What to Wear for Everyday Canadian Style
Admit it, when it comes to homegrown Canadian fashion, the word that comes to mind is comfortable. When one of the most common topics of national conversation revolves around the weather, you know we want our fashion to be practical in order to get us from indoors to the great vast outdoors intact.
That said, comfortable and practical doesn't have to mean sloppy or thoughtless. Canadians can put together an everyday outfit that possesses the aforementioned attributes while still creating a style that speaks to our soul. True to our eclectic multicultural heritage, we adopt a bit of what we need from wherever we can, pulling in the understated elegance of the French and the cozy hygge of the Scandinavians, amongst others. Read on for our top FW23 picks on how to achieve that feel-good Canadian style.
1. Down jacket
Winter is cold, a fact that every Canadian knows firsthand. To get through it, a jacket that fights the frost is an absolute essential. This reversible bomber from Frank And Oak will keep you warm up to -10C and is wind and water resistant. Bonus: it is made out of recycled PET bottles and vegan insulation, meaning your fashion is also cruelty-free and sustainable.
Image: Frank And Oak
2. Turtleneck sweater
Protect your neck with a stylish knit turtleneck. This one with its dropped shoulders and trendy oversized proportions is from Charli, a brand that is designed in London and made in Italy.
Image: Charli London
3. Fashionable jeans
A staple in everyone's closet, from farmers to bankers, denim is the workhorse of our wardrobes. Find a pair that fits you in all the right places, like this organic cotton pair from Etica in LA, and you are golden.
Image: Etica Denim
4. Warm waterproof boots
Dry feet are non-negotiable, whether you're trekking through rain on the west coast or snow in the rest of the country. Tretorn started making rubber boots over a hundred years ago, so they know a thing or two about weather protection, and being Swedish, they also know how to make them stylish.
Image: Tretorn
5. Cozy toque
A toque is quintessential Canadian gear, atop the heads of all from young to old and in nearly every season. Frank And Oak makes cozy merino wool beanies that you will never want to take off.
Image: Frank And Oak
6. Durable backpack
We need to carry our stuff in something that will hold up to rain and snow. Tretorn not only makes fabulous boots, but waterproof backpacks and bags that will keep said stuff protected from the elements in style.
Image: Tretorn
7. Breathable underwear
We can't keep these in stock! They are so comfortable and good for your body, once you try one pair, you cannot wear anything else. Vancouver-based Huha creates mineral underwear made with Tencel fabric that is oh so soft and with an iron oxide gusset to help wick away moisture.
Image: Huha
8. UV-protecting sunnies
Even the coldest of days could have blindingly bright rays bouncing off the snow banks. This pair of sunglasses designed by Wonderland in LA will protect your eyes with Japanese handbuilt frames using Italian Zyl acetate, French Cometec hinges and gradient blue Carl Zeiss lenses. The retro Hollywood styling is the icing on top of this perfect recipe.
Image: Wonderland
9. Gold bracelet
Something sparkly on your wrist is the finishing touch under all the sweaters and jackets. We love this piece from LA brand Luv AJ -- it's just like your dad's old Timex from the 80s with its gold-plated wristwatch links.
Image: Luv AJ
10. Nourishing body serum
Beauty from Bees is a female-owned company from Alberta, making products clean enough for babies' skin. Keep your skin full of moisture with this juicy serum that smells as good as it feels.
Image: Beauty from Bees
11. Summer-reminiscient perfume
As Canadians, we know there's no season like summer in our country, our reward for all the other months of rain/snow/wind. This perfume from local maker Forest Etiquette is reminiscent of a westcoast summer day, when the grass is dry and the leaves are crisp — the perfect scent to wrap us in warm summer nostalgia.
Image: Forest Etiquette
12. Vegan nail polish
Brighten up a grey day with a little splash of colour on your nails — a quick and easy way to cheer oneself up when the winter feels like it will never end. We adore the ocean-inspired shades from this small-batch US label and the fact that the polish is vegan and 10-free. It goes on smoothly and lasts a long time; definitely one of the best polishes we've ever used!
Image: Merewif
Shop this story:
- Frank And Oak Skyline Reversible Bomber
- Charli Niamh Turtleneck in Grey
- Etica Denim Tia Vintage Straight in Supersonic
- Tretorn Ahus Hybrid Rain Boot
- Frank And Oak Merino Toque
- Tretorn Wings Flex Backpack
- Huha Mineral Brief Underwear
- Wonderland ZZYZX Sunglasses in Rose Crystal
- Luv AJ Timepiece Bracelet in Gold
- Beauty from Bees body serum
- Summer Haze perfume
- Seas by Merewif vegan nail polish
