Moving from to Canada - how to dress warmly?

[footprints]

Hi folks,

I will soon be moving to a place with a real winter...eastern Canada. I have realized that I simply have no idea how to dress warmly but still dress well in such a place. I've had the luxury of being completely ignorant to warm dress clothes -- the sole exception being a knee length gray wool coat that I've worn over my suits when I travel to Boston or NY in the winter time.

My usual business attire consists of suits and/or sport coats. Do I simply add a coat over the top for the drive in to the office? What's the difference between a car coat and a top coat? Do people in snowy climates wear different dress shoes? Or maybe dress boots? Or those rubber shoe covers that my grandpa used to wear? I assume I'm going to have to get used to scarves and gloves, too. Help -- I'm scared!

 

[Cary Grant]

If you wear good shoes- yes, get rubbers, like Tinglys etc.

A good topcoat, dress gloves... a nice couple of cashmere scarves...

Honestly- part of your answer will be "how's your cold tolerance?"

If you wear a suit every day and tend to feel cold... you'll want to think about dveloping a winter suit collection and a summer or three-season. So for winter you'll look at heavier fabrics, flannels, etc.

Car coats are shorter.

Where in Canada?

 

[A Canuker]

Originally Posted by Cary Grant

If you wear good shoes- yes, get rubbers, like Tinglys etc.

A good topcoat, dress gloves... a nice couple of cashmere scarves...

Honestly- part of your answer will be "how's your cold tolerance?"

If you wear a suit every day and tend to feel cold... you'll want to think about dveloping a winter suit collection and a summer or three-season. So for winter you'll look at heavier fabrics, flannels, etc.

Car coats are shorter.

Where in Canada?

+1

It is not that bad but I am in Calgary and not the east coast so it is different here. You might want to look ar rubbers but more often then not you won't need them unless it is slushy. Get two good overcoats and some heavy winter weighted suits. A few nicer gloves to go with the coats and a few scarves.

I drive in from a nice warm garage to a heated spot D.T. so I get to avoid the worst but I would recommend getting a car starter to heat it up when you are at the mall or out for dinner. The worst part of winter is getting into a freezing car, but the best it how peaceful a good nights snowfall sounds and looks.

 

[UserNameToronto]

Don't worry, I bike year round in Toronto, including to work most days. There are many winter days where it is above freezing in the core. Rain and slush is not unusual.

As others have said it depends what city you go to--Montreal is much colder and snowier than TO.

In the city a wool coat, gloves, and a scarf should do you well. Wear the wool coat over your suit/blazer. The cities do a reasonably good job of clearing snow in the core, so waterproof or rubber soled shoes are usually all that's needed (no Arctic expedition boots). Many people will wear one set of shoes to commute, and keep nicer sets at the office.

[edit] Many commute via GO train or the TTC subway/streetcar system. For car transit or working in the suburbs, maybe someone else can chime in?

 

[TBSDSpaniard]

Originally Posted by footprints

I will soon be moving to a place with a real winter...eastern Canada.
)

eastern as in Newfoundland - or eastern as in eastern ontario/ottawa?

a little different - especially as some posts have indicated...you live in a city or suburb.

 

[Viktri]

You might need some sweaters

 

[footprints]

Hey, thanks for the replies guys. I'm moving to Montreal, so I guess I'm in for some white stuff!

Speaking of Montreal...can anyone recommend some clothing stores there that might stock nice topcoats, gloves, etc.?

 

[Cary Grant]

Originally Posted by footprints

Hey, thanks for the replies guys. I'm moving to Montreal, so I guess I'm in for some white stuff!

Speaking of Montreal...can anyone recommend some clothing stores there that might stock nice topcoats, gloves, etc.?

Ha! Here's a video of a friend last winter in Montreal

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[Cary Grant]

Originally Posted by Cary Grant

Ha! Here's a video of a friend last winter in Montreal

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Living in the Twin Cities- I sympathize.

 

[Tomasso]

Originally Posted by Cary Grant

winter in Montreal

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I see your Montreal snow and raise you some Chicago wind.

