Samantha Goodwin

Support Canadian brands and stay on-trend with our list of the best places to go for wide leg, flare, boyfriend and baggy jeans.

Canadian Made Jeans 

Every Canadian knows that cooler weather is just around the corner. Shorts and summer dresses are on borrowed time, and soon you can start thinking about your other wardrobe - the fall one. A vital component of that wardrobe? Jeans of course. You can't make a Canadian tuxedo without them.  Here are some exciting and diverse Canadian denim brands that offer on-trend jeans such as wide leg, flare, boyfriend and relaxed fit.

Based out of Montreal, Quebec, BODYBAG by jude originated as a label for ravers and clubbers in the 1990s. It evolved into a brand for young professionals but still maintained its edge. The result is innovative and stylish designs showcased on quality fabrics and natural fibers. See their site for the Rockaway High Waisted Jeans with Wide Legs, the Northstar A-line Skirt as well as their Tofino Denim Culottes. These pieces are versatile enough to be worn out with friends or in the workplace.

For wide leg and relaxed fits reminisce of the 1990s, try Kotn's denim line. Here you will see lighter washes and a modern twist on the old skater look. Kotn is a certified B Corporation that designs its pieces in Toronto, Ontario and then ethically makes them in Egypt and Portugal. Each step of their manufacturing process can be traced to ensure accountability. They use natural fibers that can biodegrade at the end of their lifecycle. 

Started in Montreal, Quebec, Lola Jeans makes denim with a commitment to sustainability. Their signature stretch denim is made from 80% recycled cotton, 18% Tencel TM Lyocell derived from sustainable wood sources, and 2% Lycra. Tencel is naturally soft, breathable and ideal for sensitive skin. It is also biodegradable. The result is comfortable, stylish jeans with a minimum impact on the environment. See their website for a variety of wide leg, bootcut and flare jeans. 

Pretty Denim offers highly stylized tailored pieces that are intended to be timeless. Their tapered jeans with front folds and pleats are certainly a standout. They are a nod to the current high waisted jeans trend but manage to be a style all their own. Denim shirts are also available. They are a throwback to the 1960's mod: the style is in the cut.

Naked & Famous Denim uses Japanese raw denim, specifically that from Okayama, because it is amongst the best in the world. It is processed using traditional techniques so that it will conform to the wearer. It will fold, crease and fade depending on how it is worn thus allowing the wearer to imprint themselves into the jeans. Naked & Famous Denim routinely bring innovative new materials into their jeans such as glow-in-the-dark, cashmere blend and rainbow fade. The cut and designs are all Canadian. You can choose anything from skinny to boyfriend to max (their take on mom jeans) to classic straight leg. The Japanese-Canadian collaboration results in a very clean look.

Triarchy is built on the principles of sustainability and accountability. Their denim is made from 100% certified organic cotton. The indigo colouring is achieved through state of the art ozone washing and nano-bubbles while the distressed look is obtained through lasers. These techniques minimize the environmental impact of producing the jeans whilst creating a product that people will want to wear. See their website for a wide variety of on-trend jeans including tapered, high waisted, wide leg, flare, distressed and relaxed. You will also find entirely new designs such as synched ankles and denim mixing. 

The first step in reducing Yoga Jeans' ecological footprint was to design and manufacture their jeans locally; sourcing many of their materials from within Canada and the USA. Their jeans are 100% Canadian designed and manufactured in St-Come Linière, Quebec. Modern techniques such as laser technology combined with enhanced productivity allows them to reduce water consumption and lower their carbon footprint. As the name suggests, Yoga Jeans offers comfort as well as style. Their 4-way stretch, non-gapping waistband and shape memory technology ensures the jeans hug you in just the right places. See their website for wide leg and relaxed fits along with the more traditional tighter fits. 

