Opinion - How Gorpcore is Redefining Fashion's Trend Cycle

How Gorpcore is Redefining Fashion's Trend Cycle

By: Cecilia Georgitis

Walking around campus it's not hard to spot an average Chapman student rocking a beat-up Carhartt jacket. But it is pretty clear they are on their way to their Math 100 class and not going to perform manual labor at a nearby construction site. The same goes for students wearing Arcteryx beanies in 70-degree weather.  We are in Southern California. I promise you your ears are not going to get that cold.  If you are into fashion, I'm sure you have heard of brands such as Carhartt and Arcteryx, brands originally made for manual labor and outdoor activities that have become popular with vintage resellers and self-proclaimed fashion boys. Over the past few years, we have seen the emergence of outdoor brands such as these being worn for style over practically, a trend commonly referred to as “Gorpcore” or “Workwear.” The question is, are these outdoor brands going to stay popular, or will they be lost in the never-ending trend cycle? 

The trend cycle I’m referring to is the phenomenon of brands and pieces becoming wildly popular, only to fall out of style within a few months. When I think of the trend cycle, I think of brands like Edikted and Shein. These brands sell cheaply made, mass-produced clothes at low prices, which are in high demand, especially among Chapman students. And in a school with $80k-a-year tuition, I can’t blame students for wanting to save money; we’re all already going into enough debt as it is. However, these low prices lead to overconsumption, and as we constantly buy new clothes, we see trends cycling in and out at an incredibly rapid pace. Chunky rings and bows on everything are just a couple of victims of this imploding trend cycle. Although in the fashion world today it is a norm for trends to only last a short period of time, I believe the outdoor wear trend is here to stay.

In my opinion, the reason outdoor brands have not fallen out of style yet (and will not any time soon) is due to the quality and timeliness of their pieces. Carhartt for example hasn't changed anything about their clothes to appeal to their newfound consumers. The most popular pieces such as the chore coat and double-knee cargos have been in the brand’s production line for years. Unlike popular brands such as Urban Outfitters and H&M, outdoor brands such as Carhartt are not constantly redesigning new pieces in hopes of encouraging customers to buy more, their pieces are known for their durability and practicality and therefore will always be in high demand. I also believe the clean silhouettes and fit of their pieces will keep them in style for future years.

The growing popularity of outdoor wear does have its downsides. Increased demand has driven up prices for outdoor brands, with resellers inflating costs and making certain items inaccessible. For example, in the Circle, Carhartt jackets are being sold for over a hundred dollars at stores like Timeless Vintage. Fake versions of popular designs are also emerging, such as replica North Face jackets available on Pandabuy, but these don’t match the quality of the original pieces. In my opinion, it’s better to invest in one high-quality piece you love rather than dozens of items that will end up sitting in the back of your closet. I also believe everyone should wear what they want, regardless of trends. Fashion should be about personal expression, not dictated by what’s “in” or “out.”

The rise of "Gorpcore" and the popularity of outdoor brands like Carhartt and Arc'teryx, Saloman, and Northface being worn as streetwear reflect a shift to durable clothing overtaking fleeting trends. So, whether you wear oudoorswer because you want to look stylish while walking on campus or if you genuinely plan to hike a mountain anytime soon I encourage you to invest in pieces that you know you will continue to wear for years to come.