Canadian Girl’s Guide to Fall Style; 3 tips to stay warm this autumn.
Lorie & Rory Gilmore, Gilmore Girls © Warner Bros. Television
When most people think of fall fashion, the first things that come to mind are chunky sweaters, vintage workwear, and tall boots paired with mini skirts.
That is - if you don’t live in Canada.
For those of us dealing with unpredictable weather, the real struggle is finding alternatives to those classic fall staples that still give Lorelai Gilmore level chique and actually survive the harsher Canadian seasons.
Here are three of my fav fall hacks.
Wool over acrylic
I have been transparent about my general dislike of synthetic fibres, but acrylic knit sweaters take the cake as my least favourite form of clothing. Aside from the fact that the fibre releases microplastics into the environment during washing, acrylic leaves you feeling oddly sweaty and sticky, providing little to no relief from the cold.
Ultimately, Wool sweaters are your best friend this season. Not only do they provide breathable warmth, but they also look significantly better. There is a visible difference in the quality of an organic knit, whether that be a cotton knit, wool, cashmere, or marino, and a fuzzy, loud acrylic one.
While wool is more expensive, it is an investment, and more affordable jumpers can be purchased from consignment stores and clothing stores like Uniqlo.
Here are some of my favourite wool basics and sweaters I have found this season.
Learn how to take care of wool here: https://www.asket.com/en-ww/garment-care/care-guides/wool
2. insulated nylons
There is nothing cuter in the fall than a black miniskirt, nylons, tall white socks, and riding boots, topped off with a cozy cable knit sweater. That being said, a short skirt and nylons cannot withstand the biting Canadian winds. A couple of months back, I stumbled upon a TikTok that showcased a realistic-looking pair of nylons that had been insulated with tan fleece to avoid this issue. Not only would this work under skirts, but having a pair on hand has saved me on those winter days when I want to be wearing dress pants, but I really should be wearing long johns.
You can buy your nylons here: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BBG5B1G8?psc=1&th=1&asc_refurl=https://www.glamour.com/gallery/best-fleece-lined-tights-for-women&asc_campaign=678954a1849f8a05c7c16deb&asc_source=verso&ascsubtag=678954a1849f8a05c7c16deb&linkCode=gs2&tag=glamourcanada-20
3. Trench coats with Chamois facing
There are several ways to describe this technique used in vintage coatmaking, but the most commonly used one, in my opinion, is “Chamois facing”.
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This is a genius technique popularized by military garb and resource scarcity. During the great depression and in the wake of WW2 , it was too expensive (and too heavy for that matter) to line coats with full back panels of Chamois leather. Therefore, creating a small panel that is sewn between the layers of wool was adopted to save costs while still gaining the benefits of a leather lining. The piece of leather was only the length of the upper back, covering the shoulders up to the neck, and down just below the ribs. This benefits of the practice included; reduced damage to the coat, increased water resistance as well as the main use, providing a windshield and added insulation for the wearer. While Chamois facing is less commonly used today, vintage wool coats, including fur and wool blended coats most commenly have this lining. You can check by inserting your hand up the back panel (which, with coats with chamois facing, is usually open) and feeling for a thin leather panel.
The Canadian company Coats by Mary Ellen is one of the few companies I found that consistently uses this method. While Aritzia's “one coat” offers a vegan Chamois facing, vegan leather lacks the benefits of genuine leather - water protection, and breathability. Additionally it is non durable and anti-green (as faux leather is a synthetic, plastic based material).
At the end of the day, Canadian fall fashion is about making classic staples work for our reality. With the right swaps, you don’t have to choose between staying warm and looking chic, you can have both. Because if Lorelai Gilmore could make a coffee run in three layers and still look iconic, we’ve got this.
