SKI WEAR FROM FRANCE’S ICONIC FASHION HOUSES.

Some people dream in black and white, others slumber in color. I dream in speed… Often in the guise of French ski racing legend Jean-Claude Killy. If your nocturnal world is also populated by ski icons dressed in vintage racing stripes and patriotic colors, this winter your dreams will come true thanks to the giants of French ski wear.

Born on France’s Le Mans race track, then popularized in the 1960s by Carroll Shelbydesigned Cobras and Mustangs, racing stripes on road and track have been the embodiment of speed chic for decades. This year on the piste, it’s time to get your motor running.

Sitting in pole position is Rossignol’s sleek women’s Combes jacket and pant combo with white, black, and blue racing stripes. Its male twin is Rossi’s Cornu jacket. Both looks absolutely scream velocity.

“Retro racer” is also a major theme at Moncler Grenoble. In runway shows leading up to the ski season, lithe male models sported striped ski pants that appeared to have been amassed from a 1968 Winter Olympics time capsule. Yes, those Olympics were held in the classic French ski town of Grenoble. Not surprisingly, these nostalgic breeches are available in blue, yellow, black, green, and red — all colors of the Olympic rings.

This season’s award for “most aggressive” goes to Fusalp for its whitestriped Skipper pants. Pair these eyecatchers with Fusalp’s black-and-white Carla jacket and you’ll be more than ready for fast laps on your favorite mountain track.

France’s tricolor flag has been celebrated by French ski brands for eons, but this season it’s gone viral. On Instagram screens everywhere: a French-American collaboration between Tommy Hilfiger and Rossignol called the Tommy x Rossignol capsule collection.  The line’s Richard, Rogar, and Rock jackets are patriotic eye candy pure and simple. The understated blue, white, and red racing stripe on the Russel softshell is oh-so-retro.

Perfect Moment’s paint palette this season is also very patriotic. Its Allos onesie in white with blue and red accents is ubergorgeous, as is the slim-fitting, delicately quilted Vale jacket. Also stunning: Isola race pants with red, white, and blue ribbing.

Fusalp’s Chalet turtleneck sweater for men is basically a French flag disguised as a vintage ski sweater with racing-inspired red shoulders and ribbed sleeves over a white and blue color blocked midriff. Fusalp’s tricolor FIS sweater for women — complete with “Montagne” on its sleeves — will make you crave café et croissants before first tracks.

Speaking of onesies, Fusalp’s yellow, body-hugging one piece might just be the most killer design on the ski market this season. Inspired by the jumpsuit worn first by Bruce Lee in Game of Death, then by Uma Thurman in Kill Bill: Volume 1, Fusalp’s new Umma will make you look and feel like a lightning bolt on the slopes. If yellow is not your color, you’ll still be badass in Lacroix’s special edition black Shine onesie for women made to commemorate the French fashion house’s 50th anniversary.

The influence of Steve McQueen, another style god from the pantheon of speed chic, is evident cet hiver. From Skidress comes the Quarante-neuf, a black racer jacket for men featuring double horizontal racing stripes. The garment oozes McQueen coolness when paired with Skidress’ Silverstone stretch pants, whose ribbed knees are perfect for shinning gates.

Looking like a polar explorer kitted out in wool and fur has been a hot look on the European ski fashion scene for the last few years. One of the leaders of this hip trend is luxury alpine fashion house Arpin, celebrating its bicentennial with an exquisite line of vintage-look ski wear. For men, the highlight of the collection is a fur-trimmed navy and gray anorak named after French explorer Paul-Émile Victor. For women in love with Arpin, there’s a virtual treasure trove of hooded ski jackets crafted with wool, leather, and fur this ski season, including the Asphalt, Desalpe, Cime, and Falaise. These works of art fit seamlessly with Arpin’s iconic, slim-fitting Altitude ski pants. Mais oui, les fuseaux also come with racing stripes.

Coco Chanel’s classic tweed jacket is, for many women, either a wardrobe staple or a #chanelgoal in the smartphone parlance of our teenage daughters. This winter, French luxury brand Maison Montval is paying homage to Coco with a selection of Chanel-inspired ski jackets that will look just as fabulous on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré as they will in the French Alps. The most classic of these classics may well be the Mathilde, which has a detachable hood and is available in black or white.

For men who appreciate Chanel, France’s eco-friendly Picture has produced the male equivalent of the Little Black Dress — also a Coco creation. Picture’s Iceland ProKnit Jacket is a black beauty billed as “the world’s first multidensity knitted snowboard and ski jacket.” Picture’s Iceland is light, tough, versatile, and will match perfectly with any ski pants in your closet.

For women, skiing’s equivalent of Coco Chanel’s LBD is the Ventus Light 3-L from Chamonix-based Black Crows. This little ebony number will keep you warm and dry, yet will fit into a purse in a pinch, especially if you’re skilled at folding. You’ll look as chic as Audrey Hepburn in Charade. Meg ève, encore!

So where will your snow dreams take you this winter? To the top of an Olympic downhill podium listening to La Marseillaise? On an eco-adventure in the Arctic with a group of French explorers? Perhaps to a chic après-ski bar in Courchevel sipping a drink while channeling Mademoiselle Coco? This is the year to dream in bleu, blanc, et rouge… and to heed the wise words of Antoine de Saint Exupéry, the magical French writer who penned The Little Prince: “Make your life a dream, and a dream a reality.”