Your Guide to Canadian Clothing Brands

Canada Mentioned! What's Canadian-owned, made-in-Canada, and not Canadian at all.

Canada: We’ve, uh, been in the news lately.

If there’s one thing we can thank Trump for, it’s that his latest round of tariff threats has finally given English Canada something to agree on.

With these 25% tariffs delayed but still looming, Canadian brands and retailers could soon be facing higher costs on U.S.-sourced goods—everything from cotton and leather to finished products. That means brands will have to rethink sourcing, adjust prices, or absorb the hit. It’s a reminder that where we shop matters—not just for national pride, but for keeping production, jobs, and craftsmanship alive at home.

Retailers are already exploring alternative supply chains. Take KOTN, for example—they produce some rugby shirts in Canada but source cotton from North Carolina. If tariffs kick in, they may have to rethink that.

As costs rise, expect brands to be more upfront about where their products come from and why prices are what they are—something more consumers are starting to care about.

We’re already seeing some opportunism, too. Roots recently took to LinkedIn to pat itself on the back for being Canadian-owned, operated, and incorporated. Which is great. However, only select products are actually made in Canada (more on that below).

Anywho, American tariffs aside, the takeaway is simple: shop local when you can. Support independent brands and retailers that align with your values. Maybe that means buying 100% Canadian-made, or maybe you’re fine with a brand that employs Canadians but manufactures abroad. Either way, it’s worth thinking about what matters to you.

Below, a long—but not exhaustive—list of Canadian-owned clothing brands. (With a couple of skincare brands I like for good measure.)

The Small Independents

Smaller-scale operations, often founder-led, with short production runs and/or local manufacturing.

Courtesy Body of Work

Body of Work — Shoutout to Dwayne and Brittney, who have been crafting world-class, Canadian-made sportswear since 2020. Working closely with family-owned fabric mills and factories in Ontario, they source premium fabrics from Japan but cut and sew everything in Toronto. Each piece is handmade by skilled craftspeople—slow fashion at its finest.

Canadian Sweater Company — Artisan makers of traditional Cowichan sweaters since 1977—though, oddly enough, I first came across them at a menswear shop in Paris.

Ciele Athletics — A Montreal-based premium running brand, best known for its cult-favourite running hats and now expanding into apparel. Manufacturing details are unclear, but the brand has built a strong following among runners.

Colin Meredith — Colin is a super talented technical designer out of Vancouver who I mostly know via some mutuals from back in our Montreal days. He’s worked for some of the biggest outdoor and technical brands in the game but it’s been sick to watch his namesake brand grow. Most of his production happens overseas, allowing him to experiment with unique cuts, materials, and construction techniques.

Ecole de Pensée — Marc, William, and Julien over in Montreal are reworking classic tailoring with unexpected twists, made with the help of European craftsmen. After winning CAFA’s Menswear Brand of the Year in 2023, they’ve started gaining a cult following beyond Montreal, with several notable European retailers picking them up.

F. Miller — Not menswear but skincare! Toronto’s Fran Miller launched her minimalist skincare line in 2014 and has since grown it into a curated collection of ethically sourced, environmentally conscious essentials. The toning mist rocks.

Henry’s — Toronto’s Keith Henry handcrafts every pair of trousers himself, earning a reputation for his bold, oversized jeans inspired by vintage military and workwear silhouettes. His dedication to the craft hasn’t gone unnoticed—he even landed a collaboration with Engineered Garments.

James Coward — Vancouver’s James Coward is on the brink of blowing up. Known for understated modern tailoring with workwear influences, using premium fabrics in small runs that are made in Canada. I’m excited to see where they go next.

Kluane Mountaineering — These made-to-order down coats from a small studio in Edmonton are handmade form 100% Canadian duck down. They’ve gained a bit of a cult followed and just showed in Paris.

Latre — This Toronto Junction boutique started out specializing in vintage military and French workwear but has since expanded into small-batch knits and upcycled trousers, putting its own spin on timeless classics.

Libero — It’s been great to watch Toronto’s Adam Appugliesi grow his brand—from everything being handmade to order by his nonna to expanding the range and landing at Uncle Otis and Canoe Club. It’s still a family affair, with his charming, clever campaigns often starring his very cinematic father. His famous ‘Le Mans’ jacket has been worn by the likes of Steph Curry and Kit Harrington.

Margin — More Toronto-based skincare! Drew Stevens launched Margin in 2020, focusing on clean, effective formulas with a modern aesthetic. The packaging—featuring contemporary art and photography—changes periodically, keeping things fresh. Big fan of the moisturizer.

MTN Head aka Muttonhead — Canadian-owned makers of unisex basics (fleeces, tees, etc) with 90% of their product made in Toronto.

Norda — A high-performance trail running brand, Canadian-owned, designed, and headquartered in Montreal, with production primarily in Portugal.

Ostrya — Montreal-based technical mountaineering gear with a more playful approach approach.

Outclass — A Toronto-based brand that nails elevated everyday menswear with a focus on quality, durability, and timeless design. Made entirely in Canada.

