3L Ski Jacket
Background
I have grown up with a deep passion for skiing. Personally, I have never liked the look of ski jackets being worn beyond the slopes. Their primary function is to act as a protective barrier against the elements - not for street style.
In contrast, the techwear aesthetic is a blend of the functional outerwear elements found in ski jackets, but with a flair of style that is not replicated elsewhere.
I want to explore blending the functional elements of a ski jacket with the techwear look to create a jacket that can be worn stylishly on and off the mountain.
What is Techwear?
“Techwear is clothing for everyday life with special fabric, construction and properties that allow for breathability, movement, water-resistance and comfort” - Rocky Li, Grailed
Characterized by its use of functional features such as pockets for extra storage and its heavy use of the color black, techwear is the functional, fashion forward alternative to standard clothing.
What is Freesking?
Freeskiing is an broad term that involves the freedom of skiing wherever the skier pleases, be it in a terrain park, in an urban environment, or off the face of a mountain.
In competition, freeskiing - or freestyle skiing - is broken up into three disciplines: slopestyle, superpipe, and big air.
JOSSI WELLS | PRO FREESTYLE SKIER
User
Jossi Wells is an Olympic level, professional freestyle skier. Hailing from New Zealand, he has won multiple X-Games and Dew Tour medals in each discipline in the sport. His style both on and off the mountain is a characteristic that sets him apart from his fellow athletes. He is who I envision wearing this jacket.
Inspiration
Market Landscape: Techwear Jackets
Stone Island Shadow Project Divided Field Jacket Features: Hollowcore fabric, removable bottom half, stowable hood, water and stain resistant
Y-3 GORE-TEX® Utility Hooded Jacket Features: GORE-TEX® shell, taped seams, waist drawstring, dual chest cargo pockets
NikeLab 2 in 1 Jacket Features: GORE-TEX ® shell, removable liner, storm collar, reflective graphics, multiple storage pockets
ACRONYM J1A-GT Features: GORE-TEX ® shell, hidden pockets, packable, bag sling, removable hood, central storage pocket
Market Landscape: Ski Jackets
The North Face Fuse Brigandine Shell Features: GORE-TEX ® shell, pit vents, powder skirt, fixed hood, taped seams, waterproof zips
Salomon QST Guard Features: Venting system, waterproof zippers, taped seams, inner pockets, pass pocket
Saga Monarch 3L Features: Underarm vents, phone pocket, waterproof zips, taped seams, pass pocket
Strafe Nomad Features: Fleece lined hood, Polartec® insulation, exposed pit vents, taped seams, waterproof zips
Features
High quality ski jackets must have the necessary features of waterproofing, breathability, and durability in order to allow the wearer to perform at their highest capacity. Features such a waterproof zippers, storage pockets, and vents are expected.
After conducting market research, the following features were considered:
GORE-TEX ® Shell
3M™ Thinsulate™
Stowable Hood
Removable Sleeves
Phone Pocket
Ventilation Zippers
Asymmetrical Zips
Changeable Pockets
Magnetic Closures
Hidden Pockets
Removable Liner
Powder Skirt
Concept Direction
Black was selected for the base jacket due it fitting into the techwear aesthetic as well as its wearability as a neutral color.
Zip-off sleeves would be integral for ventilation as well as customization for the wearer.
Iterative pocket layouts
Process
Materials
Outer Shell
Insulation
Collar / Pocket Liner
Aquaguard® Zips
Anti-slip inner hem elastic
Hem & hood cinch toggles
Elastic zip pulls
Ripstop lining
Fully taped seams
V69 Polyester stitching
Sleeve Details
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Removable
Sleeves capable of being zipped off for added ventilation in warm weather conditions.
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Customizable
Variety of different sleeve colors can be mixed to customize the jacket to the wearer’s preference.
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Features
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Cargo Pockets
Center chest cargo pocket for small storage such as phones or beacons. Dual cargo drop pockets with hidden Polartec® Powershield fleece lined hand pockets.
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Sleeve Pocket
Sleeve pocket capable of fitting RFID ski pass for ease of scanning through stalls before loading onto lift.
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Ventilation
Two ventilation pockets located at center front chest, one at wearer’s left neck, and one down center back.
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Magnetic Closures
Magnetic snaps at wrist cuffs and pocket flaps for adjustability and security.
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Sling
Shoulder sling allows for ease of carrying off body. Can be slung around shoulder or across body to access main pockets
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Branding
The name COMPOSITE is derived from the jacket itself being a combination of freeskiing culture and the techwear aesthetic. This composite of these two subcultures within skiing and fashion go hand in hand due their strong focus on self expression and technical performance.
The name also alludes to this jacket being comprised of three layers, aka a 3L jacket (outer GORE-TEX® shell, 3M™ Thinsulate™ insulation, and ripstop liner).
