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 no need to dress drearily—even in the dead of winter! With the help of our Clothing and accessories gift guide, you’ll be able to give the gift of true north style to all your fashion-inclined friends. Handcrafted leather accessories? Bohemian-inspired boots for snowy strolls? Comfy-cozy hoodies and toques? It’s all here.
kraftikakreations.ca
Ah, the scrunchie. Is there anything it can’t do? It’s timeless, stylish and an easy way to bring flair to anyone’s hair. Toronto-based Kraftika Kreations are the scrunchie savants. They put their passion for high-end fashion into their luxurious, handmade collection of satin, organza and cotton scrunchies. Going out? Loafing around the house? Sleeping off the holiday feasts? There’s a scrunchie for that.
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: $-$$$
haydn.ca
Clean lines and a high-quality, minimalist design are timeless. Haydn’s collection of Swiss movement watches, as well as Grade A, full-grain leather laptop bags, backpacks and wallets are built to handle the long-term rigours of business travel. Excellent for the style-conscious professional on your list!
Price range: $$$
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: $ – $$$
solioswatches.ca
This is what happens when a pair of watch-loving friends aim to create a fully sustainable fashion accessory that doesn’t scrimp on design. Solio Watches offers elegantly minimalist, solar powered watches, made using recycled stainless steel for their casings and vegan eco-leather in their straps. Do yourself a favour and check out their gorgeous watch gift boxes.
Price range: $$$
thinkinginpixels.ca
Thinking in Pixels aims to brighten your day through their collection of clothing and accessories that feature cheery, whimsical designs inspired by fantasy, nature and mental health. What does that look like, you ask? Start by checking out their “cozy cat” sweatshirt and tote, and you’ll get the picture! It makes a great gift for the person on your list with an appreciation for all things quirky.
Price range: $ – $$$
boutiquelaf.ca
These boots might be for walking…but there’s no reason they can’t be eye-catching, too. Boutique Laf serves up affordable women’s footwear in styles ranging from fashion-forward and bohemian to relaxed and practical. For those looking to up their coat game, Boutique Laf offers a sophisticated, chic collection that won’t lead to a winter of discontent.
Price range: $ – $$
memeteesmessages.ca
Housing is a human right. It’s also the message driving Meme Tees. Their sustainably sourced and locally printed t-shirts are helping raise awareness around affordable housing for all. A portion of the proceeds from every shirt sold goes toward supporting several Canadian non-profit organizations working to end homelessness.
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. Start your gift search by checking out CDN’s ultra-soft and cozy hoodies (a.k.a., bunny hugs—right, Saskatchewan?)
Price range: $-$$$
carolscustomdesigns.ca
Carol Strelesky, the Regina-based owner and designer behind Carol’s Custom Designs, has brought art to the humble apron. Her colourful kid and adult-sized aprons are lined with top-quality quilter’s cotton, while all her intricate designs are hand-sewn on. For those fancier winter nights, Carol’s Custom Designs also offers luxurious, hooded women’s ponchos lined with satin and made from 100% virgin wool.
Price range: $$ – $$$
radjuli.ca
Radjuli sees beauty in the “off-cuts”—i.e., leather pieces that have been rejected due to marks or other irregularities. These so-called scraps are transformed into gorgeous leather tote bags, rugged belts, wallets and even guitar straps. Every item is cut and sewn at Radjuli’s studio in Victoria BC,—and designed to last a lifetime. Pro gifting tip: leather looks good on anyone.
Price range: $$$
sewisabel.ca
New Brunswick-based Sew Isabel’s unique style brings together easy-breezy 50s fashion with Edwardian-era opulence. Her hand-sewn scrunchies, eye-catching colour dusters and floral wraps are sure to add a major pop of colour and liveliness to anyone’s look.
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: $ – $$$
emilygill.ca
Browse a lineup of eye-catching bespoke rings, earrings and necklaces—as well as ethically sourced gems—all handmade by Toronto-based goldsmith and designer Emily Gill.
Price range: $$ – $$$
smashtess.ca
Did you hear? Rompers are all the rage nowadays! Vancouver-based Smash + Tess specializes in creating cozy clothes that can be worn just about anywhere, for any occasion. Who ever said you had to pick between comfort and style?
Price range: $$
shop.chayle.ca
Chayle’s “elegant-meets-edgy” jewellery is hand-crafted in Ottawa using only recycled and conflict-free sources of gold and silver, ethically sourced gemstones and Canadian diamonds.
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: $$$
locallaundry.ca
Headquartered in Calgary, AB, Local Laundry offers proudly Canadian made (and comfy) clothing that’s focused on building up communities. Not only are Local Laundry’s clothes made to last, but the company also gives back to local organizations and helps support Canadian manufacturing jobs. Sounds like the right fit for us!
Price range: $$ – $$$
finawear.ca
Owned by Gitxsan artist Shar Wilson, Finawear transforms leggings and skirts into wearable indigenous art. Each article of clothing or accessory is produced on-demand, hand sewn and printed on Canadian-made fabrics.
Price range: $ – $$
brumeworld.ca
At Brume they’re passionate about winter. Really passionate. And that’s reflected in their cozy, classic-looking collection of ultra-soft leather and wool gloves, mittens and accessories.
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: $$ – $$$
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: $$
crazycanadianleather.ca
This is where expert leathercraft and geekiness meet. Crazy Canadian offers a lineup of original, handcrafted leather goods along with custom cosplay costume pieces. So, whether your loved one is looking for a stylish new wallet or needs a hand with their next big cosplay project—they’re covered!
Price range: $ – $$$
knix.ca
Comfy undies can make you feel like a completely different person. And Knix is here to offer the most comfortable lineup of intimates around – from wireless, supportive bras and shapewear, to super absorbent underwear. No matter what you’re looking for, every Knix product is designed to help you feel more comfortable in your own skin.
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: $$ – $$$
luxezen.ca
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: $$$
2ndshot.ca
2nd Shot collects used, unwanted and broken skateboards from their local community and then painstakingly handcrafts them into incredible, custom pieces. Check out their stunning skateboard-based guitars, watches, kitchen knives, axhandles and more. An incredible find for the skateboard aficionado on your list.
Price range: $$ – $$$
Beads Bangles & Bows is an independent, woman-owned jewellery business based in small-town Southern Ontario. They create earrings and necklaces inspired by both minimalism and vintage glamour, while lending a unique hand-crafted feel to each piece.
Price range: $ – $$
Hopefully, you’ve found a great look for every fashion lover on your list! Now, head over to CIRA’s .CA gift guide for even more excellent recommendations for your loved ones.
