White Mountaineering SS 2012 Dune Rover: wandering free

This is a fairly tame offering as far as White Mountaineering is concerned and all the more better for it as far as I am concerned, because this stuff has 'sell-by' written all over it on the timeless styleometer.

Take those cargo pants. I just wouldn't. But I don't mind the jacket.

White Mountaineering – Pertex Cotton Yarn Dyed 3 Layer Multiple Tissue Luggage Hood Parka: A coat by any other name

Just as I'm about to dismiss White mountaineering for disappearing up its own jacquard Gore Tex-lined, multi-coloured taped arse, they bring out something I could actually imagine wearing.

Only recently I happened to be the lucky recipient of one of their enormous shemagh scarves which doubles up as a handy floor cloth when out picknicking in the wilderness. Now they have released this parka, which aside from having the longest name I have ever seen bestowed upon a coat, I would actually wear.

Via Freshness

White Mountaineering A/W 2011: go for a hike

White Mountaineering have finally released something that doesn't look like it should be on the shoulders of a travelling shaman with this gilet and backpack.

Both the gilet and the backpack even go a little way towards bearing out the name of the brand, seeing as they look a little like you could go mountaineering in them.

So top marks there, definitely. Apart from that bottom pic that looks like a Morrocan rug. They just cannot leave those patterns alone.

Via Slamxhpe

White Mountaineering Pertex jacket: I detect a pattern

I had high hopes for White Mountaineering once. I truly thought I had found a possible contender for the place of Visvim in my heart. Then came the patterns. Not just as a detail, but everywhere, on everything from knitwear to Gore Tex (or in this case Pertex) jackets. And it wasn't just one or two variations on a style. Patterns, it has become apparent to me, are White Mountaineering's trademark.

Which is fine if you are a hippy or a Nepalese goatherder (have I written these words before?) but the look of a monied crusty spouting peace and love while wearing a £2k jacket is a bit much for me.

That said, there are elements I like about this jacket. All on the inside, where there's no pattern.

 

White mountaineering AW2011: I can see a pattern emerging

I still haven't really got my head around White Mountaineering. There are parallels with Visvim on the technical side which are totally up my street and the folk influences offer a unique enough angle.

But all those patterned knits and patchwork creations do have a whiff of the Libyan freedom fighter about them.

Whatever, my opinion counts for nothing in the scheme of things and if you're not into snowflake jumpers there's always the BLK line.

One thing is for sure, White Mountaineering doesn't appear ready to take a different direction anytime soon.

White mountaineering Nep Tweed 3L jacket: bag me a bird while you're at it

When White Mountaineering takes on the country set they don't do things by halves. The traditional tweed jacket might well be perfectly weather proof and quite capable of crashing through a few sturdy hedges, but it doesn't come with taped seams and a 3 layer Gore tex membrane.

The White Mountaineering one does, subtly reinforcing an outer fabric of wool, polyester and angora tweed. There are a few other thoughtful details too, such as the hood hidden in the collar and the leather elbow patches.

All you need is a decent 12 bore and a few grouse to bag.

White Mountaineering: climbing up the outerwear hit parade

For a brief moment last week I did wonder if White Mountaineering might rival Visvim for my outerwear affections this winter. Until I found that Moncler V jacket I was telling you about.

All the same, I reckon this could be the most promising brand to come out of Japan for a good few years. Nice understated lines, muted colours, thoughtful details and that underlying utility element that will ensure that you are bound to favour it above other, less weather-friendly, options.

Then there is the availability. I can actually only think of The Glade as I write, which makes White Mountaineering even harder to find than you-know-what.

If you wanted more convincing, here is a look at this winter's down jacket.

Just look at the pockets. One for every day of the week.

You can find White Mountaineering at The Glade

Via Freshness