Alaskans are not really known for their sense of fashion. In fact, blogs and magazines scoff at the state’s style. Travel + Leisure Magazine, as well as online news site Fashionista, have named Anchorage America’s “worst dressed city.”
What are Alaskans to do? Wear five-inch heels on ice sidewalks? Break out their best during the messy, muddy spring breakup? Dress to the nines in nine below zero temperatures?
In Alaska, the hottest fashion trends usually focus on staying warm and the best threads that balance “function with fun” and “strength with style”. That’s why big name brands like The North Face, Patagonia, Arc’teryx and REI are popular for those who can afford them and those who want to look Alaska chic.
But how do you dress like an Alaskan?
The garments Alaskans pledge their allegiance to are the ones they use the most and last the longest. They are tough, not trendy, keep you dry when it’s wet, keep you cool when Alaska’s Midnight Sun is blazing and warm when you’re out at 3 am gazing at the northern lights.
If Alaskans have a fashion mantra, it’s “layers, layers, layers.” It can get windy, wet or warm in a heartbeat here. That’s why finding a light yet effective windbreaker and light yet breathable base layer is like striking gold. Bonus points if they look cool.
Fabulous Alaska Footwear
Xtratuf boots embody Alaska’s functional fashion. These rubber boots are designed for fishermen and folks who work and live around water, but Alaskans have adopted them as all-purpose footwear. Yes, they’ll keep you dry at the docks and in the rain, but Alaskans also wear insulated versions in deep snow and deeper cold, when they are painting or cleaning fish, or if they are walking in the garden or the streets. Some fans roll the tops of their boots down, while others cut the boot top off entirely, just above the ankle, for easier walking. Using duct tape to seal tears in the boots is a real Alaskan move as well.
Xtratufs boots are classic Alaskan high fashion
These days, you can fancy up your Xtra Tuffs. A local Alaska company, Salmon Sisters, creates Alaska-themed cute linings of Xtra Tuff Boots.
If you can find them, big bunny boots are an Alaska footwear classic. Issued by the military for cold-weather operations long ago, and also discontinued long ago, used pairs of these clunky but warm boots were sold later to civilians and are still favorites among an older generation.
Carhartts
With an array of jackets, overalls, hats, shirts, pants and more, Carhartt is a brand that many Alaskans drape themselves in from head to toe. The brand is tough and trusted for outdoor work use, but you might even see a Carhartt suit coat worn in certain courtrooms, government offices and professional settings. Seriously.
Insulated Skirts
As for Alaska’s women, Skhoop brand skirts from Scandinavia have become a fashion phenomenon. These insulated outerwear skirts are worn as a warm layer of protection in winter, spring and fall. They also come in different colors and lengths, which can be accessorized with any AK look.
Copper River Fleece
The Copper River Fleece company, located in the small fishing town of Cordova, is known for making warm, durable garments that combine function with an authentic Alaska look. They use high-tech softshell and windblock fleece fabrics to create jackets, vests, and hoodies that can withstand tough Alaska weather. What sets their clothing apart is the signature trim, which features designs from local artists that showcase Alaska’s culture, including Tlingit art, salmon, and bear tracks. This blend of tough materials and artistic details makes their clothing popular with Alaskans and a way for people to take home a piece of the state.
AK Starfish Co.
AK Starfish Company, located in Seward, creates clothing and accessories that show off a love for Alaska’s marine life. The company’s unique designs are often based on hand-drawn art, with the original design inspired by starfish seen in Sadie Cove near Homer. This focus on local, authentic art gives their products a genuine Alaskan feel. Ak Starfish’s clothing, including popular hoodies and trucker hats, has become a favorite with both women and men who want to wear designs that are tough, fun, and true to the state’s coastal lifestyle. It’s a way to wear your love for Alaska on your sleeve, with a style that is both relaxed and recognizable.
Trickster Company
Based in Juneau, Trickster Company is an Alaska Native-owned business that creates clothing and art with a unique twist. Founded by siblings Rico and Crystal Worl, their mission is to promote innovative Indigenous design and art. Their products – from t-shirts and hoodies to leggings and skirts – feature intricate designs rooted in Northwest Coast art. What makes their clothing so special is how it uses traditional art in a modern way, celebrating Alaska Native culture and bridging the gap between old traditions and today’s lifestyle. Wearing apparel from Trickster Company is about telling a story and providing a way for people to show their cultural pride.
But they don’t stop at clothing and accessories – Crystal has even designed the wrap of an Alaska Airlines 737!
Fishe Wear
What does a fashionista wear when she is a fishing machine who wants to look stylish in Alaska and beyond? The answer lies with Fishe Wear, an Alaskan-born company that designs outdoor clothing for women. Their apparel and gear balance function with fashion, proving you can look good while braving the elements. From leggings and sun shirts to dry bags, their products feature vibrant, detailed prints of fish.
These designs celebrate Alaska’s fish and the state’s outdoor way of life. They are tough, just like the people who wear them, and are made for the water and for anyone who loves spending time in the outdoors.
And last but not least, if there was a “Proud Alaskan” uniform, an Alaska Grown T-shirt or a hooded sweatshirt from the Salty Dawg Saloon in Homer would be standard issue. Wear one back home and you’re sure to get an occasional nod of recognition from a fellow Alaska traveler or an Alaska transplant.