Province of Canada — Canadian-owned and with the aim to produce every product in Canada, right down to locally sourced materials. Known for their sweatshirts that are knit and sewn in Toronto.

Raised by Wolves — Since 2008, Ottawa-based the menswear brand has been blending technical outerwear with a streetwear edge and a strong Canadian identity. A mix of local and overseas production.

Rosa Rugosa — Matty Matheson has his hands in just about everything these days. Between opening restaurants and making Emmy-winning TV, he's also launched a utilitarian clothing brand—made just a few blocks from where I type this in Toronto’s Parkdale neighbourhood.

Spencer Badu — Toronto-based Canadian Menswear Designer of the Year 2024 gives us a modern take on minimalism with a subversive edge and genderless silhouettes. 90% of the pieces are made in Canada.

Wanze — Founded by Wanze Song, this Toronto brand mixes classic tailoring with modern silhouettes, quality fabrics and sharp attention to detail. Made in Canada.

Wynona — Upstart Toronto-based tailoring brand inspired by old Hollywood and films like Purple Noon with sharp MTM tailoring as well as smart RTW pieces made by craftspeople overseas. Book an appointment with them!

Medium-Sized Players (Cult Followings & Growing Businesses)

Canadian-owned and operated labels with strong brand recognition, and growing international reach with production either entirely in Canada, entirely overseas or a mix of the two.

Courtesy Naked & Famous

Bather — The homie Kyle is making some of the best swim shorts (and other vacationwear) around. All the trunks are made in Canada with some other garments made in Portugal.

Dime — What started as a Montreal skate crew turned into one of Canada’s most recognizable streetwear brands. Known for its laid-back graphics, premium cuts, and playful irreverence. While production is mostly international, the brand stays rooted in Montreal’s skate scene.

Haven — Haven is one of Canada’s top multi-brand retailers, with locations in Toronto and Vancouver, carrying high-end Japanese labels like Needles, Neighborhood, and Visvim, alongside technical brands like Stone Island and Acronym. But their in-house line is where they truly shine—elevated, military-inspired menswear with premium materials and a technical edge working closely with manufacturing facilities in Canada and Japan. It’s so good, that they even showed at Paris Fashion Week a couple weeks back.

KOTN — Canadian-owned. Their Egyptian cotton tees and hoodies are responsibly sourced, and while they mainly produce in Egypt and Portugal, some products like the rugby shirts are Made in Canada.

Naked & Famous Denim — OG Canadian raw denim brand, still doing it right with Japanese denim cut, sewn, and made in Montreal.

Quartz Co. —A Quebec-based outerwear brand specializing in premium down jackets designed for extreme weather. They craft their parkas with sustainably sourced materials. Winter coats are made in Quebec with other products made overseas.

Spier & Mackay — One of the best bang-for-your-buck tailoring brands, offering sharp, well-made suits, shirts, and outerwear at prices that rival Suit Supply—just with better taste. Often work with fantastic fabric mills such as Abraham Moon. Give them a go!

Heritage Brands (Iconic & Longstanding Companies)

Legacy brands that have been part of Canadian culture for decades, known for craftsmanship, tradition, and signature products.

Kanuk. Photo by James Rosen

Alberta Boot Company — Canadian-owned and made in Calgary, crafting top-tier cowboy boots with serious attention to detail. Should honestly have the wider fame of some Texas-based brands.

Jack Victor — A third-generation, Canadian-owned tailoring brand, crafting high-quality suits, sport coats, and trousers since 1913. Based in Montreal it has kept all production in Canada.

Kanuk — If you visit Montreal, you’ll quickly notice that everyone over a certain age is proudly sporting a Kanuk parka. The brand still offers its classic, time-tested styles, but a recent refresh has brought in modern designs and a new audience. Every coat is still made in Quebec. Correction: It seems that very recently new ownership moved production to China. More info here.

Pajar — Since 1963, Pajar has been making winter boots in their Montreal factory. Some styles are made elsewhere but the Heritage collection is Montreal-made.

Roots — This is an interesting one. In October 2015, American Investment Firm Searchlight Capital Partners LP acquired a majority stake in Roots, with a minority stake still held by its founders. BUT then it went public on the TSX, shifting ownership back to Canadian (and global) stakeholders. It also still employs something like 2,000 employees and makes some product in Canada including its classic Salt & Pepper sweatpants. The varsity jackets and leather bags are also still made in Toronto.

Samuelsohn — Canadian-owned since 1923, Samuelsohn crafts every suit in Montreal, where skilled artisans ensure exceptional tailoring, premium fabrics, and meticulous construction.

Smithbilt Hats — Canada’s answer to the Stetson. Canadian cowboy heritage, Smithbilt has been handcrafting hats in Calgary since 1919. They continue to make high-quality felt hats for ranchers, rodeo riders, and fake cowboys like me.

Stanfield’s — Everyone and their dad has owned a pair of Stanfield long johns at some point in their lives. A true Canadian heritage brand, Stanfield’s has been making thermal underwear, base layers, and knitwear in Nova Scotia since 1856. It remains family-owned and is now in its fifth generation. Not everything they make is made in Canada but they’ve curated a shop of those products here.

