Wait, wasn't gorpcore dead already?
Gorpcore. I totally hate how that word sounds.
I blame Covid for this because any word followed by "core" has inevitably fallen into the abyss sooner or later (thankfully). Over the past five years, "core" trends have been a goldmine for brands looking for quick sales—"Barbie-core? Uuu, let's make everything pink!"—but the latest menswear obsession that refuses to fade, to my surprise, is "gorpcore."
It basically describes a guy who spends his days buried in his laptop, terrified of actual nature, yet hoarding vintage Arc'teryx fleece jackets like they're rare collectibles. He might occasionally swap his standard tech bro sneakers for hiking boots, but nine times out of ten, it's just a rotating lineup of colorful Salomon runners. He calls himself a free spirit while munching on a burger. You’ll often hear him say things like, "Dude, check my fit, look how much I gorped today."
And don’t get me wrong—everyone should dress however they want. I even caved and bought a pair of Salomons last year. But when luxury brands refuse to let go of these micro-trends, it starts feeling like a dangerous game. People addicted to constantly reshaping their style will inevitably move on to the next "core" like sheep. Gorpcore is the ultimate generator of short-term, lazy sales, and some brand strategists seem incapable of looking beyond the present moment.
The worst part? Prices for technical clothing have skyrocketed—not because the quality has improved, but because high-fashion brands decided they wanted in. A Prada shell jacket might "gorp" on the runway, but it'll never match the performance of an actual hiking brand like Patagonia. Remember when Zara dropped that ski collection (or let’s call it their "gorpcore" collection), and people on TikTok were outraged because the clothes literally fell apart when they tried to ski in them? That was hilarious.
What really struck me, though, was the high contrast between FW25 men’s fashion week and the latest women’s New York Fashion Week. It’s as if men are being prepped for survival mode, expected to endure -20 degree hikes, while women get to lounge by the fireplace in killer leather jackets, sipping black tea. It’s giving "hunter versus boss lady." It’s giving "rugged explorer versus ‘I’ll see you at home, honey, I have three Zoom calls this morning.’" Sure, some brands dipped into gorpcore for womenswear too, but most of them pivoted toward something entirely different: business. Tailored pants, structured jackets, luscious leather coats—the true return of evening wear. So far, it seems like womenswear is rejecting "core" trends altogether. Instead, it’s about crafting a credible identity, refining silhouettes beyond a singular lifestyle or aesthetic. And honestly? That’s exactly what we need right now.
As for menswear, defining a "must-have" style is only going to get trickier. But with brands like Supreme probably making a comeback this year, I have some hope. Maybe we’ll finally see men’s fashion return to individuality again—subcultures, I want to see a hiker be a hiker and a punk guy actually being punk more clearly—rather than this endless cycle of aesthetic cosplay and wardrobe turnover.
