The past week, I was invited by Decathlon China team to fit and review their new products they promote for this season. Decathlon China is now upgrading their sports accessories to more than 80 categories, which is huge. As I live 70% of my time under no roof, outdoor clothing is probably taking most charge of my wardrobe. If let me choose one must-have piece, wind jacket is that kind of piece I would recommend to beginners who'd like to start experience an outdoor life, such as hiking, city cycling, or snowboarding.
A wind jacket is so multi-tasking that works beyond your imagination.
- Hiking is a common scene that you would need a jacket, it prevents you from being hurt by branches, maintains your body temperature and also protects you from a sudden rain.
- On a cold/windy day, you can also wear a wind jacket as a fashion piece, though we normally wear bike suit that just fits our body shape. But city cycling does not always request a very professional suit, as long as it is save and comfortable, it is the right ones
- For snowboarding riders like I am, wind jacket is also a good choice during winter if the budget is limited. Wind jacket with water-resistance function can also replace the snow jacket for beginners. Because beginners would not be recommended to ride on a blue/black slope or on a tough weather, it should be just OKAY if you start on a green slope.
Decathlon's jacket caught my eyes so quickly as soon as I walked in their stores. The bright colors attracted me more than their traditional beige/dark/nude colors. I styled a few looks and it is your turn to decide which is preferable?
The last snow season, I received a set of merino wool blend base layer from Snow Path (山雪道).
- Heat preservation. Although the middle layer plays the main character role of preserving your body heat, all three layers fundamentally should all have this function. When choose a base layer, choose fabric that has a high level of heat preservation/needling system that offers better system that reserves temperature.
- Breathability. Consider if it has one-way dry-fast function to prevent the wetness being transported from the outside to your skin, but wicking quickly from your skin to the outside. Indeed, isolate your body from the outside air, but makes your body easy to breath at the same time
- Fit. The base layer should JUST FIT your body curve or a little BIT TIGHT. Such preference leaves no room/space between our body and the base layer, therefore, less possibility that cool air would get in and preserves heat better.
During the winter, I have a lot of beginners messaged me consulting what they should wear to go ski/snowboarding.
Here are some survival tips for beginners who would like to try a First Timer session. Nathan, my partner, as a ski instructor for 13 years has also been consulted by his student what kind of clothes they should wear to his first session. It motivates me to write a post to introduce the outfit I would recommend to all the riders/rider to-be. lol.
This outfit is a typical outfit I would wear for snowboarding. There are few reasons for choosing a bib pants as a beginner:
- Protective. As a beginner, be prepared to crash. Ski/snowboarding is a sport that you need to learn from crashing. Snow gets into gaps between the bottom of the jacket and the top of our snow pants. Even some jackets and pants are designed to have edges that prevent snow gets into the gaps, but bib pants are better choices to eliminate that gap.
- Storage. I find bib pants have more storage than ski/snowboard pants, which they are commonly designed to have pockets in front of your chest, on the side of your both knees. I bring some chocolate and energy bars with me, as well as my daily-pass. So, the more storage, the better for me
- Uni-sex. Some gear brands are now designing the bib pants to suit both male and female. I always size up when choosing ski/snowboarding clothes. I am 166cm and the size I choose mostly fit people 170-175cm. Nate is 178cm, and he fits some of my bib pants as well. Sometimes it is really fun to exchange outfit and see him wear bright colors
ALOHA! Yes!!! It’s Emily!!!
- sunscreen
- water, energy drink, chocolate
- mosquito screen/bracelet
- long socks
- band-aid
We definitely need some brights during this pandemic period. No matter it is a cup of coffee with family, movie with friends or travels (but travel seems to be a luxury now). As a fashion enthusiast, my best option during this time is to stay at home for a fashion movie/documentary, or go for a local art exhibition.
Few days ago, I was invited by the founder and designer of JOTEO to his current exhibition in art gallery of Brisbane. However, I am still stuck overseas and not be able to go back to Australia due to the travel ban. Being a person who always take loss as opportunities, I'd like to do a virtual tour with all those who cannot go by themselves.
The current exhibit combines two collections that Joash has done for JOTEO. The recidivism and the Ephemera.
The roots of recidivism collections originated from the French revolution. It uses the technique of smocking with simple cut, drape and high quality fabrics. This collection also gets inspiration from rococo. Rather than additive of couture elements, the smocking technique assists the whole piece to achieve the rococo-inspired detailing. If you are a fan of old houses of french designers, Joash's recidivism might reminds you of the Givenchy dress that Audrey Hepburn worn back in 1955 at 'Villa Rolli'. Although the inspiration and whole idea of design are totally different, but we could also see the spirit of good designers are never so different.
The exhibition ends on 28th November 2020. Please do not hesitate to go and take the chance to visit the great work by these artists. Along with Joash's collection, there would be art works by other artists waiting to be discovered.
Location：Artisan Gallery
45 King Street, Bowen Hills, Brisbane, QLD