Denim Forum is a line of jeans by Canadian retailer Aritzia. Available in major Canadian shopping malls and online, they always have trendy and well made clothing on offer. For this season, the majority of jeans have a light to medium rinse in styles such as loose, wide leg, flare and straight cut.  It's definitely worth a look for back to school shopping.

Make a fashion statement at the beach with these curated swimwear brands from Canada. List includes independent and up-and-coming designers. 

Canadian Stylish Swimwear

Even though our summers are short, Canadians know how to make the most of them. Go to any beach or pool and you will see Canadians living their best lives and looking good in the process. How? You ask? By shopping from the treasure trove of talented Canadian swimwear designers. From the timeless one-piece to head turning cutouts, there is something for everyone, even you. Some of the brands featured in our list come from established labels and some come from independent up-and-coming designers. Read ahead and discover your next style. 

Inspired by surf culture, the creators behind June Swimwear sought to make swimsuits that could withstand active days at the beach. They offer an entire Just Swim line intended for water activities such as yoga, swimming or surfing. Make no mistake, the bathing suits still manage to be stylish and comfortable. There is also a wide variety of bikinis and one pieces with on-trend silhouettes that would look good at the beach or a pool party. They come in monochromatic, ditsy floral and tropical patterns in high waisted or cheeky bikini bottoms and bandeau, triangle and sporty tops. 

Anna Kosturova is based in Vancouver, Canada. No doubt inspired by the ocean, her designs have a vintage and bohemian aesthetic. Anna makes striking sustainable crochet and silk tie-dye creations. Her pieces are handmade by generational artisan families ensuring quality and a commitment to slow fashion. High style, her swimsuits have been featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. The monokini line is definitely a standout. 

As a feminist, Beth Richards seeks to create inspirational images of women that celebrate their beauty without exploiting their bodies. She strives to provide high quality, well fitting bathing suits that will help them feel empowered and confident. Beth Richards offers a wide assortment of styles and prints. They are eclectic but still manage to be polished at the same time. There are plunging V-neck, single shoulder, traditional, cutout and frilly one pieces, available in monochromatic or floral designs. There is every combination of two piece including halter tops with mesh detail, bandeau and triangle tops. You need to see her website to fully appreciate the range of styles. 

Thief & Bandit are known for their recognizable prints. They create sporadic and lively patterns intended to stand out. Their fabrics are printed, by hand, on organic textiles and then hand sewn into unique pieces. Bold patterns on simple two piece swimsuits as well as high waisted bottoms paired with bandeau tops, puff sleeves or bikini tops create a wild spirited and unusual look. And yes, those are shrooms on the bathing suit below. 

Denude Swim offers timeless minimalistic swimwear designed to accentuate women's natural curves. Their swim wear line is made with the purpose to empower women. Their vision is to break stereotypes and borders by offering inclusive and versatile swimwear. Denude Swim's pieces are high quality, double layered swimsuits designed and manufactured in Toronto, Ontario. Their one pieces are primarily monochromatic. There are a variety of designs including asymmetrical, cutout, strapless, wrap-around straps and high cut. 

SHAN is known for luxury clothing designed and manufactured by experienced craftspeople in Laval, Quebec. They offer made-to-measure swimwear as well as ready-to-wear. SHAN approaches swimwear as it would evening dresses, with a focus on quality material, high end design and exceptionally involved construction. Their swimwear and resort wear would be perfect for a luxury beach getaway. 

Imagine Perry is a family run business offering fun and effortlessly cool bathing suits for women, children and babies. Mother of 3, Lena Shaw sought to find swimwear with the following criteria: stylish, the right cut and sustainably produced. When she couldn't find what she was looking for, she created her own and Imagine Perry was born. Her styles have a sweet look to them with patterns such as polka dots, stripes, gingham and floral on adjustable, fully lined one piece and two piece designs. The same patterns are available in children's swimwear so that you can twin with your mini-me!