The Great Canadian Sox Shop — This store sells a variety of sock brands, a handful made in Canada, but their co-owned main brand J.B. Fields is the oldest sock brand in the country and was originally founded to supply the logging industry.

Tilley — Since 1980. Made its name with iconic adventure hats but has since expanded into sturdy outdoor apparel. Owned and headquartered in Toronto. Production is mostly overseas but they make a handful of products like their classic T3 hiking hat in Canada.

The Big Boys

Recognizable names, often with several retail stores, strong international sales, and/or large-scale operations.

Herschel Supply Co.— Bags and accessories brand based in Vancouver but named after a small town in Saskatchewan. Production is mostly overseas.

OVO — It pains me to give Drake any kind of credit but his brand OVO actually makes a decent amount of product in Canada. Colour me shocked.

Reigning Champ — Reigning Champ was founded in Canada but sold to Vancouver-based Aritzia a few years back, which is technically Canadian as its publically traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (meaning its ownership is primarily Canadian shareholders). Recently, RC has begun moving some of its manufacturing out of Canada. Make sure to check each style to see if it’s made in Canada if that’s important to you.

THE GIANTS

The brands that dominate retail and operate on a global scale — traded publicly.

Courtsey Canada Goose.

Canada Goose — Canada Goose had a majority stake purchased by Bain Capital in 2013 with the minority to the Canadian founders and owners but is now publically traded on the TSX and the NYSE so it has international shareholders. However, according to a report available on their website, Canada Goose made 75% of products in Canada as of 2023. All down-filled jackets are made in Canada, but other products may be manufactured overseas.

Lululemon — Canadian founded and headquartered in Canada (although it is incorporated in tax-friendly Delaware) so it is Canadian in spirit and leadership but is legally structured out of the U.S. Production, however, is firmly based overseas but nothing out of the U.S.

NOT CANADIAN-OWNED AT ALL

Check the fine print!

Arc’teryx/Veilance— So ArcArc'teryx, makers of some of the best technical outerwear out there, is actually owned by Finnish conglomerate Amer Sports Oyj, which if you dig deeper is owned by a Chinese company (which is listed on the NYSE). Most of the brand’s production happens overseas, but their Arc’One facility produces 5% of their product including Veilance.

Frank And Oak — Canadian/Montreal success story fell on hard times and was sold to Americans in 2020.

Hudson’s Bay Company — American-owned. Ooooold news but a good reminder.

MEC – Sadly, the beloved Mountain Equipment Co-Op became Mountain Equipment Company in 2020 when it was bought by Kingswood Capital Management, an American private equity firm. It’s rumoured to be up for sale again.

Sorel — What’s more Canadian than Sorel winter boots? Well, many things actually because after they went bankrupt years ago they were bought by Columbia Sportswear.

The Multi-Brand Retailers

Finally, I couldn’t wrap this up without shouting out some of the best multi-brand shops and retailers in Canada.

Harry Rosen — Shoutout my former employer. Still Canadian-owned after 70 years, this iconic purveyor of luxury menswear (ZENGA, Brunello Cucinelli, Armani, etc.) is now under the stewardship of Harry’s grandson Ian.

Lost & Found — Probably my favourite shop in Toronto. They seem to really be levelling up since they moved into new digs a couple years back and have always carried a wide selection of Alden, Engineered Garments, The Real McCoys and do their best to stock local designers.

Neighbour — Nobody doing it like Vancouver’s Neighbour right now. Peep my chat with owner Saager, about their latest buy of knitwear. Has a small selection of in-house knitwear and tees. Have expanded to a womenswear store and a home goods shop.

Rooney — I spent a lot of time browsing and not buying anything here when I was a poor Montreal student. Great assortment from brands like Mfpen, Lemaire, Stussy along with a strong selection of womenswear.

Simon’s — A Quebec City-based, family-owned retailer that’s been a staple in Canadian fashion since 1840. Still Canadian-owned, the brand offers a mix of in-house labels and international designers, with some production still happening in Canada, particularly in its private label.

SSENSE — Ok duh but the e-comm giant is still privately owned and based in Montreal. But they could be in trouble as Trump has rescinded the de minimus exception for packages of under $800. When an American orders that $960 Rier fleece, they’re going over the threshold and additional import taxes apply. It might make regular shoppers think twice.

Stomping Ground —One of Ottawa’s best independent boutiques, Stomping Ground has a good mix of modern menswear and accessories like Drake’s, Maximum Henry and Carhartt WIP but also a strong curation of Canadian brands.

Uncle Otis — A Toronto menswear institution since 1991 (!!!), Uncle Otis has a sharp curation of contemporary and heritage brands like Orslow, Porter, Universal Works and more.

Sound off in the comments if you have any other suggestions!

Last thing — a huge thank you to my very talented pal Albert Nguyen for designing my new masthead up top!

Leaving you with a meme for the heads. Thanks for reading.

Permanent Press may earn a bit of money if you make a purchase through one of the links above.