Timeless Winter Style: Canada Appropriate Coats, Boots and More (Women’s Edition) 

The Merino 250 Baselayer by Smartwool from Altitude is a soft, moisture-wicking crew neck top known for its ultimate comfort whether you wear it underneath a blazer or a hoodie. It also provides thermoregulation and odour resistance for those days when you decide to wear Smartwool Merino 250 for hiking, climbing or biking.   

A satisfied customer who has multiple Smartwool Merino 250 base layer tops noted that they are beautifully soft, cozy and flattering. A simple and classic crew means they look as good in the backcountry as they do in urban settings. She wears them year-round: they do not stink (after multiple days of wear), and feel cozy and look flattering. 

Sports Merino 250 also offers matching leggings, made from the same material as the previously mentioned crew neck top. While they use heavy wool to ensure warmth and comfort of your body, those leggings are thin enough to wear underneath a pair of jeans. They are made of breathable fabric which provides body temperature regulation and moisture wicking.   

Another customer noted that although she wears these as a warm but lightweight base layer with jeans, hiking pants or ski pants, they are comfy enough to wear around the house as well and during travelling.   

My personal favourite thermal leggings are Uniqlo Heat-tech. They are thin enough to wear even underneath tighter pants, bio-warming and moisture-wicking.   

Two other satisfied customers noted they have always been a fan of Uniqlo’s Heat-tech line because they are super thin yet warm to wear during cold season. The leggings fit perfectly and are warm enough for Canadian Winter, they added.   

Overall, Uniqlo offer a few different thickness and warmth levels, yet what makes this particular model different is the soft, high-density brushed fabric on the inside. 

Check out this scoop neck top to match heat-tech leggings. Made with high gauge, soft knit fabric, this Uniqlo thermal layer is ideal for wearing it jogging as well as office setting. It is thin enough to fit underneath a cashmere sweater: a low neckline easily hides under cozy tops and blazers.   

The top has also been updated with a lower armhole opening and roomier sleeves for more comfort. 

If you are looking for a pair of leggings to wear on its own with a bulky sweater and chunky boots, check out this budget-friendly Baleaf option from Amazon. Those leggings are fleece lined for warmth and water resistance if you decide to wear them during a skiing retreat or hiking.   

Besides warmth and durability, those Baleaf leggings come with gentle compression for tummy control to prevent sliding down, which is crucial during intense outdoor activities.   

My favourite part, however, is the back zipper pockets. You can use them to keep your phone and credit card secure on days when you do not take a purse. 

I cannot imagine a better sweater to wear to work, a date or an art gallery (paired with off-white leather pants, a pair of blue jeans or trousers) than this Reformation cashmere crew. It features a relaxed, yet elegant fit, and soft comfortable fabric.   

Reformation works with virgin cashmere, sustainably produced, something that goes into a higher price tag, yet makes you feel good about spending your money on sustainable cause.

This cashmere turtleneck sweater from Hudson North is more oversized than the Reformation model, yet it is a style that would perfectly pair with leggings or on top of a slip dress. With a relaxed silhouette, protected neck, ribbed trim and silky soft material, what else would one want from a winter sweater?

Saks Fifth Avenue has a signature cashmere line where every sweater is crafted of a plush cashmere-wool blend and finished in a relaxed silhouette. Those sweaters are typically available in a variety of colours and lengths. (And during sale season you can bargain one of those for just under $100.)   

What made this particular sweater appealing to me is the 10% wool in the fabric content. Such a combination of fine cashmere yarns and thicker wool threads make this top feel warmer and heavier on the body. 

Frank and Oak is a Canadian brand that strives to produce its clothes as sustainably as possible. This particular sweater does not only feature a relaxed fit but also recycled fibres and cruelty-free wool. As they say, “the wool is sourced from farms that have adopted a holistic and ethical approach to managing their lands and their animals’ well-being.”   

Other than sustainable production, the ribbed seams and cuffs, and classic length make this Frank and Oak sweater a perfect working element in a winter wardrobe. Layer it over a T-shirt, or a dress and pair it with flared pants, jeans or even sweatpants. 

Extreme Cashmere sweaters might come at a steep price, yet counting CPW (cost per wear) I believe they are worth it. Based in Amsterdam this brand focuses on designing the ultimate cashmere wardrobe filling it up with pieces that would never go out of style and quality that would last seasons after seasons.   

They do not work with collections, instead, Extreme Cashmere focuses on a variety of colours and unisex fits. For instance, consider this turtleneck oversized style. It can be a gift to a boyfriend or a husband, that you can borrow later and it wear yourself, bundling up in soft, warm fabric, styling it with jeans, trousers, and skirts.   

Those Ecologyst wool pants are sophisticated and comfortable alike. Made in Canada from 100% washable merino wool, they feel and wear like sweat pants.  

The pants feature a high waist, wide leg and tailored look which would be appropriate for both an office setting (pair them with a blazer and a wool coat) and casual strolls (style with lace-up boots and a puffer).   

The second-best part of those trousers, besides versatility, is that they are both machine and hand washable. Although I would recommend cold, delicate wash if you choose to go with machine wash. 

Club Monaco is another Canadian brand that focuses on well-tailored clothes made of finely crafted materials.  

