Dive into some Gen Z-approved winter fashion gear
By Tamanna Gera
The winter can be a polarizing time of year, you either hate the season or you love it, but there’s certainly nothing in between. Waking up in arctic-like conditions significantly changes what you wear, more specifically, you’re just stuck layering over your outfits with winter gear to avoid freezing to death. With hopes of maintaining fashionability during the winter Canadians have adopted certain garments into their wardrobes over the years, now becoming a part of the country’s identity. Check out some popular winter fashion items that have saved Canadians from a chilly fashion demise below.
Infinity scarves
More than an oversized blanket-like scrap of fabrics, Infinity scarves were the it girl’s go-to winter accessory — because spending eight hours at night with an actual blanket wasn’t enough. Gaining popularity in the early 2010s, people became creatively obsessed with these blankets. From crafting various designs such as classic solid colours, to going all out with uniquely colourful patterned pieces, maybe because we love attention-seeking. The hype with the scarves slowly died down in the late 2010s with people starting to veer more towards a minimalist look as the size proved to be too extra, which it was. The garment eventually regained popularity as people started making it go viral on TikTok, bringing this classic style back as various trends such as the outfit of the day or the hardstyle challenge emerged on social media.
Sorel boots
Sorel boots were originally designed to be waterproof construction shoes in 1962 for harsh working conditions as they were durable enough to withstand the unfortunate Canadian weather conditions. Whilst being a popular winter shoe for people, the company was on the brink of bankruptcy until Columbia Sportswear Ltd. took over ownership of Sorel as they thought Sorel’s aesthetic was too “outdated “ and wanted to apply a more modern taste. Through the new ownership, the company started regularly introducing new models and fashion styles in an ongoing struggle to keep up with changing trends. Over the years Sorel was able to earn popular collaborations in the fashion industry making the company one of the most successful footwear companies — while simultaneously winning over the hearts of Canadians. Their story of rags to riches brought a sense of reliability to the company and earned them the Canadian stamp of approval.
Plaid flannel jackets
Whether it’s the flannel jackets or the iconic red flannel shirt for when it’s not completely freezing, this layering piece screams traditional winter and Christmas, by traditional I mean traditionally old-looking. Flannels were first popularized in the 1990s, in the era of the grunge style, by bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam who were often spotted rocking this classic checked look. Flannel shirts then gradually gained attention amongst younger generations, becoming a signature winter style trend in the late 2010s. They’re often paired with boots (especially Timberlands). Then advancing to become a popular layering item, often along with a hoodie or a turtleneck, because for some reason it made sense to wear a bunch of lightweight clothes rather than one jacket to call it a day. Nevertheless, this classic look never fails to be a winter staple for many Canadians.
Canada Goose jacket
Jackets are the number one essential in frigid winter temperatures, often annoying many Canadians as they hide all the winter outfits we spend so much on. We collectively became desperate for an alternative and said why can’t jackets be stylish as well? With its aesthetic lean and glossy look, Canada Goose jackets are known for their lightweight material while providing warmth like no other jacket making their outerwear suitable for extreme winter activities — perfect for Canadians as our winters are an extreme sport themselves. The company was founded in a small warehouse in Canada in 1957, it is now one of the world’s leading manufacturers of luxury clothing. As a bonus because winter gear wasn’t enough, in 2015 Canada Goose started releasing outerwear for the Spring season to make gear suitable for the rainy season. When it comes to survival of the fittest, Canada Goose is the way to go for Canadians.
Roots’ ‘salt and pepper’ combo
The most common attire for winter back in the days would be the generic salt and pepper roots combos everyone was obsessed with wearing, using salt and pepper for flavouring wasn’t enough we had to wear it. While this combo was introduced in 1980, it gained popularity in the 2000s and 2010s and was a beloved nostalgic piece for Gen Z. Seen as a “cozy winter aesthetic,” often paired with chunky boots as the ultimate winter outfit combination. While the hype for owning the combination of hoodie and sweats in order to fit in has died down, the sweats remain a popular comfy piece for winter. Inspired by Algonquin Provincial Park and the wilderness of Canada with the beaver logo screaming Canadian, this is a significant staple piece of this country.
Aritzia puffer jacket
Another stylish jacket that is a popular winter craze are puffer jackets, basically a Michelin Man version of the regular jacket we often wear in winter. A recent trending store has taken over the puffer jacket train; Artizia’s puffer jacket. Aritzia introduced this cultural phenomenon in 2018 where it quickly became popular, appearing everywhere on social media trends, celebrities etc. The puffy style is widely loved by many and this Super Puff’s ability to keep you warm in -30 degrees celsius adds to this winter fashion bonus, embodying a bold winter look. Despite how people love drowning in the fattest jacket they can get their hands on, this puffer jacket holds its reputation as the “must-have” for winter. Aritzia has since released various colours and styles each new winter season; hence why it continues to stay trending.
Beyond staying warm in winter, the season also presents an opportunity to continue to be stylish, no matter hail or snow. Despite the various rises and downfalls of these winter fashion items, they have managed to save Canadians from having “nothing to wear.” It’s all about time until we devise another clever idea that will send everyone into another fashion frenzy of having something new to wear in winter.
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