Feature
How to Love Myself Through Fashion
Loving Yourself Through Fashion: How “Gorp Core” Reflects Comfort and Identity
By Do-Hye Kim
2025-10-15
Fashion has long been considered a social means of giving a good impression. Neat clothes once symbolized trust and sincerity, and unique styles served as indicators of individuality and differentiation. However, the recent trend of fashion has shifted away from these traditional perspectives and has focused on individual inner satisfaction and self-expression. It means the criterion for choosing clothes has changed from “the gaze of others” to “your own taste and satisfaction”. The act of wearing clothes that suit you, and finding comfort and confidence in them, is now seen as the first step in revealing a personal identity. This shift shows how the practice of “self-love” through fashion is gaining attention in modern society. This self-expressive trend in fashion is also evident in the recent Gorp Core look. The term Gorp Core was first used in the New York fashion magazine The Cut, combining “Gorp” and “Normcore”. “Gorp” comes from the initials of granola, oat, raisin, and peanut—foods typically associated with hiking or camping—while “Normcore” refers to natural, understated fashion. In this regard, the Gorp Core look represents a style that blends functionality and comfort by mixing outdoor gear with everyday clothing. In practice, Gorp Core styling makes use of outdoor items such as jackets, fleece, functional pants, trekking shoes, and bucket hats, harmoniously paired with casual wear to create individuality. This styling goes beyond simple practicality and acts as a way of self-expression that visually conveys one's lifestyle and taste. It exemplifies modern fashion’s growing attention to personal satisfaction, comfort, and individuality over the expectations of others. By freely balancing functionality with style, and activity with daily life, the Gorp Core look demonstrates how fashion has become an active act of self-understanding and expression rather than a passive choice of clothing. After all, fashion is not merely about following trends or consuming a particular style. It is also about understanding and nurturing yourself. What you wear is more than just a reflection of taste; it is an expression of self-respect and confidence. Each choice of clothing can embody a "small practice of living as you are.” As world-renowned designer Coco Chanel once said, "Fashion is not just about clothes, it is about the sky, the streets, the way we live, and ideas." In this exact context, fashion becomes less about others’ perceptions and more about a personal attitude toward life—that is, the most immediate way of expressing love for oneself.