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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Ah, just what I come to the Beauty & Fashion forum for -- angry, judgmental posts about style and clothes that leave zero room for personal variation or preference.  :lol:

Anyway, my credentials: I hike a couple times a week AND I'm from Colorado. Also, my husband and I went on a rather infamous (in our family) hike for one of our first dates, and he says it's both how he discovered what a badass I am and started to fall in love with me.

In warm weather, hiking clothes are super easy -- I do lightweight leggings (usually 7/8th length as I hate anything cropped mid calf) with a longline sports bra and a light layer (lightweight hoody or t-shirt, or a tank if it's really hot). Trail running shoes instead of hiking boots. For my summer gear, I like to use a consistent color palette so things "go" but aren't overly matchy. The last few years I've been doing a lot of navy and hot pink and I really like it. A hot pink sports bra with navy leggings and white or light blue outer layer is cute without being obnoxious. And don't forget sunscreen!

In cold weather, it's a little trickier to look cute but very doable. I still stick to a consistent palette, but it's way more neutral (grays and greens with the occasional purple for fun). For me, the key is a good base layer. I have some nondescript stuff from Amazon that I can layer under slim fitting Levis (yes, I wear jeans when I hike, at least in winter), a pair of corduroys, or even leggings if the base layer is tight fitting enough (though you lose some of the warmth if you make everything super tight, so YMMV). But I've picked up a couple really cute base layer tops from Smart Wool and Sweaty Betty in the last year and they are perfect for winter hiking. Sweaty Betty even has some apres ski turtlenecks that are great if you regularly hike in inclement weather. I love them.

Then, depending on exactly how cold/windy/rainy/snowy it is, I will either do a wool sweater (I have a couple Mens ones from my husband's closet that are very cute and oversized with a slim fitting bottom). Or, more often in the mid-Atlantic, I do a lightweight puffy vest. It's perfect for hiking because you can zip it up when you start to keep your core warm, but as you work up a sweat, you can unzip for air flow or even remove and stuff in the bottom of a backpack where it won't take up much room.

Then warm-weather accessories, which I think are wear you really get to cute-n up hiking outfit -- I like tech running gives from Lululemon because my hands always get cold, a knit beanie, and either traditional hiking boots (I like LL Bean) or my lined Sorels, depending on the difficulty of the hike and the weather. The Sorels are warmer but don't offer as much ankle support or traction, though they do pretty well and have been wonderful for hiking in snowy weather when we are up north. Oh, and I love Darn Tough socks, even more than Smart Wool.

And a good hiking backpack. I have an old Patagonia but it's falling apart from overuse, so might replace with a Fjallraven this year (I know, it's trendy, but they are practical and come in cute colors). Something relatively small, because you really don't need more than a snack, some water, and room to store a layer. I also like to pack a camera! And I think a running watch or smart watch is nice because it's kind of fun to track your progress and heart rate.

I think the key is to focus on practical pieces that will keep you comfortable, since on a date, you don't want to be freezing or overheating or complaining about your feet hurting or whatever. And then once you know what pieces you need for practical purposes, seek out cute things in flattering colors. But try to opt for quality over fashion brands. Patagonia is wonderful. REI is too. LL Bean and Lands End have surprisingly fashionable items if you can get the fit right.[/quote]

Great post except your warm weather outfit would cause heatstroke in the DC area summers :)  [/quote]

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