Those pants, for instance, are made from soft, cozy merino wool and feature a wide ribbed waistband. They are easy to pull on and style with an oversized sweater and a tee during days off or elevate the entire look with a blazer and ankle boots. 

Another well-tailored pant, yet with a relaxed attitude, which allows you to style it in many creative and casual ways. The black-and-white weave in a heathered effect makes Simons Semi-plain Barrel Pant look more sophisticated and elegant. However, when paired with a casual white sweater and chunky boots can be worn during weekend outings with kids or friends.   

They are made of a supple wool blend that keeps your body warm, while silky lining reduces fabric rubbing tension when worn with thermal leggings.   

Designed by La Canadienne for Canadian climates, those Braydon Chelsea boots are comfortable, fashionable and essential. They are handmade of waterproof genuine leather and feature embossed non-skid rubber outer soles.   

Yet, I want to bring your attention to the versatility of the style. It is no wonder Chelsea boots appear in every fall/winter collection, and long ago became a favourite footwear for many. They can be easily paired with dresses, skirts and when the temperature drops lower with wool trousers or fleece sweat pants. 

Although some might say that UGGs are back in style, I believe in Canadian realities they never went out of style. Casual, ultimately soft and warm, those short boots are easy to pair with jeans, sweatpants, puffers and wool coats alike. The Classic Short UGGs features plush Twinface sheepskin, a moisture-wicking interior and trademark moulded EVA outsole.  

The only downside to UGGs is they do not take slushy, wet weather very well. Thus, wear them during dry autumn days or after snow settles and roads are cleared up from the slush. 

Hunter makes boots for outdoor adventures, yet this lace-up Commando model perfectly fits into city sceneries. They are lightweight, waterproof and can be worn in temperatures as low as -20°C.  

The upper of the boots is a mix of hardwearing leather and recycled nylon. The sole is made of a shock-absorbent midsole and a high-grip TPU rubber. Commando is finished with a cushioned collar and a modern, colourful design.  

All those factors contribute to comfortable city walks on streets and parks. Those boots can be perfectly paired with wide-leg jeans and sweatpants. Add a puffer, a bright beanie and you are ready for a stroll.   

Handcrafted with recycled camel hair and virgin wool, Aritzia Babaton The Slouch coat is my absolute favourite. I feel dismal when I have to put it away for summer and elated when I unpack it as soon as cold weather hits.   

The coat is constructed to deliver warmth to -20°C, and along with functionality, this is a fashionable item that feels like wearing a blanket. The Slouch coat is oversized, double-breasted with dolman sleeves, dropped shoulders and a wide notched lapel.

If you would never consider wearing a wool coat on a windy, snow-blowing morning, check out this calf-length parka. Wuxly Union parka features a regular fit (could be easily styled with suits as well as sweat pants) and a water-repellent surface.   

Besides protecting your body from extreme cold, Wuxly parkas are made from used plastic bottles, plant-based fibres, and discarded fishing nets. They avoid animal-sourced materials, managing to design coats that are as warm and long-lasting as those that use goose down.   

A customer noted that she ordered size L and it was a little big for her. She took the parka to a trusted seamstress to narrow a bit. The seamstress had to do quite a laborious job because, in her own words, she “had never faced such a well-made garment.” 

Finally, to bring a line between a perfectly tailored coat and a casual parka comes a compromise in the image of a long-belted puffer coat from OAK+FORT.  

This coat is designed to substitute a tailored wool coat on those cold days when you would prefer something more formal and elevated with your work clothes.  Although it features a relaxed fit, the waist is nipped with a belt tie, making a silhouette more feminine and elegant.   

You will not want to take those UGG gloves off. Made from genuine leather from the outside they protect your hands from windchill. Meanwhile plush shearling cuffs with wool-blend lining provide warmth and comfort.   

The style of those classic UGG gloves is also chic, yet timeless. You will find yourself pulling those out every winter and matching them with any coat, from an elegant wool button-up to a casual parka.   

(As per a review, gloves fit small, so it is suggested to go one size up.) 

Another pair of hand warmers is this Frank and Oak yak wool mittens. Frank and Oak use yak wool sourced from small-scale farms located in the Himalayas highlands. The fiber is warm, pleasant on the skin and thick enough to protect from freezing temperatures.   

Besides, if you are into dressing more neutral, purple mittens can become a stylish, colourful touch to your black and beige outfits.   

Protect your head and hair with this lightweight and trendy Lululemon Ribbed beanie. It is made of a merino wool blend which is naturally thermoregulating and soft against the skin. The beanie is available in eight colours so you can pick the one that would brighten up your winter outfits.   

Acne Studio’s scarfs are made to last. The style, and the quality, although coming at a higher price, those plaid scarfs make a statement. This particular Acne Studios beige/rust red checked scarf is made of felted wool, and can become the main piece in your total black outfit. It is wide enough to be wrapped around your neck twice or thrown on your shoulders in case you need some extra warmth when sitting at your office desk.   

Sunglasses should not be disregarded even in winter. Snow and the bright sun not only make it challenging to drive, but also can cause harm to your eyes. Although you might already have your favourite pair of sunglasses, I wanted to feature those Celine shades in a timeless design. They are made from glossy black acetate with D-frames and dark-gray lenses, with a gold-tone ‘Triomphe’ logo on the sides. Such sunglasses can easily elevate the simplest outfit, be paired with beanies, tailored coats and puffers alike.