I never thought I’d say this out loud, but I’ve always had a soft spot for stirrup pants. But I was young, and I came from Chamonix, where style is less about gentle turns and leisurely strolls than it is about steep slopes. To be cool, you had to ride hard, or at least pretend convincingly. While I never tried too hard to create the perfect illusion, I did my best to keep up appearances.

And then I turned thirty. And at thirty, as we know, things change. We still want to be cool, just not necessarily by the same standards. So now I can admit it: yes, I love stirrup pants.

A little history

The original ski pant was created by Aallard in Megève, which has just celebrated its 100th anniversary. Initially called the “jumping pant,” it was worn by champion Émile Allais, who won a medal in 1937, helping to forge the legend of this innovative, more practical and more comfortable cut. Close-fitting without being tight, it tapered at the ankle.

It wasn’t until 1952 that another small revolution shook the skiing world, with the creation of Fusalp. Under the pencils of its founders, the tapered ski pant evolved into a jumpsuit that hugged the body, widened at the bottom, and became increasingly technical. The goal? To improve performance on the slopes. As a result, the French Ski Federation entrusted the Haute-Savoie brand with designing its competition outfits for the 1966 World Championships in Chile.

Around the same time, Moncler was founded. The brand would go on to outfit mountaineering expeditions and Winter Olympic athletes, before turning toward the world of luxury in the early 2000s. There was also Colmar in Italy, which became a major player in skiing in the 1950s, after nearly three decades of manufacturing everything from hats to workwear and jackets for the Foreign Legion. And then there was Bogner in Germany, which carved out its niche by combining innovative material research with avant-garde communication, thanks in large part to the talents of Willy Bogner, the founders’ son, a photographer and filmmaker. 

The elegance of the hedonistic skier

Far from being just a sport, skiing has become a culture in its own right. Everyone can live it their way, weaving it into their personal pleasures, memories and imagination. Of course, there are the purists, true lovers of extreme sports and untamed nature. And then, there are the hedonists. Those who have made skiing a way of life. An aesthetic. A practice that goes beyond simply gliding down the slopes: skiing also means experiencing the resort, embracing other habits, atmospheres, and a different rhythm for the duration of a vacation or a season. You can catch the first gondola, then linger over a long lunch on a terrace at 2,000 meters. Make a few turns and head back down for après-ski, after quickly swapping shoes (although not always). 

Hedonists like to indulge in life’s pleasures, so it comes as no surprise that they care about their style even on the slopes. Nor is it surprising that the flattering, supremely comfortable cut of the ski suit has inspired designers and swept through winter collections. In this regard, the American brand Cordova, celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, sets the standard.

Jane Seim, founder and artistic director, draws inspiration from nature, design, and movement, infusing her creations with both precision and poetry. And that is exactly how they feel. Each piece in the catalog – boasting not more than forty designs – appears meticulously crafted. The color palette strikes a delicate balance between understated classics and bolder choices, including peony, poppy, azure and even cowhide. Cuts are clear yet refined, blending opulence and casual vibe with ease, for a surprisingly sexy result. 

The stirrup pant, of course, takes center stage. Cordova offers a remarkable reinterpretation in jumpsuit form, skillfully playing with contrasts: generous, enveloping shapes on top, a belted waist, tapered legs. Every detail is designed to highlight the silhouette. And the effect is undeniable: slipping into Ajax or Myoko feels like putting on a made-to-measure costume. A super-silhouette piece that lends an elegant aura and allows you to glide effortlessly from one world to another. The perfect bridge between city and mountains. 

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