Technical terminology, by its very nature, can be hard to follow. “Technical clothing”, as a term, no less so. In fashion, the distinction is often deployed as a catch-all for articles made from synthetic fabrics. However, not all synthetic fabrics can be considered technical. And some natural fibres do certain tasks better than synthetic ones – take silk or even wool, which are increasingly finding their way into top-end sporting gear, or densely woven or treated cotton, which can repel rain. But then, technically, these also aren’t technical. Still with us?

Then there’s the maze of trademarked materials with equally confounding arrangements of letter cases, from GORE-TEX to eVent to Dri-FIT. See also graphene, a wearable carbon allotrope that can stop bullets, harness solar energy and glow in the dark, if that’s your jam. It can be all too easy to get lost, which is sort of how we found ourselves here in the first place. 

Much of the technical gear that has become everyday attire came via outdoor brands such as The North Face and Patagonia. Originally developed for climbing, skiing and hiking, the practical, rugged nature of this utilitarian aesthetic chimes well with the uncertain times we’re living through. What was once worn through necessity has become stylish and today you’re as likely to see a down jacket in a dazzling shade of orange in Milan during fashion week as on a mountainside during a weather window.

The phrase that you might have come across is “gorpcore”, which has gained traction in recent years. A step on from normcore, the gorp here is a nod to “good old raisins and peanuts”, the trail mix that kept the pioneers of this trend going as they explored the wilderness. Just like that jumble of high-energy snacks, this trend draws from disparate disciplines and often comes paired with sportswear, workwear, streetwear and even traditional formalwear, all of which can make knowing your way around your wardrobe seem like navigating Narnia. But fear not, MR PORTER is here to help. All you need is a guide.

The gilet is an article of clothing that has enjoyed a renaissance of late and with good reason – there are few items more versatile. A down gilet, or vest, can be worn instead of a coat in spring or autumn, when the cold is little more than a nip. In the belly of winter, it comes into its own as an extra layer under, or over, a jacket. Many men have taken to wearing one with tailoring to add a modern twist to a traditional look. And while we see the logic, a gilet peeping through under a shell raincoat – here by Nike’s outdoor offshoot, ACG – seems to be its natural, if synthetic, place. Note the clever use of a down vest not just to add heft, but to provide a splash of colour to an otherwise monochrome outfit.  

Performance gear can be serious kit, built to withstand serious conditions, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with it. Synthetic fabrics lend themselves to bright colours, lurid patterns and reflective details, all of which have a practical application – to get the wearer spotted. This can be useful when caught in an avalanche, or when catching the eye of a street-style photographer. As with any conspicuous item of clothing, it pays to pair it with more subdued pieces. Or better yet, pick out a colour and run with it. 

The growing popularity of backcountry skiing and snowboarding has led to an increase in the number of practitioners abandoning managed alpine resorts in favour of hiking with splitboards through wild mountain terrain. But the influence of ski and snow gear can also be seen at lower altitudes, and such clothing will certainly keep you warm in winter. Often designed to stand out against a white backdrop, so offloaded gear won’t get lost in the snow, it will also pop in the urban environment. And while we might stop short of donning goggle-style eyewear, we have to admit it completes this guy’s look. It is, however, a slippery slope.

Given the fashion industry’s adoption of outdoor gear and running shoes, it was only a matter of time before it put two and two together. For aficionados, trail running shoes have long held ground beyond trail running. Combining the traction of hiking boots with the lightweight zippiness of sneakers, they provide a point of interest to those not scampering up and down fells. A left-field departure from the dad shoes of recent seasons, they’re more robust than their pedestrian counterparts. And, perhaps hoping no one will notice once they’re splattered in mud, often come in a multitude of eye-popping colours. Best teamed, again, with a muted palette.

The stylish rehabilitation of the fleece from dorky rambling get-up to streetwear staple is a remarkable turnaround. Developed in the late 1970s to mimic wool, sustainable brands such as Patagonia championed the use of strong, light synthetic pile fabrics that could be made out of recycled plastic bottles. Designer labels are now latching on to the fleece’s potential to add texture to an ensemble and to put the “fun” into functional. The above example comes equipped with contrasting pockets, which turn a practical attribute into a statement feature.

Embracing cutting-edge performance gear does not mean discarding tried-and-tested outdoor clothing. Modern technical fabrics perhaps work best – from a sartorial perspective, at least – when worn alongside natural fibres. Fabrics such as merino wool are still highly regarded for retaining heat and wicking sweat, not to mention odour resistance (something synthetic materials can struggle with). Brushed cotton and flannel, likewise, provide a fuzzy texture that contrasts sharply against sleek technical fabrics. The two gentlemen here have both used exactly this method, while wisely keeping to neutral tones.

One of the key innovations behind the growth of technical clothing is water resistance, a particularly useful attribute in inclement weather. Such garments typically employ stretched polymer fabrics as a membrane to repel water from its surface, while allowing vapour to escape from underneath (ie, it will keep the rain out without trapping your sweat in). Most of us are familiar with jackets made from technical fabrics, but few of us have considered trousers of a similar grade. Unlike this man. As well as keeping his legs dry, his trousers add a point of difference in an all-black outfit.