Bikini Empire makes flirty swimwear for body confident women. Whether taking their inspiration from Palm Springs in 1967, 1950s pinup girls, or burlesque dancers from the 1930s, Bikini Empire manages to be retro with a modern twist. There are one pieces available but as the name implies, bikinis are their bread and butter. Explore options such as black velvet, orchid corduroy or shimmery gold with a ruffle. Bikini Empire is committed to following environmentally sustainable practices and ensuring the health and well being of their workers through ethical working conditions. 

The founder and designer behind Teeny Weeny Bikini co. grew up as a cottager on Lake Rosseau in Muskoka. Suffice to say, she decided to stay in Rosseau and start her own swimwear brand. The swimwear is intended to be comfortable, vintage inspired and flattering. There is an eclectic mix of tube tops, knotted tops and halter styles. The bottoms range from high waisted, shorties and high cut string bikinis. All are perfect for a weekend at the cottage. 

Feminine bathing suits made to make people feel confident and look stylish regardless of size, shape or body type. Canadian brands are highlighted. 

Canadian Inclusive Swimwear

Hedgehogs like to swim. It's true - I googled it. You know what else likes to swim? People. There is a distinct joy attained from jumping into the water on a hot day. You can't swim? Get your feet wet, that's fun too! This joy should be available to everyone, hedgehogs and people alike, regardless of size, shape or body type. Sometimes it can be daunting finding the right swim apparel for the beach or pool. The joy derived from swimming diminished by feeling self conscious in the wrong swimwear. That's why we, at Norther, have selected  a list of Canadians brands that specialize in making inclusive swimwear without compromising on quality or style. Go ahead, jump in!

The Bathing Belle motto is “From Boobs to Bum, Bathing Belle makes it fun!”. That pretty much sums up their ethos when creating swimwear for everyone. This includes men, women, non binary, kids and people who have found the swimsuit shopping experience difficult. There is even a 'mature belles' line for older women. Standard sizing (S - XL) is readily available and custom sizes are available upon request. Bathing Belle has a wide variety of swimwear styles made with fun and whimsical patterns. There is a retro aesthetic to some cute swimsuits whilst others are very modern. 

Based in Vancouver, B.C., Nettle's Tale makes casual swimwear and clothing that is effortlessly cool. A self described ethically made, feel-good bathing suit line offered in sizes 4X-XS, they have something for everyone. They have a wide variety of swimsuit styles including two piece with high waisted bottoms, wrap top with sleeves, and one piece with 'badass' cutout. Nettle's Tale includes the measurements of all of their models so that shoppers can get a sense of how each item will fit. 

Mimi & August produces ethically made swimwear, clothing and home accessories proudly designed in Montreal, Quebec. They have never used professional models to showcase their products. At first, they relied on friends and family. This initial choice became a primary part of their business strategy; to create swimwear and clothing for real people. They offer a huge selection of cute swimsuits in one piece, two piece, high neck, low neck, ruffle and more! Sizes are available in XS - 4XL.  

Londre Bodywear makes swimwear using simple lines and monochromatic colours. The effect is extremely sophisticated, high fashion looks. They are committed to making flattering and high quality swimsuits. This is evident in their clever designs, including the multiway, which can be adjusted to be worn in different ways. The sizes are offered from XS - 4XL. There is also trans mtf swimwear available through the Kendall Gender X Londre collection.  And if that isn't enough, their swimsuits are ethically produced. 

Saltwater Collective is built around the premise that inner-confidence and inner-beauty should be celebrated. The founder has created a wide assortment of styles available in sizes XS - 3XL so that everyone can have control over their own look and highlight the best parts of themselves. They offer modern monochromatic swimwear with clean lines. They are committed to sustainable practices and incorporate recycled materials (including abandoned fishing nets) into their fabrics. 

