From the 1950s to the 1990s, skiing was a lifestyle - not a stopwatch sport. Slim Aarons captured an era of tailored pants, dramatic knits, fur trim, and sunglasses doing absolutely nothing for safety but everything for the look.
As winter rolls in and the Olympics warm up, it’s worth remembering when the slopes were less about medals and more about martinis.
When Skiing Was Social
Long before performance fabrics and GoPro helmets, skiing was an extension of high-society leisure. It was about who you were skiing with, where you were staying, and most importantly - what you were wearing. The mountain doubled as a social stage, and ski outfits were designed accordingly: polished, photogenic, and unapologetically impractical.
Slim Aarons documented this world with his signature eye for glamorous ease. His images show skiers lingering on sun-drenched terraces, perfectly styled in crisp trousers and bold knits, skis casually propped nearby as if optional. These weren’t athletes chasing personal bests - they were participants in a winter ritual where elegance mattered more than endurance.
Photo: Slim Aarons / Getty Images
The Look: Style Over Speed
Across the decades, leisure ski style evolved, but its priorities stayed the same. The 1950s favoured tailored silhouettes and understated luxury. The 1960s and 70s introduced bolder colours, statement sweaters, and a growing sense of playful excess. By the 1980s and early 90s, proportions grew larger, confidence louder, and après-ski firmly cemented itself as the main event.
What unites these eras is a commitment to looking good first. Ski pants had structure. Sweaters had personality. Sunglasses were non-negotiable. Comfort existed, but it was secondary to presence. These were outfits designed to be seen from across a terrace, drink in hand.
A Different Kind of Winter Energy
Today, winter sport is synonymous with optimization - lighter, faster, more technical. And while there’s undeniable beauty in modern athleticism, something charming has been left behind. Leisure skiing, as captured by Slim Aarons, reminds us that winter doesn’t always have to be about competition.
As the Olympics return and the world once again turns its attention to snowy peaks, there’s a quiet joy in revisiting a time when skiing was slower, softer, and a little indulgent. A time when stopping was part of the point.
Photo: Slim Aarons / Getty Images
Why It Still Matters
At Parasol Store, we’re drawn to this era not out of nostalgia, but because its sensibility still resonates. It's clothing that invites you to linger. The Slim Aarons version of skiing wasn’t about excess - it was about intention.
So this winter, whether you’re heading to the mountains or just dressing for the season, take a cue from the past. Slow it down. Layer with purpose. And remember: not every moment on snow needs to be earned.
