Gen Z Urban Outdoorsmen; How Nature's Closet Shifted in the COVID-19 Pandemic
When the pandemic hit we were forced inside for longer than expected. We were too cooped up so we started taking up outdoor activities to "escape". Also as a way to avoid or shed “the Covid 15”. We started biking more and going for walks and hikes. Some of us even hopped on the gym trend if you could find one that was open and allowing you to workout. The increase in city kids wanting to experience the outdoors is a good opportunity for brands wanting to reach these “Urban Outdoorsmen'' as they are called.
“The increase in city kids wanting to experience the outdoors is a good opportunity for brands wanting to reach these “Urban Outdoorsmen’’ as they are called.”
This caused a boost in outdoor sales but as more began to open up, and with this increased demand people are looking to blend their outdoor activities with their previous normal ‘city’ lives in a blended lifestyle – and clothes to match. Brands such as Arcteryx, Gortex, the North Face have become staples in the “urban outdoor” space. These brands also had to kinda change to fit their new audience of younger people while remaining true to who they are by doing collabs with figures who’ve been prominent in this space they’re now venturing into such as Kaws, Gucci, Supreme, Nike,etc.
“One example of this spike of attraction to certain styles is a style referred to as “post apocalyptic.” Most commonly related to designers such as Rick Owens, Vivienne Westwood, and Yohji Yamamoto, to name a few.”
The pandemic has made a huge cultural change on trends in fashion. Fashion trends since the pandemic have been centered around outdoor/winter wear and accessories. Pieces such as coats, jackets, scarfs, balaclavas have especially been a focal point in current fashion trends. With that being said, certain facets or styles have become more popular. One example of this spike of attraction to certain styles is a style referred to as “post apocalyptic.” Most commonly related to designers such as Rick Owens, Vivienne Westwood, and Yohji Yamamoto, to name a few. These brands/style, for the most part, center themselves around neutral colors with avant-garde and camp silhouettes, accompanied by many layers and tones to create these aesthetic outfits.
“I know a lot of people who, over the first quarantine, started finding things about themselves they didn’t know before (relating to outdoors).”
The biggest outdoor growth within an age group would be Gen Z because most of them spend their time on their phones or inside but the pandemic kind of forced everyone to take their inside groups outside. I know a lot of people who, over the first quarantine, started finding things about themselves they didn’t know before (relating to outdoors). They found a new love for hiking, climbing, or running, and basic stuff like that but just had never taken the time to try any of it in the past. So a lot of people are becoming more outdoorsy and that all relates to the fashion industry because of the high demands to keep creating these different looks/protection gear for the different types of activities like biking, fishing, hiking etc. so all of these retail companies are benefiting from the increased purchases of these brands.
“there’s opportunity for all types of brands to connect with Gen Z on their new love for outdoors.”
These gains don’t have to be exclusive to the outdoor industry however, there’s opportunity for all types of brands to connect with Gen Z on their new love for outdoors. People making outdoor TikTok trends, exploring outdoor passions such as photography, videography, to music playlists centered on various outdoor themes, skincare for different weather, or health-nutrition focused on outdoor activities – Gen Z has opened up to a new urban outdoorsmen lifestyle. We are in the great outdoors, and are open to support from brands to make our new lifestyles seamless.