by : Caitlin Stall-Paquet- Jan 13th, 2022
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This Ontario-born winter wear company has gone global! If you weren’t too distracted by all the terrifying activities in Netflix’s hit show Squid Game, then you might have spotted one of their coats being sported by a young character on-screen. Beyond the twisted TV series, the brand’s pearl-knit beanies, futuristic Fargo-inspired hats and faux-fur toppers promise to help keep your head in the (warm) game. Though you could easily wear their puffers, parkas, bombers and vests during your next outdoor trek, they also come in fun nature-inspired prints and sleek cuts that make them city-ready.
This vegan, Toronto-made outerwear company aims to take animals out of the jacket equation with their sustainable, down-free garments for men and women made with biodegradable materials whenever possible— keeping future landfills in mind. Founded by former CFL player, James Yurichuk, Wuxly has been making cruelty-free parkas and puffers to protect Canadians from harsh winters since 2012. They use the bio-based polymer Sorona for their down-like material that subs in for geese in their lining. Considering it can take up to 19 of the large birds to make a single jacket, V-shaped formations would be thanking them if they could.
Made with 100% recycled and repurposed materials and registered as a B-Corp (meaning they’re bound to social and environmental obligations), the PETA-certified Montreal-based outwear brand Norden is setting a new accountability standard when it comes to our less-than-fair-weather duds. Cuts are minimalist with stylish touches, in plenty of neutral tones to match your pop-of-colour winter hats, while fleece-lined pockets and built-in wrist covers keep your paws extra warm. From puffers to parkas, all are available short enough to get sporty or long enough to keep you and your backside covered. They also run a buy-back program for when you’re looking to upgrade, to minimize garments ending up in the dump.
Designer Dinah Luxton puts women first in her eponymous outerwear brand that keeps city dwellers warm through the stormiest of days. Her wool and cashmere coats are made in Toronto, while down pieces are manufactured in small batch facilities in China. Luxton brings back the winter one-pieces of our childhoods with a serious update, presenting jumpsuits for dynamic women looking for lightweight insulation that keeps warm air circulation around your body, from neck to ankles. They also make quilted shorts and trousers for a bit more localized heat, along with oh-so-soft cashmere toques.
It’s a big expansion year for the company that classifies its products with a bit of humour into four weather levels: chilly, cold, crazy cold and, as the harshest threshold, Canada cold. New brick-and-mortar locations have opened their doors in Toronto and the brand’s hometown of Montreal, while Ottawa saw it pop-up at Rideau Centre late last fall, bringing the luxury outerwear goods for women, men, kids and even dogs to ever-more cold shoppers. Their jackets, clothing and winter accessories are available in both vegan and animal-based materials, using only humane-focused suppliers in the latter case.
For the British Columbia-born outerwear brand, the real estate adage “location, location, location” rings true, as they believe that, to make the best gear for a specific environment, you need to be immersed in it. Point in case, their North Vancouver headquarters are a hop skip and a jump from the Coast Mountains for which they equip hikers, snow shoers and skiers galore. From base layers to fleece, shells and backpacks, they’ve got you covered from head to toe and then some for any of your great outdoor adventures. By being an early signatory to the UN Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action, providing repair services and working with Ocean Wise to reduce micro plastics in their garments, Arc’teryx also thinks beyond the jacket.
To care for your extremities in extreme weather, a good pair of waterproof boots are a crucial addition to any winter wardrobe. This company has been in the foot game since 1968, when Italian immigrant Vincenzo Passerelli started making moccasins and platforms in Montreal. Their latest collection of rugged and stylish boots with ankle-high combat-inspired zip-ups and block heel mid-calf options sacrifices none of the style to keep feet dry, creating items that are 100% made in Canada. Waterproof leather and suede, natural wool and shearling linings will become your go-to team to ensure trendy and toasty toes.
Read more: Here’s How You Can Shop the Puffer Trend 10 Stylish Winter Boots to Keep Your Feet Cozy 10 Jackets and Coats to Keep You Warm This Winter
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