Posts Tagged fashion
Columbia Sportswear’s Fashion and Function for the “It Girl”
Columbia Sportswear didn’t get so popular without some clever marketing and equally clever design to back it up. After spending 16 hours surfing the manufacturer’s booths at the winter Outdoor Retailers show, it was easy for me to get a little cynical. Are there really major noticeable differences between 500 fleece jackets or 200 different pairs of hiking socks?
I capped the show off though with something that reminded me why there’s a lot to celebrate about the current crop of wonder apparel: a fashion show from Columbia. The company slid me into a VIP seat next to the runway where I could be dazzled by their form-meets-function collection for women that will be hitting the stores this coming fall.
I gotta say I like their attitude. They say this collection is for the “it girl” out there, who may be in her 20s but may be a 40-something mother. She bikes, she snowboards, she hikes, but she works, she pounds the city pavement, and she runs errands. What she wears needs to be comfortable and warm but look good. Her clothes need to do more than one thing. They need to do what they promise without a lot of fuss.
That’s my paraphrasing of a more finely-tuned marketing message, one you’ll surely have seen a lot of by this time next year. Based on what I saw, touched, and tried on, however, they back up the hype with great technology and design.
Enjoy the fashion show video above, especially if you thought that being warm in the outdoors and looking great had to be mutually exclusive.
For more on what’s out there now, visit Columbia.com or search for Columbia at your local retailer, REI.com or Backcountry.com.
Posted by Tim L. in Adventure Gear, General Gear, Travel Light on January 24th, 2010
Cool Hats – Great Names from Nobis
My travel wardrobe changes a lot depending on the kind of trip it is, but I always carry a couple hats along, including some kind of baseball hat or cap. The people at Nobis let me try out something from their spring line though and I’m waltzing around a city in Mexico with Oliver Closeoff.
Yes, all their hats have names, and great ones too. If you are ever looking for a funny fake name to give the hostess at the restaurant or when leaving a message for a friend, just pop over to the Nobis site for ideas.
Oliver is pictured above. The other two here are Colette Iday and Iriel Hassle. A few gems from the men’s line are Mack Aroni and Watson Yurface. I love a company that doesn’t take its “designer wear” too seriously.
Fortunately, the gimmick is backed up by quality workmanship. Many of these hats look like nothing 
you’ve seen in the stores (in a good way) and they’re built to last. Here is a description of the Hugh Demann one just to give you an idea of what goes into these:
Paper Straw. Textured Cotton/Linen. Print detailing on front panel and peak. Front piping details. Nobis button snap on front right crown. Velcro back closure. Nobis quick-dry wicking sweatband. Peak made from recycled PE materials.
Some are one-size-fits-all with elastic, while others have some type of adjustable band. The model I’ve been wearing has a built-in stash pocket, so another place to keep some money hidden while you travel.
I can’t promise that if you spend the $35 to $60 these retail for that you’re going to look like these lovely models (it didn’t work for me), but I do feel a good bit less frumpy wearing Oliver Closeoff around town instead of some tired baseball hat with a logo.
Check the Nobis dealer locater page to find where to pick up one near you.
Posted by Tim L. in General Gear on June 16th, 2009
