We’re always in search of durable, comfortable pieces for travel and casual out-on-the-town wear and recently checked out Royal Robbins’ latest collection online to pull a few pieces for showcasing to Vancouverscape readers.
With both autumn AND travel in mind, our selection includes two easily pairable skirts plus a cozy merino wool sweater by Royal Robbins.
For those of you not familiar with Royal Robbins, he and his wife Liz were part of a rock climbing community in the 1960’s that aspired to “clean climbing”, respecting the natural world and leaving little to no damage on the rocks they climbed.
Royal, considered one of the world’s best climbers, saw a need in climbing and hiking gear that would stand up against the harsh Yosemite granite yet looked and felt good to wear.
Liz became the first woman to ascend Yosemite’s Half Dome; once she reached the top in her torn jean shorts, she had the brilliant idea to design a rugged short (aka The Billy Goat) that would take the punishing climb. And so the Royal Robbins clothing company was born in Modesto, California.
Metro Melange Skirt
I was looking for just the right skirt to bridge into cooler days and chilly evenings, and I may very well have found it with the Metro Melange skirt. Its soft, breathable material is wrinkle-resistant and quick-drying, making it perfect to take on the road as well.
Mine’s in charcoal (the skirt also comes in java, a deep brown shade) and can obviously go with just about everything in my wardrobe, from denim jackets and t-shirts to blouses and sweaters.
The flat elastic waistband (hiding a small interior pocket) gives it a comfortable fit; the knee length is perfect for wearing with boots as well. With built-in 50+ UPF, I can even get some weekend sunshine in without worrying about overexposure to the sun.
The fabric is a blend of polyester, rayon and a bit of spandex and is not only durable but contains thermal properties for warmth when those cooler evenings come around.
The two-way stretch allows for a couple of ‘extra-calorie’ meals to slip by 😉
The Metro Melange skirt comes in sizes XS to XL and retails for US $60.
Jammer Skirt
A bit shorter and lighter in weight, the Jammer skirt takes on a sportier look. It’s made of nylon and spandex to bring active pursuits to a fun, casual silhouette.
This Performance Blend skirt also boasts UPF 50+ protection and contains two front pockets and a drawstring waist for a customized fit.
This one’s another wrinkle-resistant piece that I’ll surely be packing on my next trip. Think warm-weather getaways, walking on sunny boardwalks or enjoying a boat ride at sea, as the lightweight, moisture-wicking material dries quickly.
This cute skirt is also bluesign®-approved, meaning at least 90% of fabrics meet strict safety and environmental requirements for sustainable textile production.
The very comfy Jammer’s available in obsidian, light blue and deep khaki (three very easy colours to coordinate), sized from XS to XL and is priced at US $60.
First Fleet Mock Neck
There’s nothing like a classic merino wool sweater to kick off autumn’s shorter days. The First Fleet Mock Neck is designed in the Royal Robbins Sweater Craft tradition, inspired by heritage nautical styling. There’s detailing along the front, on the shoulders and at the sleeves.
Both its cuff and hem are ribbed. The sweater is meant for the outdoors, rugged yet stylish enough to pair with jeans (or skirts) and boots in winter. Though it feels lightweight, it’s toasty warm once on.
I’m wearing the dark violet with tiny flecks of colour contained within the anti-microbial merino wool, which adds to wardrobe versatility. It’s easy to take on the road too: just hand-wash in the sink and hang to dry.
The First Fleet Mock Neck is made of 100% extra fine merino and comes in dark violet, charcoal and oatmeal, sizes XS to XL and costs US $85.
Royal Robbins ships within the US (free with orders over $99) but their online store indicator includes a searchable US and Canadian retailer page by zip/postal code. Visit their online store for more of their collection.
