Prue White is the master of perfecting the ultimate winter wardrobe. She’s the former style director at The Times, and has styled celebrities including Victoria Beckham, Nigella Lawson, Alexa Chung and Matt Smith. Now she’s turning her attention to holidaymakers, and is working with luxury chalet provider Bramble Ski on a new bookable service, offering styling sessions for clients staying in selected properties in Verbier.
They receive a one-to-one consultation call with White and complete a questionnaire prior to their holiday, and White then curates a new wardrobe using ski and fashion brands from high-end Verbier ski wear retailer Mountain Air. Their new items are then waiting for clients on arrival in resort.
Here, White shares her top tips to help you and your clients look stylish on the slopes:
1. LAYERING
When contending with unpredictable weather, layering is imperative. Having the option to de-robe if the sun comes out, or wrap up when the wind picks up, will give you all the flexibility you need on the slopes. Whilst chunky layers may seem sensible, they’re often cumbersome: restricting physical movement, and also proving problematic when you need to carry them. Instead, opt for fine layers in natural fabrics – silk, merino and cashmere – to keep your body temperature controlled. I love IceBreaker’s technical merino base layers, or Johnstons of Elgin’s Superfine Merino range for serious warmth without any heft (they’ll roll into a neat ball to be stuffed into a pocket when not needed).
2. COLOUR
Just like a beach holiday, a ski holiday is just the place to experiment with colour. Not only is it infinitely more practical for keeping an eye on your crew on the slopes, it also screams confidence and jollity. If you’re not confident with colour, the first thing to work out is if you have warm or cool undertones to your skin. I find the easiest way to tell is if you suit gold or silver jewellery best. Gold means you have warm undertones and suit colours that have more yellow in them. Silver means you have cooler undertones, meaning you need colours with more blue in them. If you’re unsure though, visiting make-up artists at counters such as MAC, in the pursuit of a new lipstick, will help you identify your skin tone. It’s especially important to ensure the colours next to your face suit you, so give colour particular importance when it comes to jackets, high necked base layers, and scarves.
3. ACCESSORIES
Whilst there isn’t a huge amount of variation in ski outfits (we’re all, after all, wearing trousers, jackets and a base-layer or two), having fun with your accessories will allow you to really show some personality. Sunglasses are essential, and the slopes lend themselves to something a little bit bolder than what you may wear on the school run, or the commute to work. Consider something with good wrap-around coverage (if you’re really brave, Balenciaga’s futuristic style is just the ticket), or opt for some colour or a metallic finish. A pair of classic vintage Carrera’s are always popular.
4. FOOTWEAR
If it’s apres you’re into, or just a leisurely stroll around the resort, having appropriate footwear is essential in avoiding that Bambi-on-ice walk. Look for something with a deep tread that is built for ice and snow. Whilst once this may have screamed ‘geography teacher’, this season practicality is en vogue. Italian brand Diemme do bold boots for men and women in combinations of fabric including canvas, leather, and even rubber, designed to be right at home in the mountains. Similarly, Hunter’s just launched Explorer Insulated Commando boots in off-white are as stylish as they are practical.
