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?

I wore my nice long wool coat on Thursday as we had a Christmas do. It was probably a year since I wore it last. It’s now in the dry cleaners as the bottom of it got filthy. Not a practical coat in the slightest.

You want to see other people in wool coats because you think they look nice?

worry about your own clothes - I don’t exist for your pleasure and amusement. I wear what I want for my comfort.

I go as far as accepting social decent norms and don’t go around naked but my clothes my choice not yours

People used to wear wool coats all the time because that was all that was available.
Technology has moved on, and people wear gore-tex (other waterproof breathable meme tames are available) as they are immensely more effective at staying dry or puffer jackets as they are immensely more effective at staying warm, whilst also being lightweight. It’s not rocket science.
Many older people still wear their good ole wool coat because they are quite frankly stuck in their ways and don’t like change. More fool them.

I do a lot of walking everywhere even though I have a car because I have the right coat.

Wear the right coat and get more exercise @needmorebooks

You’re welcome to your preference of course but people are giving you sensible explanations. People used to have to carry umbrellas everywhere to protect their lovely wool coats from the rain and I’d argue that walking through a sea of umbrella holders is much more irritating than those with the hoods of their waterproof coats up.

PS I don’t own a puffer coat and have two full length wool coats but they’re a pita when it’s raining.

I think it's like the trainers, leggings and track suits/goodies you see everywhere too, often on people who clearly aren't athletes. It's because the clothes are comfortable, don't need ironed and come at all prices, including the very, very cheap. But I know what you mean, it's the death of individuality as well as style.
Incidentally none of my coats was bought new. I have two wool coats, both of which have had outings on the rare sunny cold dry days this week.

Love my Rab puffa jacket. So warm. Thankfully not the kind of person who cares what other people think of how I'm dressed and perhaps more importantly, not the kind of person who cares how other people are dressed. You do you, OP.

Have you smelt a wet wool coat?!

My school blazer was a wool (no coats allowed) and on wet days we all smelt like wet dog. Plus they're heavy and uncomfortable when wet.

We have better technology now, why wouldn't people use it?!

Did you read my post? I have outdoor wear and use it for outdoor activities. I hike, I run. I climb mountains ???

Why do you care what others are wearing? It's not their job to give you something nice to look at 😂

I have some nice wool coats which I wear when out with friends etc. I wear my puffer when out the rest of the time as it's lovely and warm and I'd rather be warm than making a fashion statement. My friend stands on a cold station platform at 6.30 AM every day in Winter. She wears a puffer. So would I!

Then you should know full well that a long wool coat is impractical in weather that is cold and very wet at the same time, whether you are shopping in town, going to the theatre or hiking. Enjoy wearing a heavy, wet wool coat in 23C in John Lewis and scrunching it up under your theatre seat. If you thought on for a minute the entire thread would be unneccessary.

Sorry but if I’m stuck in my ways so be it. I think it’s ugly and boring.

If I’m up a hill hiking, I’m all in the outdoor gear. I’m not saying people should be wearing furs like Scott of the Antarctic! If I’m in the city and it’s sideways wind and rain I’ll wear my hooded Barbour. Does the job.

I’ve also never been cold in a wool coat ?? You layer up.

Yes same! ☺️

Completely agree OP. Getting on a central line train with graffiti everywhere at 7am in December and it’s dark and everyone has black puffer jackets on is honestly like you are in Gotham City. It’s throughly depressing sight. And I was adding to the dystopian vision with my dark green uniglo puffer.
I am going to theatre today co incidentally and will wear my wool coat with pride 🥳

It's been wet and windy, so other coats not been out much this autumn/winter. My long North Face padded coat hasn't been out either though as it's not been especially cold in East Anglia. Plus you can't shop in it, I nearly melted in John Lewis when I wore it shopping one year

Most people I know dress at least smart-casual for work every weekday. So do I, but I still wear a waterproof so I don't get wet going from car into work. I only wear it for about 1 minute, so looking smart in it isn't really relevant! Going into town isn't just car to shop. I went yesterday. Parked and then spent 2 hours in town, plenty of walking around outside. Luckily it was sunny .

It's not gorpcore, it's just because it's wet at the minute so people wear waterproofs. People have been wearing waterproofs to the city centre in the rain my entire life, I can't say I've noticed an increase in recent years. This isn't the 1950s

Wool coats are annoying in the rain, they smell, the bottom gets muddy and so they need cleaning, they are heavy and can get too hot I the shops so then your lugging round a big heavy coat.

I like to dress up, and I do think it's a shame we are dressing up less, but I really can't get worked up about what people wear to John Lewis

I’d rather see outdoor clothes than someone wearing something made out of animal hair..here’s a link to the true cost of your nice wool coat https://www.collectivefashionjustice.org/wool
The Down jackets are just as bad!

Theres lots of alternatives.A decent coat/clothing will get you from a walk in the Peak District to John Lewis,it will last years and cut down environmental impact.

what you think looks nice - others might think looks poncy and stuck up! Or here’s a thought no one gives a toss what you’re wearing.

some might see the time you take to get ready over and above throwing on some clothes a waste of time you could be doing something useful with your life.

Guess we are all different eh? You’d hate my choice of clothing today, old faded pull on jeans iron maiden (Halloween) t shirt over a long sleeved work out top (looking again I'm not sure the purple of the top matches the electric blue writing on the shirt- oh well) and a long gortex coat and sketcher trainers. Oh and a band beanie and fingerless gloves.

Happy Christmas

I have a wool coat but haven’t worn it in years. I’ve got a short puffer and a knee length one that are far more practical. I live in London so no hillwalking to be had, and no ‘car to shop to car’, so lots of public transport and walking in the rain with lots of other people and not much space for umbrellas to go up.

I really couldn’t care if strangers think my outerwear is boring, my priority is being warm and dry.

The bar is low if you think a wool coat look poncy!

I think people are focusing on the wool coat a bit too much ( it was just a non- gorpcore example). Wear a long leather coat, wear a Barbour. Smart raincoats with hoods do exist! Doesn’t need to be all bright red, bright blue gore-tex or navy puffers!

Of course people did just fine. Like they did before trainers, central heating and mobile phones. Technology has improved everything, including outdoor wear, which keeps a person significantly warmer and drier than an old fashioned wool coat.

I completely agree with you OP, loathe the things! I wouldn't wear a puffa jacket as I'm busty and it would just make me look like the Michelin Man. I wear fitted wool coats, I've got them in blue, red and camel colours.or fake fur coats. I've bought nice coats in charity shops or from Ebay, they don't have to be expensive. I love wearing gorgeous, stylish coats, makes winter more bearable. I understand if you're out walking in the countryside they're practical, but for shopping in town? Boring!😂

A Barbour?!
They have got to be the least stylish jackets around. Plus, they're heavy.