The Ski Travel Edit: What to Wear in Aspen, Colorado

Aspen, Colorado has a very specific dress code, even when no one is technically “dressed up.” As a Colorado native who loves to ski, Aspen is its own beast of après ski wear and every time I visit I learn a little bit more about what to wear in Aspen.

If you’ve ever packed for an Aspen trip thinking it’s just another ski town, you’ve probably realized halfway through dinner that it’s… not.

This is where The Ski Travel Edit comes in.

This series is about packing smarter for ski trips, choosing pieces that travel well, layer beautifully, and feel appropriate for elevated mountain destinations. And Aspen, with its mix of world-class skiing, designer boutiques, and cozy-but-refined après-ski culture, deserves its own edit.

Whether it’s your first time visiting or your fifth, this guide breaks down what to wear in Aspen so you feel confident, comfortable, and completely in place, from ski days to après, dinners, and everything in between!

Also, hi there! My name is Sydney and welcome to my blog, The Après Society! I cover a variety of travel and skiing related topics, as these are my passions in life, and I am so excited and fulfilled to be writing about them. I hope this blog makes your life just a little bit better either with travel hacks, outfit inspiration, or just pure entertainment.

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Understanding Aspen Style (Before You Pack)

Before we get into outfits, it helps to understand the vibe of Aspen Colorado. Aspen is a unique mix of old money and new money style.

Aspen style is:

• Understated luxury
• Quality over quantity
• Neutral aesthetic heavy
• Effortless, not trendy

You’ll see:

• Cashmere instead of logos
• Tailored ski pants instead of crazy prints
• Minimal makeup and natural hair
• Beautiful outerwear worn casually

You’ll also see the occasional:

• Loud ski graphics
• Overly tight or flashy looks
• Theme-y après-ski costumes

Aspen has a lot of people looking to be noticed, but this guide is more about looking like you belong.

What to Wear Skiing in Aspen (Stylish but Serious)

Aspen skiing is no joke! The terrain is excellent, the weather can be cold, and people actually ski. Your ski outfits should perform first and look elevated second, and we are going for both!

Ski Base Layers

Choose:

• Merino wool or performance/cold weather blends
• Neutral colors (black, grey, ivory, muted colors)
• Slim-fitting outfits that layer easily with jackets

Avoid bulky or novelty base layers! You want warmth without volume.

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Ski Pants

Aspen ski style leans classic. Aspen is more of your “classic” ski style versus the “park” ski style, so ski outfits are a tad more fitted than you’ll see elsewhere, but don’t forget not to sacrifice comfort for fashion, Make sure you are able to still ski comfortably in whatever outfit you choose!

Some best options:

• Tailored ski pants that go over the ski boot
• Neutral colors (black, white, navy, taupe)
• Slightly structured jackets (I love belted ski jackets!)

Skip overly baggy or ultra-trendy ski outfits, because this screams “tourist,” unless you’re going for that.

Ski Jackets

You’ll see everything from giant puffer jackets to minimalist shell jackets in Aspen .

Here’s what to look for:

• High-quality insulation
• Matte finishes
• Neutral or earthy tones

If your jacket looks good enough to wear to lunch without screaming “ski gear,” you’re doing it right!

Accessories

• Helmet (don’t be the person to ski without a helmet!)
• Goggles (chosen for the light conditions)
• Warm gloves or mittens (my favorite are Hestra)
• Neck gaiter or scarf

Aspen ski style is refined, but still practical, and warmth always comes first for those chilly Colorado winters!

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What to Wear to Après Ski in Aspen

Après ski in Aspen is on another level (iykyk!). From Cloud 9 to Snow Lodge, you will see a mix of everything from polished, cozy, and unfussy to the crazy outrageous outfits. In this guide, we are going for more of a classic, “old-money” look.

