As the Winter Olympics approach, the fashion world is bracing for its own kind of spectacle — one that unfolds not on the slopes, but in what we wear while watching, traveling, and living in between. Historically, the Games have always triggered a cold-weather style reset, ushering alpine influences from the mountains into everyday wardrobes. But for Winter 2026, après-ski fashion isn’t just back — it’s evolving.
This season marks a shift away from novelty ski clichés toward something sleeker, smarter, and far more wearable. Think less costume, more lifestyle. Less chalet cosplay, more après-street polish.
According to fashion expert Kimberly Carney, CEO of FashWire — and who works with hundreds of notable brands including Cynthia Rowley, Rebecca Minkoff, and Karl Lagerfeld Paris — the Olympics act as a cultural accelerator, reviving nostalgic silhouettes while pushing new winter dressing codes into the mainstream.
“Luxe après-ski–inspired sets will be everywhere during and after the Olympics,” Carney predicts. “Fitted quarter-zips, yoga pant sets, and streamlined jumpsuits are being styled with warm, tactile accessories like fuzzy hats, plush gloves, and cozy headbands. It’s an easy way to stay comfortable while still turning heads during everyday errands.”
From the Slopes to the Street: How Après-Ski Became a Fashion Staple
Après-ski style has always existed at the intersection of sport and spectacle. In the 1960s and ’70s, it was defined by jet-set glamour — think fur-trimmed parkas, bold knits, and oversized sunglasses worn in St. Moritz or Aspen. By the 2000s, it became playful and logo-driven, often bordering on novelty.
Winter 2026 marks a return to restraint. The modern take is less about signaling that you ski — and more about dressing like you could. The rise of elevated athleisure, performance-inspired tailoring, and luxe winter fabrics has transformed après-ski into a year-round aesthetic that works just as well in Milan or New York as it does in Courchevel.
Carney refers to this shift as “après-street” style — a hybrid of athletic ease and city polish that reflects how people actually live now. Matching sets in elevated neutrals, sculpting jumpsuits, and refined layers create outfits that move seamlessly from travel days to coffee runs to casual dinners.
Winter 2026 Trend Forecast: The Key Looks Defining the Season
1. Après-Street Sets
The foundation of Winter 2026 dressing starts with coordinated pieces that feel intentional but effortless. Carney points to streamlined zip-ups and bootcut leggings as essential building blocks, especially when styled in elevated colorways beyond basic black or gray. Accessories do the heavy lifting here — oversized sunglasses, textured hats, and statement gloves add warmth and visual interest without overpowering the look.
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2. Vintage Team Spirit
Every Olympics brings a renewed sense of national pride, and fashion is no exception. This time, it’s less about loud logos and more about heritage references. “There’s always a resurgence of vintage country style during the Olympics,” Carney explains. “Fashion-forward watchers want to rep their home country without sacrificing style.” She cites archival inspiration from brands like Ralph Lauren and Levi’s, where rugby polos, oversized sweatshirts, and retro graphics feel nostalgic yet timeless.
The result? An “old money” sportswear revival that feels subtle, confident, and enduring well beyond the Games.
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3. Chunky Winter Boots
Footwear continues to ground the trend cycle — literally. Chunky boots remain dominant, with Moon Boots and snow-shoe-inspired silhouettes leading the charge. “That momentum is not slowing down,” Carney notes, highlighting fold-over and convertible styles that balance function with fashion. Paired with a body-skimming jumpsuit or relaxed denim, these boots anchor winter outfits with attitude rather than excess.
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Luxury Goes Alpine: High-End Brands Embrace the Mountains
While the Winter Olympics have always driven style inspiration, Winter 2026 has seen brands take that momentum and channel it into collections that feel both rooted in mountain heritage and undeniably street-ready. From heritage ski wear to fashion-forward collaborations and covetable capsule drops, these are the ones shaping how we’ll be dressing through the season.
Perfect Moment: The Original Alpine Cool
No conversation about contemporary après-ski style is complete without Perfect Moment. Founded in Chamonix with performance at its core, the brand has become synonymous with elevated alpine dressing — balancing technical ski wear and cozy winter staples that feel just as chic at a chalet as they do on city streets. Its seasonal offerings span luxe knitwear, streamlined jumpsuits, and statement accessories — and the brand’s signature star motif and refined neutrals now feel like a universal language for winter chic.
