Fed up of all the gorpcore

[needmorebooks]

Is it just me? It’s everywhere. Look around a city centre and there’s just puffer jackets cropped and long and brightly coloured Rab or Patagonia jackets. Basically everyone dressed for climbing in the Peak District for a trip to John Lewis or Coffee1.

I own outdoor wear but it’s for well, long walks in the forest, going to the coast or going up mountains. Why has it become so ubiquitous? And it’s all ages and classes seemingly. I don’t get it.

It’s just boring and scruffy too imho. I want to see people looking nice in wool coats and looking like they take a bit of pride in their appearance. Sorry if that’s controversial, maybe this should be in AIBU? I hate feeling like I’m overdressed when I just have a long wool coat on, I hardly see others in the same. Just fed up of the sea of gore-tex and hiking shoes.

Anyone else?

You do you.

I can't afford two decent coats. I hike and walk almost daily, I shop maybe twice a year, why would I buy a different coat for that.
Walking gear is my priority, also the weather is awful and it keeps me dry, practical first.

I live just outside the Lake District National Park, so probably see even more people wearing outdoor gear! I love cloth coats and always think about buying one, but honestly? It's so rainy round here that I don't think it would get much wear. And it's often too windy for an umbrella. So a waterproof coat is pretty much always what you need. I have a lovely lightweight mustard-coloured velvet coat that I love, suitable for spring or autumn temperatures and I hardly wear it because it's always either raining or looks like it might!

I do have a lovely wool coat but rarely wear it as it’s never dry enough, so normally end up in my reliable Didriksons

You clearly haven't had the kind of rain and wind we have had over the last couple of months.

I have a lovely wool jacket and a smart wool coat, neither of which are practical in this weather. I dislike umbrellas and wear a waterproof coat with a hood in the rain.

Practicality trumps style, completely reasonably. It's raised a lot recently. I have therefore been in my raincoat more often than my other winter coat. Obviously.

I don't possess a cloth coat.
I have 6 Uniqlo padded jackets and 2 down coats. Oh and waterproofs. I also wear walking boots daily.

I don't have a wool coat as I don't ever need one. If I go to the city centre then I currently wear my puffa/raincoat as I have to walk to the station and wait for a train. Also I don't feel the need to dress up to go to the shops.

Oh I hate those stupid puffy jackets. Especially the ones that come down to the ground but are…sleeveless?!

They make people look like overgrown slugs. I live in the north of Scotland and I’ve never felt the need for one, thank god.

😂 I would love to be able to wear a wool coat but I live in Scotland so I'll stick to my practical puffer coat thanks.

It’s cold and blooming wet. It’s ridiculous to expect people to freeze their arses off or get drenched just so you can have pretty things to look at.

I like to dress nice. Even going out isn’t very dressy now.
I think WFH changes your wardrobe. I no longer have office wear so no need for nice coat for day time.

I'd love to dress nicely, but I live in rainy Devon and walk my dog 5 times a day. I have a gorgeous wool coat, but I've only worn it once because it isn't practical to wear it day to day.

I was in town shopping yesterday morning. There was a huge range of styles that people were wearing. Lots of interesting outfits but it was dry and chilly.
On the other hand I've also been in town on very wet days and it's just a sea of mostly black waterproof coats with the hoods up!

Many people can’t afford multiple coats.

I have two puffer jackets. When I worked I owned wool coats. Now I’m not working I can’t justify a $300+ coat.

You seem completely oblivious to how hard people are doing it right now.

Oh how did people cope without gore-tex. All the women and men in the 50s with their wool coats seemed to do just fine.

Setiously though if you’re in town it’s car to shop to shop to car. Not much outside needed.

The person who said they don’t need to dress up to go to the shops, yes I get that but these days no one dresses up for anything. People eat out in the evening for meals in hoodies. Ugh. It’s nice to just dress up a bit, you don’t need a reason.

Where do you live where you haven't had torrential sideways rain?

I have two lovely wool coats … but I can only wear them on days with no rain forecast

as it may be dry when I leave the house, but raining later

a rain free forecast on the south coast in winter is rare 😢😢😢😢 very rare

so I wear my rainproof coat most days 🤷‍♀️

And the car to shop walk in my town is minimum 5-10 minutes

and town centre isn’t exactly covered

people in the olde. Days had umbrellas, and space for umbrellas, as the world was a lot less populated

Gore-tex outdoor coats are as expensive as will at around £200+ though

I read the OP and I’m thinking ‘you can buy cropped puffer jackets?’

I think my new bright red rab jacket is quite smart. Nipped in at the waist and fitted, it looks good with jeans and boots. I wore it around Paris last weekend!

Idk how old you are but I was forced to wear a snorkel. They’re waterproof. https://19ujmilitaria.com/products/british-1970s-snorkel-parka The shame at the time.

I’m with you op, it’s not a style I like or wear apart from dog walking. However I live in Scotland, and you see a lot of it here due to the weather, lol

The same reasons that make outdoor gear comfortable on a mountain make it comfortable when shopping or commuting.

50 years ago walking gear meant scratchy woollens and kagools full of condensation. Now it’s the best option for comfort and warmth.