Monika Sofrenovic is the Marketing Specialist at CIRA. She is a recent graduate of Carleton University with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Marketing.
Fashion forward, cozy and comfy—you choose!
There’s a very famous Smiths song that says, “I would go out tonight, but I haven’t got a stitch to wear…” And while it’s a great tune, it doesn’t apply to this section of our .CA gift guide. Here, you’ll find one of the biggest selections of Canadian clothing and accessories. Even cooler: Much of it’s ethically sourced and brought to you by independent makers. Style AND substance for everyone on your list!
Apparel
valeriecdesign.ca
Valerie C. Design’s mission is beautifully straightforward: Provide elevated, elegant clothing that empowers people to always feel comfortable and confident. Every stitch they produce is designed to easily adapt to any body type, while also being sustainably (and locally) made in Quebec.
Price range: $$ – $$$
calita.ca
Remember when your parents would threaten to buy you underwear for Christmas? They clearly never heard of Calita. This woman-owned and operated business is elevating underwear with a line of intimates made from natural, breathable fibres. They’re cool, ultra-comfortable AND good for the planet. In other words, the kind of underwear anyone would be thrilled to see under the tree!
Price range: $ – $$$
lpapparel.ca
Drawing inspiration from an active skateboarding lifestyle, the creative minds behind L&P apparel have set themselves apart from the pack with their original, urban and trendy clothing designs for kids and adults that kick up the “cool factor” more than a few notches.
Price range: $ – $$$
wearecdn.ca
Despite our propensity (as a country) to say “sorry” for every little thing, CDN is completely unapologetic about putting true north pride into their Canadian-made threads. Their modern, minimalist style celebrates all things Canadian without getting gaudy.
Price range: $-$$$
locallaundry.ca
Headquartered in Calgary, AB, Local Laundry offers proudly Canadian made (and comfy) clothing that’s focused on building up communities. Not only are Local Laundry’s clothes made to last, but the company also gives back to local organizations and helps support Canadian manufacturing jobs. Sounds like the right fit for us!
Price range: $$ – $$$
ottercloth.ca
Everyone always regrets not spending more time at the cottage. Otter Cloth Clothing Co. celebrates cottage life, with comfy durable tees and sweaters. But what’s really cool is that you can have your Otter Cloth apparel customized with the name of the lake, river or creek your loved one’s cottage is on. So, no matter where they are, they’ve always got something to remind them of life by the lake.
Price range: $$
groadesign.ca
Spread some joy and good vibes this holiday season with a cleverly designed and comfy t-shirt! The duo behind Groa Design silkscreen their original artwork onto t-shirts in the old-school way: by hand, with nary a machine in sight! They also produce psychedelic, UV-painted wall tapestries that’ll turn any man-cave or she-shed from banal to brilliant. Even groovier? Everything is created using sustainably sourced materials. Homespun style that’s ethically sound? We dig it.
Price range: $-$$$
Jewelry
studiopeachy.ca
Want to bring guaranteed smiles to faces? Check out Studio Peachy. The brainchild of graphic designer extraordinaire Katrin Emery, Studio Peachy supplies unique, high-quality acrylic earrings made with laser cutting as well as zany, colourful stickers and prints. Read even more about how Katrin founded Studio Peachy and is bringing her design dreams to life!
Price range: $ – $$
lordviolet.ca
This queer-owned handmade jewelry brand draws inspiration from film noir, alternative subculture and erotica to create their line of eye-catching, eco-friendly statement pieces. Brass is paired with materials like recycled leather, metal mesh and vinyl for a style that’s equal parts luxurious and eco-friendly.
Price range: $ – $$$
oliviasophia.ca
Every piece in Olivia Sophia’s meticulously crafted collection is completely unique – from their dainty dragonfly hook earrings to their silver bracelet beaded with freshwater pearls. To them, jewellery is more than putting on bits and baubles, it’s a reflection of one’s personality. Discover something elegant and one-of-a-kind for your special someone!
Price range: $$ – $$$
8coolcatsjewelryshop.ca
8 Cool Cats Jewelry Shop produces an array of eye-catching animal and vegan-themed jewelry—including bangles, earrings and pendants. They also offer a line of screen-printed t-shirts that are sure to be ‘paw’-pular with the biggest animal lovers on your list. Another thing worth barking about: 8 Cool Cats are passionate animal rights advocates and donate a portion of their profits to animal sanctuaries. Now, that’s what we call jewelry with a purr-pose.