Unika Swim is a body positive brand that follows ethical and sustainable practices. They offer a huge (seriously, huge) variety of swimsuit styles in both fun patterns and single colours in sizes XS - 4XL. You can mix and match  to suit your needs. If you are still not satisfied, they offer custom made bathing suits. They can make anything from a string bikini to a rashguard in a choice of over 300 fabrics. The swimwear is made by hand in their studio located in Toronto, Ontario. Both in person and online fittings are available. 

Minnow is an independent swimwear label based in Toronto, Ontario. They have their own designs as well as several collaborations with artists resulting in unique and fashion forward styles. High-performance function and diversity of the human form is taken into account with each piece allowing their wearers to feel confident and comfortable. Sizes range from XS - 3XL. Minnow strives to adhere to environmentally friendly practices by minimizing waste from their production process. 

Make an informed choice when selecting the safest sunscreen for your baby or child. We also offer a curated list of safe Canadian sunscreens.

Canadian Safe Sunscreens for Babies and Kids 

Babies and children are much more vulnerable than adults to the damaging effects of the sun's rays. Their skin is thinner, more sensitive and still developing. In fact, the first 20 years is a critical period for sun exposure as it has a significant impact on the chances of developing skin cancer later in life. One severe sunburn in childhood can double the chances of developing melanoma in adulthood (Mudditt, 2022). Suffice to say, early protection from the sun's UV rays is paramount.

Although they are most vulnerable to the sun, babies aged 0 - 6 months should not be exposed to sunscreen. They are most likely to lick the sunscreen on their skin and inadvertently ingest its chemical ingredients. Additionally, absorbing the sunscreen through their skin can lead to the build up of toxins which can impede their health. Toxins within the sunscreens can act as allergens, carcinogens and endocrine disruptors that hinder their development. Instead of sunscreen, babies' skin should be protected with lightweight loose clothing when outside. 

Babies 6 months and older along with children should use sunscreen in combination with coverage from clothing and hats. Their delicate skin can get burnt within the first 10 minutes of sun exposure regardless of skin type or pigmentation. Even without a sunburn, the sun's UV rays can deeply penetrate their skin and cause long term damage. This is possible on cooler and cloudy days too. 

When making sunscreens intended for babies and children, many companies produce them with a high sun protection factor (SPF) value. This number is often misleading. Parents and guardians assume that the higher the number, the higher the degree of protection but this is not actually the case. The SPF value only considers how well a sunscreen protects against UVB rays; which are responsible for sunburns and non-melanoma skin cancers. SPF does not consider protection against UVA rays; which are responsible for aging and other cancers including melanoma. UVA does not cause sunburn so sunscreen users can not see the damage being done internally (The Trouble with SPF, n.d.). Many common sunscreen products do not meet the European Commission standards for adequate UVA protection.

There are additional dangers to simply choosing babies' or children's sunscreen products based on a high SPF. SPF is not a linear scale so a higher value only provides a negligible increase in protection. Lulled into a false sense of security, users may not take the same precautions as with a sunscreen with a lower SPF. More concerning is that sunscreens with a higher SPF contain more chemicals that provide UVB protection at the expense of chemicals that protect against UVA (thus an overall lower protection from UVA rays) (The Trouble with SPF, n.d.). The higher concentration of chemicals can act as toxins with unintended harm on young bodies (see our article on safe sunscreens). 

So what to do? Babies and children still need to go outside. The key is to look for a mineral based sunscreen formulated for babies' or children's skin. Mineral sunscreen does not absorb into the skin, instead it forms a physical barrier on its surface and reflects the sun's rays. Its key ingredients are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide which are biodegradable and do not build up in the body. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide should not be ingested so if your baby is still licking everything, avoid it. They should also not be inhaled so look for non-nano products if you wish to buy it in an aerosol form. Mineral sunscreens allow you to avoid the toxic ingredients found in chemical sunscreens. 

The sunscreen does not necessarily have to have a high SPF, instead it should have a value of at least 30 and offer a broad coverage for UVA 

 UVB rays.  By looking for a babies' or children's variety, the additional ingredients in the sunscreen should take their delicate skin into consideration. There should not be harmful chemicals present.

