If you’re anything like me, then the svelte, overly serious models of New York Fashion Week may leave you feeling rather cold. It’s hard to keep a straight face when watching a runway show with the self-importance of a United Nations Security Council meeting.
Much better, I think, to watch and support the ironic — yet equally iconic — displays from the National Park Service’s own “fashion week.” Park rangers across the country have posted hilarious and wholesome videos using the hashtag #npsfashionweek, finding creative ways to showcase the aesthetics of uniforms, safety gear, and even color palettes inspired by national parks.
While sustaining a part of society slightly more important than Big Apple fashion (fight me), America’s park rangers still seem like they’re living a better life than the rest of us.
Enjoy some of our favorite posts from this annual celebration, or see all the NPS Fashion Week posts on Instagram.
Dancing Through Ranger Uniforms
There’s no doubt the highlight of this week came from Ranger Peelee Clark at North Dakota’s Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Clark shows off his impressive dance moves to Meghan Trainor’s Made You Look, while changing into a dozen or so uniform options.
That includes, of course, the iconic wide–brimmed hat. Though they became part of the standard NPS uniform in 1920, it’s actually been part of the service since it was founded in 1911.
‘Good Girls in Badlands’: 1800s Chic
Some of the rangers at Badlands National Park decided to celebrate their fashion week with a “vintage” look. And by vintage, they mean 150 years ago.
They paired an archival photo of several women in prairie dresses, titled “Good Girls in Badlands,” with a modern photo in similar prairie dresses, which is basically “1800s chic,” the rangers wrote.
“Much like their modern counterparts, historic prairie dresses keep the modest look of Victorian era fashion while being loose enough to be functional on the homestead,” the post says.
Condor Fashion 101
Forget about the latest celebrity fashions. Rangers at Redwood National Park suggest opting for an even bolder style: The uniform of the world’s largest flying scavenger.
Evidently, you, too, can “steal the look” of the California Condor. All you need is a Matrix-style trench coat, knee-high yellow boots, and a bald head! Pretty simple, and works just as well for Halloween as NPS Fashion Week.
National Park Color Palettes
Instagram user Anna Lee has quite a bit of experience at multiple national parks — in addition to a sharp eye for color. She made a series of images showing off the color palettes at four different national parks.
Mix and match a given color palette into an outfit and voilà! You’re a walking aesthetic representation of Death Valley National Park, which is both easier (and cheaper) than buying any of the many apparel collections inspired by national parks.
