DC Mens Outerwear F/W 2026/27 Preview

Retail Buyers Guide: Mens Outerwear F/W 2026/27 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: DC
Interviewee: CHRISTOPHER CARDY /DC SNOW & APPAREL DESIGNER

INTRODUCTION / SETTING THE SCENE
For the 2026/27 season, Europe has taken back the design lead for DC Snow, after the program was previously run from the US. All design and development for this collection has happened here in France. I joined the DC team in October 2024 with the clear mission of renewing DC Snow. We approached this as a full reset — reworking the collection architecture, strategy, and style. We spent a lot of time in the DC archives and even further back into the origins of the DUB brand. The new collection is built around three clear style pillars:

Storm Division – Backcountry
Lucid Arc – Park
Urban Eclipse – Street

In short, DC Snow’s direction is focused on STYLE / ATTITUDE / FUNCTIONALITY / PRICE & ACCESSIBILITY, with pieces designed to work across both mountain and urban environments, and with a strong unisex approach.

In 2 sentences – how was the men’s snow outerwear market in 2024/25?
While I have extensive experience in outerwear, 2026/27 will be my first snow-specific season at DC. So my perspective is more focused on where the brand is headed rather than where the market has been.

What are the main trends you take your inspiration from for 2026/27?
Streetwear, outdoor influences, and deep dives into the DC and DUB archives — not to remake vintage pieces, but to reinterpret their attitude in a modern way. The goal is to capture the spirit and character of those eras while aligning with today’s youth-driven streetwear and current snow trends, creating something fresh rather than nostalgic.

What new jacket fits and pant silhouettes are coming out in 2026/27?
Around 90% of the collection is new or updated, so there’s a lot to discover. A major focus is on baggy fits, which feel authentic to both snow and street right now. We’ve worked hard to refine the proportions — looser without being sloppy, with articulated shaping and lengths that function on-mountain but still look natural in an urban context. Across jackets and pants, the silhouettes have been designed to feel current, confident, and aligned with today’s youth-driven aesthetic.

Tell us about colours and prints:
The colour palette is balanced and versatile. For prints, I wanted staples with clear DC DNA — so we introduced a reinterpretation of a classic British camo, a 90s-inspired check, and for something more trend-driven (and aligned with our unisex direction), a Lilac Spray print.

Any *NEW* technical stories with regards to fabrics and materials?
Our strategy isn’t to chase the highest technical specs or compete in the GORE-TEX space — many brands already fill that niche. That said, to maintain legitimacy as a snowboard brand, we’re introducing a 30K/20K 3-Layer STORM DIVISION system (jacket, insulator, bib, and pant) that delivers strong technical performance at competitive price points. We’re also exploring novelty fabrics with functional attributes you don’t often see in the mountains — for example, our 10K corduroy jacket and pant, which blend style with real on-snow usability. Alongside this, thoughtful details like stowaway balaclavas and multi-use components give the collection practical benefits without trying to be the most high-tech offering on the market. It’s about combining function, style, and accessibility in ways that feel fresh for DC.

How are you addressing sustainability topics, not only in production of your products (materials, transportation, packaging) but also their after-life / repurposing?
A large portion of our line now uses recycled fabrics, and we’re actively working to expand this further alongside broader Boardriders Group initiatives. It’s a continuous effort, and we’re committed to moving forward responsibly.

Any trends that your brand is moving away from?
Nothing specific that we are excluding at this stage — the aim was to rebuild the foundation first.

Key Products:
Our biggest push this season is the Trackstar Jacket & Pant. The goal was to create a youthful, price-accessible kit.

Trackstar Pant — €160:
A 10K baggy-fit pant with hem adjustment and an easy cord adjustment system. It’s an effortless pant that works for everyone, offered in black, contrast-stitched solid colours, and a Lilac print — perfect for riders looking for strong style.

Trackstar Jacket — €200:
Also 10K with a baggy fit, athletic panelling, a packable hood, and a stowable balaclava.
Together, they make a standout €360 unisex kit, visible throughout our lookbook — I’m genuinely excited about this one.

Trackstar Puffer — €230:
We also have the Trackstar Puffer — €230, a 10K insulated jacket designed for both snow and lifestyle use. We understand many younger riders can’t buy separate jackets for mountain and city, so this piece bridges both worlds with details like a stowable printed balaclava and a concealed sleeve/pass pocket. It works just as well on a city scooter as it does in the park.