Your Stylish Guide to the Alps, Even If You Have Never Skied Before

Welcome to Out of Office…Who What Wear UK’s chic travel guide that provides you with the most stylish take on any given destination by tapping creatives who know where to stay, what to eat and, importantly, which items to pack. This month, former Who What Wear UK Editor and accidental skiwear expert Emma Spedding shares her tips for a memorable trip to the Alps.

When I first started dating my now husband eight years ago, he said everything was going great, except that there was one small problem – I didn’t ski. He is such a skiing obsessive that three years ago he founded his own skiwear rental business called Blanqo, where you can rent premium brands like Perfect Moment and Volcom for a week or two. So not only can I now after many ski lessons keep up with him on a mountain (well, almost), but I also use my expertise as a fashion editor to help with Blanqo, advising what products and trends to buy into and with the creative side of the business. I have therefore gone from a total novice to an accidental skiing expert and my Discover page on Instagram is now 90% pictures taken on the mountain. 

Brands like Goldbergh and Perfect Moment have encouraged skiers to lean into the glamour of the Alpine setting and have more fun with their outfits, with lots of retro prints, metallics and bold silhouettes. I now take an obnoxiously large suitcase on any ski trip and rent at least three skiing outfits, because it’s just a great excuse to try different looks. I have spent the last few months combing through the upcoming 2025 collections to decide what skiwear looks Blanqo should buy for next year, as well as seeing real-time what people are renting and wearing on the mountains this winter. I spend a lot of time speaking to skiwear designers, as well helping advise beginners on what they should wear, and so have learnt how to dress effectively for a winter getaway.