 

[Cary Grant]

Originally Posted by Tomasso

I see your Montreal snow and raise you some Chicago wind.

Heh- here in MN we get both....

Though I've had a few days walking down Mich Ave or out to the pier where I think the wind did peel a layer off my skin.

 

[andyw]

Quebecois are very fond of the home grown coat company called Kanuk. They are very warm and IMHO overpriced. They are manufactured right in the Plateau and have sales a couple times a year. http://kanuk.ca/ang/index.html

The other Canagian outerwear company is Canada Goose and products are made in Canada.

Quite a few furriers are located in Montreal if that is yoir cup of tea.

I think after several weeks, you'll get acclimated and traipse around in a buffalo plaid shirts in sub freezing weather.

 

[Zegnamtl]

Originally Posted by footprints

Hey, thanks for the replies guys. I'm moving to Montreal, so I guess I'm in for some white stuff! Speaking of Montreal...can anyone recommend some clothing stores there that might stock nice topcoats, gloves, etc.?
Welcome to one of the great cities of this snowy wonderland! Firstly and most importantly: (No joking here) The cops have gone ******* mad in this city in the last two or three years. Don't even break wind or you might get a ticket! They gave no tickets for years, now, you can not breath with out a cop sticking a probe up your rear end! be very careful in your car, respect the rules or pay the price! Even then, they give tons of gray zone tickets. I have never seen a city as ticket crazed as Montreal has become. The bicycle cops kick you out of the parks at 11pm! Sacrilege! Banish them to hell I say. Now, on to the other little details, The woman are great, we work to live, not live to work. Don't drive the troops too hard, they'll revolt! Fresh snow? Go skiing for half a day! (Sutton, blow Tremblant off) Great summer day? Long lunch! Summer eve pic nic in the park? Go for it, make love in the park! (be discrete pls) Watching women is not politically incorrect, it is an art. Do it properly pls. Quebecers make longer direct eye contact with total strangers than any other group of people in north America (fact, university research believe it or not). It is ok to say (with your eyes), wow you're beautiful, but know when to move on and keep it harmless. They also give every performer on stage a standing ovation, even when they suck! There are more "granolas" than most other places in Canada. Biking to work is cool and "hot", driving a 4x4 to work is not! The store with the best clothes in the city is Uomo Montreal on Peel. The first time I walked in that shop I wanted to smack the guy in the head. With time and getting to know him, they are great guys and I really like them a lot. Holts has the best sales, but most of their stock is terrible, brand whore type stuff. They always have a large selection of cock roach killer shoes. Toronto seems to get better gear at Holts than MTL does. Harry is...well...Harry. Peel is much better than Rockland. Rockland as a shopping complex is close to terrible, don't waste your time until you have a half day to kill and it is minus 30 degrees outdoors. How old are you? There are 4 university campuses downtown. Do you have a GF / wife? Take her to see George at Scandale. Does the wife have kids of late high school age? take her to see Marie St. Pierre. Henri and Henri is the place for hats and scarves and gloves, but go early, they do not restock after the start of winter. Quebecers love Kanuk because Louie G, (the owner) is a really nice guy! Happy to making money doing what he loves. He gives a lot back, but discreetly, and never takes the spot light. Just does his thing and moves on. i do not own any, never have, probably never will, he has offered several times, but in the end, he could care a less and holds no grudge that I prefer other things. He has always been very cool and very kind in my dealings with him. On a snowy morning, when the city shakes a little, that is the former mayor, Mayor Drapeau spinning in his grave at the ****** job the blue collars do on the sidewalks in recent years! Sorry, they do a ****** job at everything for the last few years (they are in a long running dispute with city hall and we pay the price daily). Do you speak any French? Try and they will forgive any mistakes you make. Don't try at all........

Montreal is a great city to live in. Enjoy! Make the very most of it. Pop by Vasco du Gamma and say hello (best coffee downtown).

 

[footprints]

Hey thanks a lot for the perspectives...married w/ wife and young kids..and je parle un petit peu le francais...

 

[ScruffyLimey]

This is the time when a few work shirts in pinpoint, twill or oxford cloths, rather than straight poplin, give you a good foundation.