The Aspen Après Ski Formula

A great Aspen après-ski outfit usually includes:

• A high-quality knit sweater (cashmere, wool, etc)
• Tailored or elevated bottoms
• Practical, but stylish boots (skip the stilettos!)
• A classic outer layer (fur coat, wool jacket, puffer, shearling coat)

Elevated Knits

Cashmere, merino, alpaca blends, this is where Aspen shines! It’s all about high-quality materials “when in Aspen”.

Here’s what to bring:

• One slouchy sweater
• One fitted knit (love this black turtleneck)
• One layering piece (half-zip or fine-gauge pullover)

Neutral colors dominate, but soft browns, grays, and creams photograph beautifully against snow if you are going for those Insta-worthy pics!

Bottoms That Feel Like Loungewear (But Look Polished)

Jeans are fine, but not always ideal after skiing, because you want to be comfy!.

A few better options:

• Knit pants
• Ponte pants
• High-quality leggings styled intentionally (faux leather is my favorite)

Comfort is key! Aspen evenings are long and relaxed.

Boots That Work Everywhere

Your après-ski boots need to handle:

• Snowy sidewalks
• Heated indoor spaces
• Walking between restaurants

Best choices:

• Shearling-lined ankle boots
• Sleek snow boots
• Lug-sole leather boots

Leave delicate footwear or the stilettos at home. Especially in Aspen, there’s cobblestone streets downtown, so that mixed with snow is a recipe for disaster to fall in the winter because it gets so slippery!

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What to Wear to Dinner in Aspen

Après-ski style can live forever in photos and the color you wear matters more than you think if you are trying to achieve that Aspen dinners feel elevated, but never overly formal. The goal is to look classy & “old money” style without trying too hard.

Women’s Dinner Looks

Think:

• Cashmere sweater + tailored pants
• Midi skirt + knit + boots
• Matching knit set with a structured coat

If you opt for heels, avoid stilettos because Aspen has cobblestone streets and sidewalks in some places and stilettos in the snow is a recipe for disaster. Polished flats or boots are more common.

Outerwear for Dinner

Your coat matters almost as much as your outfit.

Ideal options:

• Wool coat with room for layers
• Tailored puffer
• Structured quilted jacket

This is Aspen! Your coat will be seen!

What to Wear Around Town in Aspen

Walking through Aspen is part of the experience, such as coffee runs, strolling between stops, oh, and the SHOPPING.

Daytime In-Town Outfits

• Cozy knit or half-zip
• Leggings or tailored trousers
• Boots or sleek sneakers
• Oversized scarf

Shopping & Lunch Looks

Aspen lunches can easily turn into long afternoons.

Stick with:

• Layers you can remove
• Comfortable footwear
• A polished bag (crossbody or structured tote)

You’ll fit right in!

What to Wear in Aspen by Season

Aspen’s style doesn’t dramatically change season to season, but how you layer and what you prioritize absolutely does. Understanding the nuances of each season helps you pack smarter, and avoid outfits that feel slightly off once you’re there.

Winter (December–February)

This is peak Aspen season and the cold is real! Temperatures often stay below freezing, especially at night, and snow coverage is consistent.

What to prioritize:

• Insulating layers that don’t add bulk
• Weather-appropriate footwear with real traction
• Statement outerwear you’ll wear daily

This is the season for:

• Cashmere sweaters layered under puffers or wool coats
• Tailored ski pants worn beyond the slopes
• Structured knit sets that look intentional but feel cozy

Aspen winter style leans into luxury textures such as wool, shearling, cashmere, and neutral color palettes that feel chic against snowy backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. It’s also the time of year when your coat truly becomes part of your outfit, not just an afterthought! Because after all, this Aspen! My guess is if you are reading this guide, you care at least a little bit about looking good 🙂

Late Winter / Early Spring (March)

March is a favorite for many seasoned Aspen travelers. Days are longer, the skiing is still excellent, and the Colorado sun is stronger, but nights remain cold.