This winter, Perfect Moment further democratized its aesthetic with a 28-piece H&M collaboration, marrying the label’s sleek silhouettes and rich colorways (burgundy, icy blue, silver) with accessible price points across jackets, coordinated sets, and après-ski accessories. That collection has become a favorite for both slopeside lounging and everyday cold-weather dressing.
PAPERLondon x Six Senses Residences Courchevel: Quiet Luxury Meets Alpine Heritage
Perhaps the season’s most thoughtful fashion-meets-travel collaboration comes from PAPERLondon and Six Senses Residences Courchevel, celebrating the hotel’s 10-year anniversary with a limited alpaca capsule. Designed for life both in and around winter destinations, the collection focuses on elevated knitwear and refined layering that feels equally at home at a chalet or luxury lounge.
Rather than leaning into overt ski tropes, this capsule embodies quiet luxury — pieces with enduring silhouettes, tactile fabrics, and a sense of tactile sophistication that speaks to a more considered approach to seasonal dressing. It’s winter wear calibrated for the modern traveler who prizes both comfort and form.
Off Season x Team USA: The New Fan-Forward Capsule
A newer player making big noise this season is Off Season, the fashion-meets-sports apparel brand co-founded by designer Kristin Juszczyk and entrepreneur Emma Grede. Initially gaining attention for its viral puffers and modern streetwear aesthetic, Off Season this year dropped a limited-edition Winter Olympics collaboration with Team USA — complete with puffers, snowsuits, sweaters, and cold-weather accessories that fuse performance functionality with expressive design and patriotic energy.
This drop gives the Olympic wardrobe category a fresh twist: pieces that feel equally at home cheering at a medal event or layered into an après-ski-meets-city look, embodying the spirit of the Games without relying purely on traditional souvenirs. Its mix of bold textures and spirited accents has landed the brand on the radar of fashion insiders, especially among those who love a statement cold-weather piece.
Heritage and High Fashion: Luxe Ski and Olympic Collaborations
Several legacy fashion houses are also leaning into the Winter Olympics moment in ways that transcend function — turning uniforms and capsule collections into objects of desire. Ralph Lauren, long the official outfitter for Team USA, has unveiled a collection for Milano-Cortina 2026 that blends classic Americana with ski-inspired layering and retro sweaters that feel as collectible as they are wearable.
Nike x Jacquemus continues to bridge technical performance and couture minimalism, with an après-ski capsule that pairs retro-inspired outerwear and base layers with fashion-first silhouettes and modern color stories — proof that sport and style no longer operate in separate lanes. Luxury houses like Moncler’s Grenoble are likewise amplifying alpine dressing with high-performance winter wear that feels runway-ready, emphasizing refined tailoring and technical innovation.
Together, these collections — whether high-glamour collabs or technical staples — are redefining what winter style can be in 2026: purposeful, polished, and effortlessly social. They reflect a season that doesn’t just dress for the mountains, but brings that mountain-inspired confidence into every corner of cold-weather life.
Affordable, Fashion-Forward Finds That Still Feel Luxe
What makes this winter moment particularly exciting is its accessibility. While luxury brands set the tone, Carney emphasizes that style-savvy shoppers don’t need a designer budget to participate. Elevated athleisure brands, vintage-inspired denim, and thoughtfully designed accessories allow consumers to tap into the trend without sacrificing quality or taste.
Her advice? Focus on shape, fabric, and styling rather than labels. A sculpting jumpsuit, a heritage-inspired knit, or a statement boot can instantly elevate a winter wardrobe — especially when mixed thoughtfully.
The Takeaway: Winter 2026 Is About Intentional Dressing
As the Winter Olympics draw closer, one thing is clear: après-ski style is no longer confined to the lodge. For Winter 2026, it’s a mindset — rooted in comfort, heritage, and quiet confidence. Whether you’re watching from the sofa, traveling to the mountains, or simply dressing for a cold-weather city life, the new rules of winter fashion prioritize versatility over flash.
And if the trends unfolding now are any indication, the most stylish looks this season won’t scream “Olympics” — they’ll whisper timeless.
