The North Face x Gucci Is Back and Less Affordable Than Ever
For the second time, the gear outfitter and Italian fashion house have come together and produced a new generation of adventure-curious streetwear.
Last January, mega-brands Gucci and The North Face cobbled together an unlikely partnership and apparel line. Last week, the pair expanded on The North Face x Gucci saga, adding a host of new product categories, styles, and nature-themed prints.
The Fall/Winter 2021 capsule collab runs the apparel gamut: parkas to fanny packs, pants to bucket hats, backpacks to boots. Gucci describes this drop as “a selection of styles with an outdoor-inspired feel.”
Pricing for the latest set of TNF x Gucci gear starts at $590 with a baseball cap and tops out at $4,800 with a ruffled prairie dress. You know, in keeping with Gucci’s fashion-house roots.
Here’s what else we can tell you.
Technically, It’s Not Technical Apparel
It’s probably worth noting that TNF x Gucci’s Fall/Winter 2021 gear isn’t really made to stand up to more serious outdoor adventures.
But, reportedly, the line uses recycled ECONYL in place of nylon and down insulation that’s 100% certified responsible, which should be enough to keep you warm in at least a few situations.
Except for a few color-blocked, puffy-inspired coats, one unmistakably TNF detail you’ll find on display here is the brand’s iconic Half-Dome logo. Which, of course, sits atop a matching “GUCCI.” Otherwise, any of the pieces from this winter collection might pass for everyday streetwear at New York Fashion Week.
The North Face x Gucci (Emphasis on ‘Gucci’)
The mash-up uses apparel and accessories cut by the designer label and superimposes earthy colors and wilderness prints that may or may not be a nod to Mossy Oak.
Here are some more of the top picks from the collection:
Don’t worry, compulsive sweater heads — this bad boy is “unavailable” per the product page. But if The North Face x Gucci sweater does exist, it’s out there living its best life as a wool jacquard blend, which sounds like it could be kind of itchy.
Then again, the term “wool jacquard” is new to us, so take that for whatever it’s worth to you.
The North Face x Gucci belt bag (yes, lower case) features “forest print” ECONYL fabric outer, green genuine-leather trim, ECONYL lining, zipper closure, and adjustable webbing waist belt with a buckle clasp. Gucci has not disclosed material information for the zipper pull, clasp, or belt adjuster components.
Dimensions and sizing:
- Pouch dimensions: 8.7″ W x 5″ H x 2.4″ D
- Belt lengths: 75 cm (34″); 95 cm (42″)
If you’re worried that your high-end “belt bag” (it’s a fanny pack, c’mon) might be mistaken for a more practical vessel, fear not! Gucci’s very detailed care instructions answered any questions we might have had about the belt bag‘s actual usefulness. Here are the instructions (verbatim):
- Protect from direct light, heat, and rain. Should it become wet, dry it immediately with a soft cloth.
- Fill the bag with tissue paper to help maintain its shape and absorb humidity, and store in the provided flannel bag.
- Do not carry heavy products that may affect the shape of the bag.
- Clean with a soft, dry cloth.
To further cement the “look but don’t touch” vibrations coming off this thing, it’s only available in stores.
The North Face x Gucci padded vest features green and black “GG” canvas with down padding, web embroidering, four patch pockets, snap button closure, and duck feather/goose down fill. Gucci makes the vest in sizes XXS through XXL. We’re not entirely sure what that means thanks to the oddly confusing sizing chart. But the brand does note that a small vest measures 27.7 inches in length.
Much like the fanny pack above, the padded vest is also exclusively available in store.
Also available in the mossy/earthy/adventurish forest print are The North Face x Gucci backpack and baseball hat. Similar to the — ahem — belt bag, the outer shells here feature recycled nylon ECONYL fabric. Genuine green and brown leather rounds out the trim.
Two zippered, ECONYL-lined compartments, potentially padded shoulder straps, and nylon webbing complete the backpack, which measures 13 x 19.3 x 5.1 inches. And you guessed it — this itty bitty pack is, indeed, available in store.
TNF x Gucci’s budget item, the baseball hat, uses a cotton/viscose lining and an adjustable Velcro back. It’s available in sizes XS through L online and in stores. But for the XL size, you’ll have to go in store.
Expect to treat these puppies with the same white-glove care you’d apply to, I don’t know, a fancy fanny pack.
For now, The North Face has left it to Gucci to move units. The TNF x Gucci collection is only available through the fashion house and a few Gucci-exclusive dealers. Check it out for yourself at gucci.com.
Green Guide to Buying Outdoor Apparel
Do you know how much environmental harm your outdoor apparel does? Here are some signposts to help you buy with confidence. Read more…
The post The North Face x Gucci Is Back and Less Affordable Than Ever appeared first on GearJunkie.