Here’s what changes:

• You’ll need lighter daytime layers
• You still need serious warmth after dark

This is where versatile pieces shine:

• Lightweight knits you can ski in and wear to lunch
• Soft half-zips or pullovers layered over base layers
• Sunglasses become just as important as gloves

Outfits in March often involve more layer removal and re-layering, so choose pieces that look good whether worn together or separately.

Shoulder Seasons (Late Spring & Fall)

Aspen quiets down during shoulder seasons, but the style remains refined and classy.

Expect:

• Cooler mornings and evenings
• Mild daytime temperatures
• Less snow, more walking around town

Ideal pieces include:

• Lightweight sweaters
• Transitional coats (quilted jackets, lighter wool coats)
• Ankle boots or polished sneakers

These seasons are about effortless polish, meaning fewer layers, but the same emphasis on quality and fit.

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Accessories That Elevate Aspen Outfits

In Aspen, accessories are subtle but intentional. The goal isn’t to stack trends. It’s to choose a few high-quality pieces that quietly elevate everything you’re wearing.

Scarves

An oversized scarf is one of the most useful accessories you can pack. I recently have been loving the triangle scarf look!

Look for:

• Wool or cashmere blends
• Neutral tones that work with multiple outfits
• Enough size to drape or wrap fully

Scarves in Aspen are worn constantly, outside, inside, at dinner, so choose one that feels polished rather than sporty.

Bags

Aspen style favors structure over slouch.

Best options:

• Medium-sized crossbody bags
• Structured totes
• Leather backpacks with clean lines

Skip anything overly logo-heavy or impractical for snow. Your bag should feel secure, hands-free, and appropriate for walking through the Colorado mountain town.

Jewelry

Jewelry in Aspen is understated and minimal.

Think:

• Small gold hoops
• Simple chains
• Stud earrings

Sunglasses

Often overlooked, but essential, especially on bluebird ski days.

Choose:

• Classic shapes
• Neutral frames
• Sporty sunglasses

Sunglasses are one of the few accessories that consistently show up in Aspen outfits year-round.

Common Mistakes When Dressing for Aspen

Even experienced travelers make a few missteps when packing for Aspen. These are the most common ones and the easiest to avoid once you know what to look out for.

Overpacking Trend-Driven Pieces

Aspen style is timeless. Trend-heavy items such as loud patterns, exaggerated silhouettes, ultra-seasonal pieces tend to feel out of place quickly.

Instead of chasing the “in” trends of the season:

• Invest in classic silhouettes
• Stick to a cohesive color palette
• Choose pieces you’d happily wear again next year

If an item feels like it belongs on social media more than in real life, it probably won’t get much wear in Aspen.

Underestimating How Cold It Gets at Night

Even if daytime sun feels warm, Aspen evenings cool down fast.

Common mistake:

• Packing outfits that look great indoors but lack warmth outdoors

Solution:

• Always plan outfits with outerwear in mind
• Make sure sweaters and coats work together visually
• Don’t rely on thin layers alone

Looking polished in Aspen often means looking warm and prepared.

Bringing Too Many Shoes

Shoes take up space, and Aspen doesn’t require endless options.

You realistically need:

• One everyday boot
• One slightly more polished option (which may overlap)

Packing multiple delicate or impractical shoes often leads to frustration since sidewalks can be snowy, and comfort matters more than variety.

Dressing Too “Ski Costume”

There’s a difference between ski-inspired style and literal ski gear worn everywhere.

Avoid:

• Wearing full ski outfits off the mountain
• Overly sporty head-to-toe looks
• Neon or novelty ski pieces

Aspen favors ski-adjacent dressing such pieces that nod to mountain style without feeling like you just stepped out of a chalet rental shop.

Forgetting That Comfort Is Part of the Look

Aspen style may look effortless, but it’s deeply rooted in comfort. If you feel uncomfortable, you won’t enjoy wearing it and it will show!

The most stylish people in Aspen look relaxed, warm, and confident, never uncomfortable.

For more travel guides, view my blog page.