Supporting well-known brands and hidden local gems
Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.
Canada is home, and from coast to coast we love to support our neighbours – spelled with a “U” and all.
Recommended Videos
All this to say, it’s nice to support local however you can. Here are some of our favourite Canadian fashion and lifestyle brands.
Quick summary of Canadian fashion brands
Our favourite Canadian clothing brands explained
About: Roots was founded by Michael Budman and Don Green, who met at summer camp in Algonquin Park, Ont. The brand started by creating leather goods, which continues to be a part of its persona, but is now best known for sweatpants and sweatshirts.
Founding location: Toronto, Ont. Leather goods are still made in Toronto, Ont.
About: Ecologyst is all about buying fewer, high-quality items that will last. The brand uses natural, biodegradable materials like organic cotton and merino wool. The styles are simple and casual. The materials are high quality and comfy.
Founding location: Victoria, B.C. Made in Canada and the U.S.
About: Sam Tick founded the company in 1957 as Metro Sportswear Ltd. The brand first started producing woollen vests, raincoats and snowmobile suits and evolved into the coat and outerwear brand that we know today.
Founding location: Toronto, Ont. Down coats are made in Canada.
Founding location: Toronto, Ont.
Founding location: Toronto, Ont. Made in Canada.
About: Lesley Hampton founded her namesake brand in 2016. The brand is Indigenous-owned, women-led and size-inclusive. Lesley Hampton is known for luxury activewear and eveningwear.
Founding location: Toronto, Ont.
About: Sustainability is at the core of Frank And Oak, which specializes in responsibly-made fashion. Founded in Montreal in 2012, the brand is now a certified B Corp corporation and all products either contain low-impact, cruelty-free, organic, biodegradable, or recycled fibres, or are manufactured using industry-leading technologies and processes.
Founding location: Montreal, Que.
About: Numi started off as a solution for sweat stains. The founder worked in finance and didn’t like to wear her favourite shirts because they were prone to sweat stains. They also required dry cleaning. The brand launched with an undershirt to address the sweat issue but then expanded to create easy-to-wash and wear products.
Founding location: Toronto, Ont.
About: Though lululemon is now a globally known brand, the company is a Canadian success story. When the brand’s first store opened in Kitsilano, B.C., the company said that it would provide a free outfit to those who came in naked, and it’s been a news-generating brand ever since. The company is best known for its activewear.
Founding location: Vancouver, B.C.
About: For trend-focused styles at an accessible price point, we love OAK + FORT. The brand offers clothing, accessories, home goods and more in classic neutrals that minimalists will love.
Founding location: Vancouver, B.C.
About: When you buy a product, the company plants 10 trees. The mission is in the name. Tentree is an Earth-first clothing manufacturer. It is B Corp certified and is on a mission to plant a billion trees by 2030.
Founding location: Regina, Sask.
About: Joanna Griffiths founded Knix to solve the issue of period leaks. Though the brand started with leak-proof underwear, it has expanded to other categories including activewear, swimwear and loungewear.
Founding location: Toronto, Ont.
About: Club Monaco was founded in 1985 to establish the concept of “better basics.” The brand offers a middle ground between fast fashion and couture, accomplishing what it set out to do. Club Monaco styles are contemporary yet classic.
Founding location: Toronto, Ont.
About: Joe Fresh was founded by the same person who established Club Monaco, Joseph Mimran The brand also features basic clothing, but at a much more accessible price (and sold in grocery stores). Joe Fresh also has a large range of sizes.
Founding location: Toronto, Ont.
Favourite item: Casual sneakers
About: Smash + Tess was founded by the classic mother-daughter-bestie trio. The brand focuses on sustainable materials like rayon from bamboo and cotton blends. It makes “everywear” pieces that are great for lounging but can be dressed up too.
Founding location: Vancouver, B.C. Made in North America.
Best Canadian accessories brands
About: Jenny Bird founded her namesake brand in 2008. The brand features simple and classic jewellery. Jenny Bird jewellery started in Canada and can be found on ears, necks and wrists around the world, including celebrities like Selena Gomez and Mindy Kaling.
Founding location: Toronto, Ont.
About: Mejuri was founded in 2015 by the current CEO and co-founded Noura Sakkijha. Sakkijha grew up in Jordan and is a third-generation jeweller. The brand offers well-priced, high-quality jewellery with a focus on sustainability. 80 per cent of the gold that Mejuri uses comes from recycled sources.
Founding location: Toronto, Ont.
About: Sorel was founded in 1962 and originally focused on winter and work boots. The brand was acquired by Columbia Sportswear and expanded its product offering to now offer a range of footwear including boots, walking shoes and sandals.
Founding location: Kitchener, Ont.
About: Brothers Jamie and Lyndon Cormack founded Herschel Supply Co. in 2009, naming the company after their family’s hometown. The company makes bags and accessories and is likely best known for its backpack with the iconic Hershel patch.
Founding location: Vancouver, B.C.
Best Canadian online marketplaces
About: Etsy is a central platform for crafters. The site offers the option to select Canadian crafters and entrepreneurs. We love the platform because we can access smaller and more diverse crafters across Canada.
About: For edgy, up-and-coming fashion brands, look to SSENSE. Their selection offers a range of menswear, womenswear, and home goods that you won’t find anywhere else.
rmann@postmedia.com