Fashion and function
There is no reason not to buy a Canadian-made coat this winter
As I write this, we’re entering what I like to call Winter Panic Season, which starts the moment the temp dips below zero. How do we deal with WPS? By searching for The Coat — a saviour in the form of an insulated puffer. If you haven’t found yours yet, may I recommend going for a Canadian winter coat brand? There have never been more local options to choose from, whether you’re after a simple, sleek number or something more striking. Some brands use down, while other have sought out man-made, down-filled alternatives and all-vegan materials. Winter panic season ends now.
Mackage
Talk a walk on a cold day in Toronto and you’ll notice the telltale brown tabs on the back of Mackage’s coats. The brand has become quite ubiquitous for its tailored wool-blend outerwear as well as the down-filled options, which have a sporty edge.
Kanuk
This made-in-Canada brand creates seriously luxurious puffers in unusual shades like emerald green, blush and eggplant. And unlike so many traditional Canadian coat makers, Kanuk offers options with synthetic insulation as well as Hutterite Down, which comes from small, free-range farms in Western Canada.
Noize
Feather, fur and cruelty-free and PETA-approved: That about sums up Montreal-based vegan coat brand Noize. The puffers and parkas feature sleek silhouettes and come in head-turning prints like python and abstract florals. The best part? All the styles run under $300.
Rudsak
Located in Montreal’s garment district, this decades-old brand started out with a single leather jacket. It’s since grown into a full range of coats, from wool wrap-style toppers to puffers.
Arc’teryx
This outdoorsy, Vancouver-founded brand is known for sporty, performance outerwear. But Arc’teryx also offers styles made for city streets — like this number, which is filled with man-made insulating material and is cut in a striking, minimal and totally unadorned silhouette.
Soia & Kyo
Founded by the design mind behind Mackage, this contemporary brand (which just opened at Toronto’s Eaton Centre) creates all-weather wear, from tailored wool toppers to faux-fur teddy coats. But its warmest coats are not to be missed. They feature winter-proof details like fleece lined pockets, rib knit collars and sleek, no nonsense silhouettes.