It’s finally warming up at the high altitudes where we love to play. So it’s time to get outside and enjoy summer to its fullest, looking and feeling your best in high quality outdoor attire. Below are a few of the new and noteworthy clothing items of the season, handpicked by some of our Jans Experts.
A New Way to Look at Baselayers
When I asked Jans Women’s Apparel Buyer Bambi Rino Wilson what was exciting in mountain clothing this summer, the first thing that she brought up was technical underwear by ExOfficio. “Your whole first layer should be moisture-wicking and breathable,” Bambi advises. Some people tend to think of baselayers as tops and bottoms for winter recreating, but your underwear is also an important part of that baselayer, no matter the season. ExOfficio offers a variety of styles for men and women such as the Men’s Give-N-Go Printed Boxer, and the Women’s Give-N-Go Bikini.
Boyfriend Style for Gals
Bambi also notes that a lot of women right now are looking for boyfriend-style clothing that is comfortable and casual because it tends to be roomier and less restricting than, say, those darn skinny jeans we’ve all been tolerating. She recommends the Patagonia Fitz Roy Bison Women’s Short Sleeve T-Shirt, which offers a boyfriend look, and is made environmentally conscious with organic cotton, recycled polyester, and PVC- and phthalate-free inks.
Women’s Shorts that Flatter
When you’re rocking a boyfriend-style tee, a cute pair of women’s shorts, like the Patagonia Quandary, can be a great way to keep your look feminine. Bambi says the great fit of these shorts make them one of her favorite clothing items of the summer, and that she owns multiple pairs. Beyond their flattering fit, the Quandary Shorts feature UPF 40 sun protection and a durable water-repellent (DWR) finish to protect you, rain or shine. And the lightweight stretch fabric is bluesign approved, meaning it meets or exceeds the standards for environmentally safe textile production set by bluesign’s independent system.
While Patagonia is well known for their environmental efforts, Wilson notes that Prana has been making a big push toward more environmentally friendly clothing as well. Their Women’s Lena Short is a good example of that. These water-repellent stretch shorts are made mostly of recycled water bottles, and are also bluesign approved. A more relaxed fit makes these outdoor shorts comfy to move in, and the wrinkle-resistant fabric helps them stay looking great through extended wear and travel.
A Tank Top to Keep You Dry
The Prana Phoebe Women’s Tank is bluesign approved and made partially of recycled materials. The lightweight performance fabric is quick drying to prevent your skin from feeling sticky while you’re working out, and the smooth, stretch fit makes it comfortable to move in. Additionally, a built-in bra provides support without feeling constricting, which makes it nice for low impact activities like yoga, climbing, and hiking.
Transition from Work to Play
White Pine Touring Apparel Buyer Carolyn Holliday says that what makes some of her favorite clothing items for the season special is their ability to transition between performing on the trail and looking good for casual outings and workplaces.
Carolyn recommends the Arcteryx Renegade Men’s Shorts as something guys can wear for a day of hiking, and then for a casual meal afterward. The town-friendly style of these men’s shorts offers lots of hidden technical performance features such as articulated patterning for unrestricted mobility, and riveted stress points for added durability. The cotton and nylon blend material is lightweight and breathable for warm weather comfort.
Carolyn also mentions the Men’s Arcteryx Pathline as one of those shirts that has an urban look with hidden active performance. The Wye cotton and polyester blend fabric is breathable, moisture wicking, and quick drying to keep you comfortably dry – even while you’re climbing up steep hills. Anatomical patterning improves your freedom of movement, and wrinkle resistance keeps you looking good by the time you’ve made it to the office after getting sidetracked by the dirt park along your bike commute.
Great for Travel and Trail
The Kuhl Kontra Men’s Pants are another favorite of Carolyn’s, because of their versatility. Carolyn calls these clean-cut lightweight trekking pants “perfect for foreign travels or days behind the desk.” The cotton and nylon blend is fast drying, to keep you cool and comfortable even when temperatures rise.
The Men’s Arcteryx Tranzat Short Sleeve Shirt pairs nicely with the Kontra Pants, and has a classic collared button-up look with a comfortable, relaxed fit – making it great for travel. Its lightweight fabric has a wool component that provides natural odor resistance to keep you feeling fresh in hot weather.
No matter how you like to spend your summertime outside, the right clothing can help keep you comfortable and confident so you can enjoy the outdoors even more. To find your new favorite summer mountain attire, shop for these Expert-recommended clothing items, and many more, at jans.com.
Kendall Fischer, Content Writer
