Preparing Your Wardrobe for a Calgary Winter
Canada is known for its winters, so you’ll need to be prepared before the first snow of the season comes! Coats, scarves, mitts, leggings… here are some important things to keep in mind when prepping your clothes for the winter.
When shopping for winter clothing, always check the materials tag to make sure you’re purchasing items that will keep you warm. Some fabrics can make you colder, so it’s good to be aware of what kind of material you’re buying!
Materials that are good for winter:
Materials to avoid for the winter:
You’ll probably hear this piece of advice from anyone who lives in Calgary, but layers are of the utmost importance! Calgary is known for its temperamental weather, and on some days it can be -20 in the morning, and 5 degrees in the afternoon.
Sometimes, Calgary weather can be at -10, which doesn’t sound too bad, until you count in the wind chill. This wind chill means an additional level of cold thanks to blowing gusts of icy winds. Sometimes, weather forecasts can say -10, but it will actually feel like -20! You don’t want to be caught without enough clothes or with too much!
Jeans are not good for the winter. They can actually make you colder, and won’t do much for Calgary’s winters. If you do want to wear jeans during cold days, make sure you’re wearing a protective layer of leggings or tights underneath.
Many active living stores will sell thinner coats or vests that are intended to be worn either by themselves or underneath a thicker winter coat. These can become quite expensive (though they are very warm!), so layering up your outfit with shirts, sweaters, scarves, etc., can do the same thing without the big price tag!
Consider wearing two of everything! Two pairs of socks, two pairs of mitts, two sweaters, two leggings… sure, you may look and feel like a marshmallow, but keeping warm is always more important!
Finding the Right Winter Coat
Shopping for a winter coat can be more stressful than it should be. Finding the right fit, making sure it’s warm enough… finding your perfect winter coat is like winning the lottery because not only will you be warm, but you’ll also look good!
Quality, quality, quality. You can find winter coats for cheap, but it’s important to feel the fabric and the insulation. When checking the coat’s padding, is it dense enough to retain your body heat? Or does it feel a bit loose, like there should be more material in there? Is the coat’s fabric good quality, and will the fabric act as a good barrier to chilly winds? These are questions you can ask yourself when buying a coat, and you can also ask a sales associate for some help!
Pockets! Who wants to walk around in freezing cold weather without some pockets to stash their hands in?
Make sure your winter coat has enough room for layers. The coat can look great in the store, but consider how many layers you will need for the cold winter. Your winter coat should be snug, but with enough room for you to wear some thick sweaters or layers underneath.
Is it long enough? Some winter coats can end at your waist, and others can go down to your knees. Depending on your style and tastes, you may prefer a specific length. However, keep in mind that the longer coats may provide more warmth.
What a Typical Winter Outfit Looks Like for Me
I like to wear as many layers as possible, especially if I know that I’m walking from the train station to a campus building. I’ve listed below what I would wear in -30 weather, which is on the more extreme side of cold, but definitely a temperature that occurs often!
Thick, wool socks or two layers of socks
Winter boots lined with fur
Thin and warm tights (long underwear)
Wool gloves or two layers of gloves
When shopping for winter boots, be sure to check the tread, or the underside of the boot. Make sure there’s enough traction so you can comfortably walk around without fear of slipping on ice!
Sunglasses during winter can be very important, especially if the sun is shining. When sunlight hits the bright white of snow, your eyes can become strained. Keeping your sunglasses on will not only help with any harmful sunrays, but can also protect your eyes from a cold breeze.
You can also buy mini heat packs to place inside your gloves or pockets. These can be found in most grocery stores in Calgary, and are quick and easy ways to help with those extra chilly days.
Atmosphere
For sporting wear and light, outdoor clothing
Market Mall
www.atmosphere.ca
Sport Chek
For sporting wear, equipment, and a variety of winter and summer clothing
Market Mall
https://www.sportchek.ca/
H&M
For recent, fashionable clothing at a lower price
Market Mall
http://www2.hm.com/en_ca/index.html
Browns
For a variety of footwear options, including boots
Market Mall
http://www.brownsshoes.com/
Aritzia
For fashionable women’s wear, including winter jackets
Market Mall
http://www.aritzia.com/en/home
Jack and Jones
For fashionable men’s wear, including winter jackets
Market Mall
https://www.jackjones.com/gb/en/home
