban from Maryjane Claverol ($391).

Maison Michel’s black Bibiana shearling trapper hat ($820) is sophisticated and versatile. Preppies will love the playful vibe of Ganni’s color-blocked pink, beige and khaki-green beanie ($100). And for old school retro glamour, what could be better than a velvet baseball cap from Gucci ($530)?

5. Boots

These luxe boots are made for walking…in the snow AND in the lodge. Personally, this is my favorite category to make an après-ski statement. Regardless of which style you lean towards, any of these designs should add an extra pep in that lumbering step after the ski boots come off.

If you’re going for the sweet and romantic vibe, these charcoal-grey Ugg suede boots ($229) will keep your look grounded and chic. Or opt for bling with Viv’ Run Snow boots from Roger Vivier ($1,295). Sporty types might like Bogner’s Copenhagen leather snow boots  – they come in a delicious shade of copper that will light up everything in your après-ski wardrobe. These white Monaco Low WP 2 snow boots from Moon Boot are crafted from water-proof technical nylon ($190), while Prada’s white leather boots channel a retro Italian Alps vibe ($1,100).

6. Handbags

Once you’re off the mountain, you’ll need a chic bag for your nighttime adventures. Romantics will love this cuddly and crisp Stand Studio Lola faux fur tote ($177). If you’re in “princess from some chic foreign land” mode, then you have to go with Olympia Tan-Le‘s new line of clutches that pay homage to the Golden Age of Skiing in Gstaad.

the best luxury looks for après-ski this year

That’s our advice on what to wear après-ski this year.  What’s at the top of your list? Who will you be in the ski lodge this weekend?

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Crediting her training as a cultural anthropologist at Wellesley College, Julie has immersed herself in various industries in the last 15 years including fashion design, event planning, fitness and even investigating police misconduct. Julie lives in NYC where she loves trying every ramen and dumpling restaurant with her husband and three children. She finds joy in bold prints, biographies of fierce women, kickboxing and spending way too long finding the perfect polish color to express her mood.

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