I’ve always loved vintage ski style with its colourful geometric knits and streamlined activewear. Think Shirley Temple in a cream knitted vest and black balaclava over her thermals, Audrey Hepburn in Charade wearing haute couture black ski wear with huge sunglasses and a streamlined hood (recently replicated by Emily in Paris) and Sophia Loren adorned in a Fair Isle sweater with a matching pillar box red hat and scarf. These looks, along with hand-drawn advertisements from the 40’s and 50’s exude effortless style while also keeping you warm in layers of cosy wool.


When I recently packed for a week on the slopes (read as: a week attempting to sledge and ski for the first time with two little ones!) these were the outfits I referenced. I’m afraid I don’t have photographs as skiing with small children consumed all selfie time, but I can confirm how amazing wool is at keeping you warm in sub-zero temperatures, when you’re out in the snow all day.
I wore three sweaters on repeat during our time in the Alps, mixed in with my ski wear.


The Brook slouch sweater kept me nice and toasty on a very cold day with a base layer underneath. The Elsi sweater was perfect for skiing on a warmer day, when I didn’t have to wear a base layer beneath. And I wore the Leyden sweater one afternoon for Apres Ski, giving a contemporary twist to vintage ski style. My favourite item in my suitcase was my GS walking socks! My feet felt so comfortable and just the right temperature following long days in the snow. I also loved our fingerless gloves for layering under mittens to play in the snow, and our textured scarves for adding extra warmth on snow days. The scarves are lightweight yet warm, and long enough to wrap around your neck several times when the temperatures plummeted, then loosen when the sun shone. They’re such a versatile accessory for the slopes! We also all wore GS ribbed beanies everyday, both adults and kids. Our heads were lovely and warm, while the pop of colour had the multipurpose of really making our outfits plus making it easy to keep track of the children at all times.


To get this look yourself, opt for bold geometric prints (I love classic Fair Isle knits but a contemporary geometric design such as our Leyden sweater adds a bold punch of colour) or chunky oversized knitwear. Make your knitwear the core piece of your outfit, then layer around it with merino wool base layers, streamlined ski pants and a waterproof ski jacket. To fully embrace the retro look, a matching jacket and trousers in a pop of colour such as red completes the look while referencing Princess Diana and Jackie Kennedy’s iconic ski looks. A pair of warm black leggings, cosy moon boots and a our GS oversized scarf, worn double knotted will take you straight from the slopes to enjoying Apres Ski cocktails.



On a separate note, sledging with a two year old terrified me! It was probably one of the most nerve-wracking things I’ve done with children. After 7 km of sledging, I welcomed the train back down to base. When we arrived back at our accommodation, a warm coffee with Baileys was extremely welcomed – as was the comfort and warmth of having dry, warm feet thanks to my walking socks.
Skiing with the boys was wonderful, watching them slide down small slopes and take in the magic of snowy mountain life. Core memories were made for all of us, whilst all wearing our GS lambswool beanies to keep our heads nice and toasty. Discover GS kids beanies here in colourful hues here.

For more inspiration, have a look at my Ski Style Pinterest board.