Aspen Style – Mastering All-Season Wardrobe Essentials
Aspen style is more than a look, it’s a feeling. It varies by season but is always impeccable and stylish yet timeless. What goes into putting together a seamless Aspen outfit?
Here are some Aspen style ideas to emulate:
Metallics
Alo yoga gear
Fleece-lined leggings
Equestrian attire
Layers and more layers
Fur (or faux fur)
Cream colors
This guide will offer advice for dressing in Aspen for all four seasons. Whether you’re looking for more information on a casual dress code or you want to put together a stunning outfit for the ski slopes, we have plenty of ideas ahead, so don’t miss it.
Aspen Outfit Guide – What to Wear by Season
Aspen experiences all four seasons, which is part of what makes it such a beloved travel destination. No matter which time of the year you decide to visit, you’ll want to dress your best for activities from skiing to strolling and shopping.
Here’s a seasonal outfit guide for the whole family.
Winter
Most people who visit Aspen do so in the winter, as that’s when the ski slopes are brimming with fresh snow. The average temperatures in winter are between 17 and 44 degrees Fahrenheit. Part of why it gets so cold has to do with the elevated altitude.
What do you need to wear for skiing? You’ll have to layer up to accommodate for the cold. A fitted ski suit will look warm and stylish, or you can always wear a pair of ski pants with a plush workout jacket or a thick sweater (but not so thick as to inhibit mobility).
You can also put together a ski outfit from head to toe with warm ski socks, fleece-lined tights or thermal leggings, and a sweater. Don’t forget the ski goggles to protect your peepers and a beanie or knitted hat for your head and ears.
As for the kiddos, they need a thicker base layer. Synthetics or merino wool are great materials. An insulating mid-layer bottom and top will also keep them on the slopes longer.
Dress up the children in heavy ski socks, waterproof snow pants, an insulated waterproof hooded coat, and a balaclava or neck gaiter to reduce exposed skin.
All the poles, skis, boots, and helmets you need for skiing as a family down the Aspen slopes are available for rent.
Spring
When spring arrives, it’s still cold in Aspen, with average temperatures of 35 to 63 degrees. If you missed winter skiing season, you can still enjoy skiing into the spring.
Other excellent activities to partake in during a springtime vacation in Aspen include mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, and shopping.
Since the temperatures are chilly most days, it’s a great idea to layer up. If riding by horseback, a stylish pair of denim or fleece-lined leggings with paddock boots in brown or black will look equestrian chic.
Wearing a fitted top is important to prevent your clothing from getting caught up in the horse equipment. If it’s cold enough where you have to wear a coat, a close-fitting coat is best.
The kids can be your mini-mes when horseback riding, wearing a similar getup but sized for them. They might need thicker layers to combat the cold.
Aspen has no shortage of hiking trails for all experience levels, with the Maroon Bells a favorite.
It’s still pants weather when hiking, even on a nicer spring day, so wear fitted pants. Moisture-wicking, water-resistant materials are more important than ever in the in-between weather.
Cushioned, comfortable hiking boots, merino wool socks, and a waterproof jacket will round out your ensemble.
The children should wear quick-drying materials too. Layer them up with a comfortable and close-fitting base layer, an unrestrictive middle layer, and a warming outer layer that’s lighter-weight than their winter gear.
Summer
You might be used to sweltering summertime temps, but it never gets overly hot in Aspen. The average June temperature is 64 degrees, and in July, it’s 73 degrees.
Summer is the ideal time for hiking, horseback riding, paragliding, or shopping. There’s fun for the whole family!
Although you’re used to lightening your wardrobe considerably in the summer, that’s not the most recommended course of action in Aspen. No matter what kinds of activities you and the children have on the itinerary, you should still plan to layer up.
When outdoors, now is a fine time for shorts or capris for the adults. If you wish to wear pants, select a lightweight, moisture-wicking pair.
The children should wear similar attire, reducing exposed skin when hiking to lower their risk of ticks.
Lightweight long sleeves serve as a good base layer. Atop that, you might wear a short-sleeved shirt or a sleeveless jacket. All the materials should wick away moisture.
Autumn
If you’re chasing cool autumnal temperatures, Aspen is a fantastic place to visit. In September, the temperatures average a very comfortable 64 degrees, and by November, drops to around 36 degrees as the average.
You and the family can stroll through farmer’s markets, go on a crisp hike, or take a scenic drive along Aspen’s winding roads.
Now is the time to reintroduce layers back into your daily ensembles. Ladies can’t go wrong in a pair of jeans with a puffer jacket, a sweater dress, graphic tees and cardigans, a thick leather or denim jacket, and booties or boots.
For the fellas, denim pants, casual button-down shirts with a t-shirt underneath, mid-weight flannels, and even a light sweater are all Aspen-appropriate. Accessorize with sneakers or trendy loafers and a nice hat.
As for the children, you can dress them fashionably and weather appropriately in layers. Don’t discount lightweight sweaters or light fleeces this time of year. They should certainly wear long sleeves and pants.
Aspen Casual Dress Code
Aspen chic is a casual aesthetic that still incorporates luxury brands. You’ll most often see people dressed in this Aspen style for everyday activities such as shopping, casual dining, and strolling through Aspen.
The casual dress code here is sophisticated yet funky. In some regards, almost anything goes, but you’re still expected to look put-together, just with less emphasis on the dress code than what you might see on the slopes.
