Fashion
You can get through a Canadian winter comfortably with seven well-chosen pieces. The rest is padding sold to people who are cold.
The seven pieces
- An insulated coat that drops below the hips
- Two thermal base layers
- A merino wool sweater
- Waterproof boots with a lugged sole
- A tuque that covers the ears
- Lined gloves
- A wool neck warmer
The layering principle
Cold is not fought with one thick piece but with three light layers: wick, insulate, block the wind. It is also how you survive an overheated classroom after twenty minutes outside.
Where to buy without going broke
Thrift stores, end-of-season sales in March, and outlet stores. A good second-hand coat beats a cheap new one.