How to be stylish when you're skiing The challenge of being glamorous below zero

Putting together a decent outfit can already be complex enough when temperatures are above zero, but when snow is raging, roads are icing over, and the duvet seems like the only piece of clothing we'd ever want to wear, what do you do? Despite the harsh climate and impractical roads, celebrities have made snow vacations a staple of glamorous lifestyle, from the impeccable altitude-proof makeup of Brigitte Bardot, to Cher's glittery ensembles in the '80s, through the noisily Y2K looks of Victoria Beckham and Paris Hilton: being stylish in the snow? It's possible, but with a few small precautions.

One style or many?

From the 1930s to today, snow clothing has undergone numerous transformations, thanks to the development of increasingly efficient thermal and waterproof fabrics—from nylon to GORE-TEX technologies—and the progressive integration of these garments into our everyday wardrobe. Arc'teryx, Patagonia, Columbia, The North Face and many others: if there's one thing streetwear has left us, it's the fascination with functional pieces, which however do not escape styling issues.

There are two paths: embracing winter clothing in all its extravagance with prints and shades, as taught by the icons of the '80s—Brooke Shields, Lady D, Cher, or more recently the bright yellow outfits of Dua Lipa and David Beckham or the Dior monogram flaunted a few winters ago in Aspen by Kendall Jenner—or relying on the reassuring charm of monochrome.

After all, it's well known that ski wardrobe with its layers certainly doesn't flatter the figure, which is why many celebrities opt for black: this is the case with Kim Kardashian, who for her family vacations has always preferred total black from Prada Linea Rossa or full Moncler looks, and the same goes for Kate Moss, or at least it was before the accident on the Swiss Alps in 2016 that cost her a broken leg.

Icons of the past

From mirrored sunglasses to fur gloves, accessories are essential when it comes to being chic and staying warm. Cher, in Aspen in 1977, with a tight fuchsia headband, and Princess Diana, in Klosters in 1986, with a white and red braided headband, steal the show when it comes to vintage inspiration for headwear.

Both on the slopes and off, Brigitte Bardot is the reference point for oversized oval sunglasses, while Sophia Loren pairs classic aviators with a Christmas sweater and a bold red scarf in a 1978 shot of her on the slopes. Ski clothing becomes sexy with the advent of the 2000s, when icons like Paris Hilton and Victoria Beckham flaunt low-rise snow pants, oversized mirrored glasses, and fur-trimmed jackets, paving the way for the trendsetters and influencers of the new generation.

Between Moonboots and total Fendi or Chanel looks, for Kylie Jenner snow vacations are a style exercise, yet, despite the effort, the most viral moments belong to her sister Kendall, from that time she posed in a bikini and yeti boots surrounded by snow or the dark green Loewe bomber that became the most coveted item for the perfect winter wardrobe. So, whatever path you choose for your snow outfit, the prospects for an Instagrammable moment in the Alps are all there.

Takeaways

- Even in harsh cold and snow, it’s possible to be elegant and glamorous on the slopes, as demonstrated by stars who have turned snow vacations into a style icon from the past to the present.

- Snow clothing has evolved thanks to advanced technical fabrics, integrating into everyday streetwear, but it requires careful styling to avoid the "bulky" effect.

- Two main approaches dominate: the reassuring monochrome (often total black, like Kim Kardashian and Kate Moss) or the colorful and printed extravagance of '80s icons and contemporary celebs like Dua Lipa and Kendall Jenner.

- Accessories such as oversized sunglasses, headbands, and fur details are essential to complete a chic and warm look, drawing inspiration from legends like Brigitte Bardot, Cher, Princess Diana, and Paris Hilton.