You can throw on your favorite trendy Kemo Sabe hat with a pair of leggings and call it a day. You will see all sorts of styles during the day.
Let’s go over what to expect of Aspen’s casual dress code.
In the autumn and winter, keeping warm and staying casual is easy in garb like moon boots, fur boats, fur coat, athletic apparel, metallic ski clothes, rhinestone ski jackets, and designer women’s onesies from MyTheresa, Cordova, and Gorsuch.
In the spring and summer, you could spot locals and tourists alike spotting On Cloud hiking shoes and luxury hiking and yoga apparel from brands like Alo.
7 Aspen Outfit Ideas for All the Activities on Your Itinerary
Are you still struggling to come up with what to wear during your stay in Aspen? Here are some outfit ideas you’ll want to replicate!
1. Single-Colored Chic
A monochrome style looks effortlessly put-together because you match from head to toe. You don’t have to try too hard, so even sweatpants and sneakers can look chic, such as seen here.
Luxury lifestyle blogger Lindsay Liberman looks ready for a day of shopping or relaxing in a ski lounge in her single-color creamy look.
The cream color invokes warmth, and the various textures create visual dimension and interest. The inclusion of the fleecy fanny pack not only breaks up the sweatshirt and sweatpants she’s wearing but is also useful for bringing everyday essentials.
Coat: Apparis Bree Faux Fur Coat
Sweatshirt: Anine Bing Sport Evan Sweatshirt
Sweatpants: Anine Bing Sport Evan Jogger
2. Shine Bright Like a Diamond
Metallics are a huge component of Aspen chic, such as seen here.
This Aspen style makes you more reflective on the ski slopes and is tirelessly trendy. Metallics also throwback to the 2000s style that’s currently enjoying a resurgence.
If you only want to dip your toes into metallics, try a silvery ski jacket or shiny pants, but only one or the other. If you’re ready to dive head-first into the trend, pair metallics on metallics. A matching look is great, but you can contrast metallics if you wish.
Jacket: Perfect Moment Star Hooded Cropped Quilted Metallic Ski Jacket
Boots: Moncler Insolux Metallic Leather and Padded Shell Ankle Boots
3. Black and White Never Tires
How about a look the fellas can emulate? As seen on The Fashionisto in a Zack Pricer editorial for Aspen Peak, men’s Aspen style is simple but electric. Black and white especially is a fantastic color palette for wintertime activities. Take a look.
A style like this can seamlessly transition from the ski slopes to shopping and everything in between. The black and white striped turtleneck lends this look an upscale style while the streamlined black pants and winter boots make it seasonal.
4. Fanny Packs for the Win
What’s old always becomes new again, which explains why fanny packs are back in rotation. Around Aspen, you’re likely to see fanny packs from designer brands such as Gucci or Channel.
This Gucci jumbo GG bag in bright orange leather would look exceptional when paired with a metallic ski jacket. You could also wear it with an all-orange ensemble if you’re feeling bold.
At the very least, it would make a head-turning accessory with a denim jacket or winter coat.
5. Gorsuch Style
Aspen style always includes at least some Gorsuch, a popular local clothing store. You can fashionably layer up here in styles such as the Jet Set Vega Glam down coat.
With its metallic sheen, its right on-point so you can nail that Aspen chic look. Made of ripstop fabric with thermal insulation, that and its long length also makes it exceptionally warm for those icy cold winter days.
6. Texture and Shape
Lifestyle blogger Mallory Sauer of Sweet and Sauer put together a simple yet stylish look for her trip to Aspen that you can easily replicate when visiting in the winter, early spring, or late autumn.
The look consists of a fluffy ivory faux fur coat, a matching ivory V-neck shirt, light-washed skinny jeans, a gray fedora, dark sunglasses, winter boots, and a small brown leather purse.
With a look like this, you’re ready for a day of shopping and relaxation.
Coat (similar to original): H&M Faux Fur Jacket
Sunglasses: Celine 41026/ S 0JAH Burgundy Brown/X9 Brown Lenses
Bag: Gucci Blondie Small Shoulder Bag
7. Alo Style
Another brand that resonates with Aspenites is Alo Yoga. Their selection of stylish gear for all seasons can fill your wardrobe no matter what kinds of activities you have on the itinerary.
The Muse set by Alo is comfortable Aspen street style for lounging about after a long day spent skiing. The ribbed material in both the sweatshirt and sweatpants feels soft and looks stylish.
The cropped top has side slits and a lightweight profile that makes it ideal for those late winter/early spring days when many people wonder what to wear. You can also get away with this set into the autumn.
Sweatshirt: Alo Muse Hoodie
Sweatpants: Alo Muse Sweatpant
Plan your aspen chic getaway
Wherever you go in Aspen, it’s impossible to miss people walking around in that trademark Aspen style. There’s no one definition of Aspen chic, but you know it when you see it. It’s a combination of plush yet trendy, comfortable yet Instagrammable, modern yet timeless.
Now that you know what to wear, you’re ready to begin planning your Aspen getaway!
BY: RACHEL NAIDUS
Rachel is the Principal & Founder of Aspen Luxury Concierge. For over a decade, she has cut her teeth in the luxury hospitality services business. Since 2019, she has led ALC’s premier staff in creating luxury, effortless experiences for its clients. With her ever growing network of partners, vendors, and clientele, Rachel leads the pack in providing expert services to Aspen luxury travelers and locals.