While hiking on Mount Major in New Hampshire last summer, I saw a young woman wearing short denim cutoffs and tall brown cowboy boots. Rookie, I smugly thought to myself. But at the same time, I understood the impulse behind bringing a sense of style on the trail.

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Read about clothing and gear from the past in this AMC Outdoors feature. See the fusion of outdoor clothing and high fashion in this video from Aspen Fashion Week. Read more about new trends in clothing and gear in AMC's Equipped blog.

Though I was wearing what could be classified as proper hiking gear—comfortable, moisture-wicking fabrics—I had not exactly compromised my personal tastes when I got dressed that day. I wore a black shirt with a funky pink screen print and fitted cargo shorts in a light grey. I wore no makeup or jewelry, and was certainly comfortable in my clothing, but I did put some effort into appearing put-together. There was going to be a summit photo, after all.

Thankfully, outdoor clothing and gear manufacturers now offer a variety of options to help the more fashion-conscious among us find a happy medium between style and practicality. With today's technical fashions, you get all the safety and performance characteristics of outdoor gear (like wicking or waterproof fabrics) without giving up on aesthetics. "One thing I've noticed is that there's a lot more color out on the trails," says AMC Equipped columnist and blogger Matt Heid. "It used to be lots of earth tones—brown and green—but now I see a lot more red and yellow."

Stylish outdoor clothing isn't only about looking good; it's about versatility. Lots of people are squeezing in outdoor activities with the rest of their daily lives. They bike to work, attend lunchtime yoga classes, or head out for impromptu afternoon hikes, so it's important that their clothing be appropriate for a wide variety of activities. Office casual just won't cut it; they need clothing designed specifically to perform.

"Good outdoor companies know that function always come first," says Kristin Hostetter, gear editor at Backpacker magazine. In other words: Know the brands that specialize in outdoor recreation and stick with the ones that you trust, then choose clothing based on your personal tastes.

Here are a few suggestions for showing off your personal style on the trails without sacrificing utility.

Hats, headbands, and sunglasses
"Fashionable outdoor enthusiasts should be equipped with the proper accessories—hats and/or headbands and sunglasses," says AMC Adventure Travel Programs Manager Colleen Yout. Items like hats, headbands, and gloves will not only provide comfort and warmth, but are also an opportunity to add some colorful flair to your outdoor ensemble. Choose headwear with an unusual pattern, like this knit hat from Marmot, or with a slightly different shape, like this beret-style beanie from Burton.

Some styles, like this headband from Pearl Izumi, are even adapted to allow a wearer's ponytail to fit through—no more "hat head"! Many outdoor eyewear manufacturers like Oakley and Smith Optics offer a variety of styles beyond the classic sporty wraparound but with the same amount of UV protection, translating from the summit to the streets with ease.

Coats, jackets, and warm layers
"The 'little black dress' of the outdoor world, in terms of its go-to versatility, would have to be a puffy down jacket," says Hostetter. Indeed, a good coat is the cornerstone of a proper outdoor wardrobe, and most manufacturers, like Cloudveil, L.L. Bean, and Outdoor Research, offer some version of this classic style in a rainbow of colors.

However, high-quality coats and other warm layers can be big-ticket items. Shopping off-season may net you some great deals on colors and styles you may not have originally considered. "I got...snowpants at the end of the winter season, more than half off the full price. They are great quality, and a light color—much different than the standard black," Yout says. Hostetter agrees: "Aside from shopping close-outs, the web is our best friend. Great deals abound if you're willing to spend some time on Google." An unexpected benefit to wearing an unusual or stand-out color is added visibility, which could come in handy in an emergency.

Hiking dresses and men's kilts
One way for women to truly stand out on the trail is with a hiking dress. Unlike a conventional dress, a hiking dress like this style from Skirt Sports is about as simple as you can get—lightweight, quick-drying, wrinkle-resistant, and universally flattering. Small details like hidden pockets add function, while a small amount of stretch in the fabric gives the wearer increased ease of movement. But perhaps best of all, it can be worn straight from the trail to a post-hike social or dinner with low-key elegance.

For the style-minded man, gear manufacturers like Mountain Hardwear and Sport Kilt offer hiking and backpacking kilts in hard-wearing fabrics, featuring utilitarian details such as cargo pockets and built-in nylon web belts. Mountain Hardwear's kilt is offered in a subtle "coyote" tan, while Sport Kilt is slightly more adventurous, offering a selection of bright tartan plaid kilts. Kilt enthusiasts name freedom of movement and breathability as primary benefits, and some hikers enjoy how their kilt ends up being a conversation piece on the trails.

Footwear and socks
Hiking shoe options are as varied as the terrain on which you'll use them. Colors and styles are not limited to the classic brown leather and suede (unless your tastes lean toward the retro, in which case, classic brown it is!). Look for unexpected accents like contrast stitching–like this style from Scarpa–unusual lacing, or a bold splash of color, like these Asolo boots, offered in bright red and sky blue. Many hiking shoe styles from brands like Merrell and Salomon are designed for "hybrid" wear, meaning the shoe is meant for both street and trail, looking and functioning appropriately in either situation. Of course, there is always the option to accessorize your footwear with bright-colored or patterned socks, like these women's and men's styles from Smartwool, because, well, why not?

In hindsight, there wasn’t actually much of a difference between me and the woman I saw hiking in cowboy boots. My clothing may have been on the more practical end of the spectrum, but our motivations were similar. Enjoying the outdoors does not necessarily mean being immune to vanity, but if we want to both show our style and still make it to the summit, it's simply not worth the potential pain and misery of a shoe that pinches or a shirt that bunches. The trick is finding the right balance, because life is too short to wear beige.