What Do Canadians Wear in the Winter?
Are you confused as to what clothes to pack for a winter visit to Canada? Canadians have mastered the art of practical dressing during the winter. Observing what the locals wear is the best way to decide what you should wear or bring along. Keep in mind that clothing requirements may depend on the particular region or city you are visiting.
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Outerwear
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With the exception of those living in the southeastern provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, most Canadian women wear long parkas that end at the ankles or midcalf. Men generally wear parkas that reach to the waist. Both men's and women's parkas typically have a fur-trimmed hood. In southeastern provinces, which experience milder temperatures, pea coats and leather jackets are sufficient for the winter.
Tops
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The majority of Canadians, regardless of region, wear wool or athletic hooded sweaters during the winter. In early winter, teenagers and young adults prefer to layer an insulated vest over the sweater as opposed to wearing a heavy jacket. To stay warm in January and February, men and women layer additional long-sleeve tops under sweaters.
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Bottoms
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Canadians generally wear the same types of pants in the winter as other nationalities. Thick jeans are a popular winter choice. Those living on the East Coast and in Central Canada also wear long underwear (sometimes referred to as long johns) underneath pants to provide adequate protection against the sub-zero temperatures common in these regions. Pants cuffs are almost always tucked into boots to protect the fabric from precipitation and salt.
Shoes
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On snowy days, many Canadians wear warm boots crafted from sheepskin. Waterproof boots with a rubber or leather exterior are worn on days when rain and slush are abundant. Canadian men often wear protective galoshes over their work shoes and remove them at the office. Traditional Inuit moccasin-like boots, decorated with beading and embroidery, also have become a part of mainstream Canadian fashion.
Accessories
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Mittens or gloves insulated with fleece are a popular choice. Some Canadians prefer convertible mitten gloves. Characterized by the option of revealing the finger tips, mitten gloves help them grasp items, such as a Metro card or a cigarette, without sacrificing warmth. Scarves, hats, beanies and berets, in various color schemes and patterns, are also winter staples in Canada.
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- Photo Credit http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rideau_Canal_in_winter.jpg
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Comments
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Woah. As a Canadian I sure am glad I stumbled upon this article. I guess I had winter fashion in my country all wrong. I better go out and buy some moccasin boots asap.
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Haha, this is hilarious. They forget to mention we all live in Igloos, lol. I'm wondering if the person who wrote this has actually been to canada or maybe just visited far up north, lol. If they had been to the bar in the middle of winter they'd say "teens and young adults wear short skirts and high heels and as little clothes as possible while lined up outside the bar", lol.
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ahlimah
Aug 14, 2009
oh man, where to start! 1. BC and Alberta are the Western-most provinces in Canada, not East. 2. Almost no one wears long, ankle length parkas, in any part of Canada. What you have seen are a specific brand of high-end parkas that are quite expensive and a bit of a status symbol among women over 50 or so. 3. Fur trimmed hoods are expensive and aren't all that common. 4. "Teenagers and young adults" like to layer vests over designer hoodies, like they've seem in their favorite rap video, it's not a "national costume." 5. Long johns are practical garments and worn all over this country, and even in parts of the US, in fact, anywhere it gets cold enough to freeze your thighs solid. 6. Tucking your pants into your boots is something that only little kids and old men do. 7. I've never seen, or even heard of, boots made of sheepskin. Elk, moose or deer hide are prized for bo...