Price range: $ – $$$
emilygill.ca
Browse a lineup of eye-catching bespoke rings, earrings and necklaces—as well as ethically sourced gems—all handmade by Toronto-based goldsmith and designer Emily Gill.
Price range: $$ – $$$
luxezen.ca
Telostia (formerly luxe.zen) is out to make ethical jewellery the norm, not the exception. They source the most ethical gems available for their gorgeous hand-crafted collection of necklaces, rings, earrings and more.
Price range: $$$
beadsbanglesandbows.ca
Beads Bangles & Bows is an independent, woman-owned jewellery business based in small-town Southern Ontario. They create earrings and necklaces inspired by both minimalism and vintage glamour, while lending a unique hand-crafted feel to each piece.
Price range: $ – $$
annemariechagnon.ca
Think of that person on your list with a strong, independent spirit…then browse Anne Marie Chagnon’s collection of original jewelry for women. Using materials like chiseled pewter, sheer glass, resin, gold and shimmering bronze, Anne Marie Chagnon’s pieces have a contemporary, yet timeless look that always makes a major statement.
Price range: $$ – $$$
route102.ca
Route 102 sees beauty in bits of scrap metal. They’re a two-person studio based in Queenstown, New Brunswick, that creates stunning, elegant wall clocks, earrings and necklaces. The material? Recycled copper, stainless steel and aluminum that they sand, burnish, hammer twist and bend by hand. Each piece is a mini masterpiece!
Price range: $$ – $$$
Accessories
merakimovement.ca
Something cozy (and stylish) is always welcome in anyone’s stocking. Meraki Movement is a family-owned business offering handmade products ethically sourced from makers in Ecuador. A great place to start is with their luxury alpaca scarves – which are full of soul and available in an array of funky patterns and colours!
Price range: $ – $$$
solioswatches.ca
This is what happens when a pair of watch-loving friends aim to create a fully sustainable fashion accessory that doesn’t scrimp on design. Solio Watches offers elegantly minimalist, solar powered watches, made using recycled stainless steel for their casings and vegan eco-leather in their straps. Do yourself a favour and check out their gorgeous watch gift boxes.
Price range: $$$
radjuli.ca
Radjuli sees beauty in the “off-cuts”—i.e., leather pieces that have been rejected due to marks or other irregularities. These so-called scraps are transformed into gorgeous leather tote bags, rugged belts, wallets and even guitar straps. Every item is cut and sewn at Radjuli’s studio in Victoria BC,—and designed to last a lifetime. Pro gifting tip: leather looks good on anyone.
Price range: $$$
gracedesign.ca
Grace Designs may hand-make their bohemian bags and fringe purses at their Vancouver studio. But their designs? Well, they’re inspired by and incorporate the most unique materials from around the globe. It’s rugged Canadiana combined with old-world elegance!
Price range: $$$
crazycanadianleather.ca
This is where expert leathercraft and geekiness meet. Crazy Canadian offers a lineup of original, handcrafted leather goods along with custom cosplay costume pieces. So, whether your loved one is looking for a stylish new wallet or needs a hand with their next big cosplay project—they’re covered!
Price range: $ – $$$
canadianfrost.ca
Canadian Frost serves up luxuriously soft hats, toques and headwraps created by a talented team of seamstresses, knitters and crocheters from the Okanagan Valley. What’s more—all their products are completely Canadian made to the highest standards using ethically sourced, high-quality fabrics.
Price range: $ – $$
mariclaro.ca
Mariclaro creates bags and accessories from repurposed materials, including vintage car interiors, upholstery, recycled airline life jackets and leather diverted from landfills. Browsing their collection, you can find chic messenger bags made from 1969 Camaro parts, or a rugged duffel created using the front seat of a 1973 Ford Bronco. Every bag truly tells a story!
Price range: $$ – $$$
2ndshot.ca
2nd Shot collects used, unwanted and broken skateboards from their local community and then painstakingly handcrafts them into incredible, custom pieces. Check out their stunning skateboard-based guitars, watches, kitchen knives, axhandles and more. An incredible find for the skateboard aficionado on your list.
Price range: $$ – $$$
Now that’s a wrap on this fabulous fashion excursion! With all your new looks in hand, head on over to the wider .CA Gift Guide for further inspiration.
