The modern woman has places to be, and ideally, one outfit capable of taking her there. An afternoon outdoors can easily turn into dinner and drinks without time to go home and change. Dressing for both often means negotiating between form and function, with one sacrificed for the other. Jane Wade offers another possibility with a collection that refuses to choose between utility and style.
Drawing from the textures, materials, and equipment of the outdoors, Wade’s Spring/Summer 2027 collection, The Riverbed, transforms technical dressing into something sculptural, feminine, and wearable. Nylon, jersey, and utilitarian details are shaped into pieces that feel ready for movement without looking confined to the trail.
That tension places Wade in conversation with the rise of gorpcore, but not neatly inside it. Outdoor brands like Arc’teryx and Salomon have helped push technical clothing into the fashion conversation, though their designs remain primarily rooted in performance. Wade starts from that same language of utility and pulls it into a softer, stranger space. A water shoe becomes part of a styled look, a dry bag becomes an accessory, and even a parachute-style umbrella takes on a more fashion-forward role.
Matching sets are a highlight of the show. One slate-gray nylon zip-up jacket is paired with matching mini shorts, creating a streamlined silhouette, while the jacket’s high collar and cinched waist add structure. Another set pairs a tan cap-sleeved zip-up vest with a coordinating mini skirt that falls right above the knees; curved seams and oversized patch pockets give the look a utilitarian edge. Though the pieces feel inspired by hiking gear, Wade never lets them fall into one strict category, leaving it to the wearer to decide where and how they want to wear each piece. Toward the end of the collection, the mood turns more futuristic with a high-neck sculptural A-line mini dress. Its lattice-like metallic fabrication creates a chainmail effect across the body, clinking delicately with every step.
This constant push and pull between practicality and femininity gives the collection its character. Wade does not simply borrow from outdoor dressing; she reworks it into something more personal, where water bottles become accessories, technical fabrics are cut into daintier shapes, and survival gear can feel unexpectedly elegant.