Here are some Canadian brands that offer safe sunscreen for babies and children:

Boo Bamboo has a Baby Boo line of sunscreen for babies. It is mineral based (zinc oxide) and made with organic bamboo extract that is gentle on baby's skin. The parent company, Hush Brands Inc., is responsible for making products primarily from bamboo and hemp. They focus on natural but effective ingredients and adhere to safe practices including cruelty free, paraben free and SLS free.

Shoosha is the first complete USDA certified skincare line in North America. They offer a mineral based sunscreen for babies and another for children composed of 70% USDA-certified organic ingredients. The sunscreens are free from synthetic or harmful chemical components. The active ingredient is uncoated zinc oxide and the non-medical ingredients are added with babies' sensitive skin in mind: Organic Shea Butter, Organic Coconut Oil, and Organic Calendula Oil.

Attitude's sunscreen line is mineral based and formulated with non-nano zinc oxide to provide sun protection. As with all of their products, their sunscreen is produced with an emphasis on safe, natural ingredients while being hypoallergenic, cruelty free, vegan, ocean safe and distributed in recyclable packaging. Attitude makes a sunscreen line for babies and kids that is gentle on sensitive skin. It comes in a stick (for easy application) or lotion. It also comes unscented or with a choice of scents.

The Green Beaver founders have a background in biochemistry and microbiology and have applied their knowledge to make natural and safe skin care products free of dangerous chemicals. They are responsible for developing the first Canadian organic mineral sunscreen with support from the National Research Council. The key ingredients of this mineral based sunscreen are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These form a physical barrier on the skin and are not absorbed. 100% of the total ingredients are from natural origin. In addition, the sunscreen moisturizes the skin and does not leave a sticky residue. They make a mineral sunscreen specifically for kids (Junior Beavers) in a lotion or spray. 

Ombrelle is recognized by the Canadian Dermatology Association for their sunscreen and their products are cruelty free. Ombrelle uses Mexoryl Technology. This is a patented term for a carbon based sun filter. It does not readily absorb into the skin. They offer a mineral sunscreen line as well as chemical based sunscreens. We, at Norther, recommend their mineral line. The mineral sunscreen for kids is made with titanium dioxide.  It is lightweight and hypoallergenic. 

Live Clean products are available in major retail stores. They have built a reputation as a Canadian brand committed to offering plant and naturally derived, eco-conscious products. They abide by a list of standards including: SLS Free, Dye Free, Paraben Free, Cruelty Free, Petrolatum Free, Dermatologist Tested, Hypoallergenic and Certified Organic Botanicals. They offer a mineral sunscreen for babies consisting of non-nano zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. It is pediatrician tested and fragrance free. 

Mudditt, J. (2022, July 5). Why sunscreen is not enough to prevent sunburns. BBC. Retrieved July 10, 2022, from https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220704-why-childhood-sunburns-are-so-dangerous

The trouble with SPF. (n.d.). EWG’s Guide to Sunscreens. Retrieved July 10, 2022, from                                                    https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/whats-wrong-with-high-spf/

What makes sunscreen reef safe or marine safe along with a list of Canadian brands that offer reef safe products.

Canadian Non-Nano Reef Safe Sunscreen 

Whether surfing at the beach or cottaging at the lake, Canadians love to soak up summer by the water. It may then, be daunting to know that the simple act of putting on sunscreen before jumping into the waves can be harmful to aquatic environments and detrimental to marine life. If you are planning on swimming somewhere other than a swimming pool this summer, here is what you need to know about Reef Safe sunscreens and some Canadian options you should consider.

Common sunscreens work by absorbing the sun's rays and converting the UVA/B wavelengths into infrared (heat). Although they offer protection from the sun, there are concerns about the safety of the ingredients in these sunscreens. Notably, oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene act as allergens, endocrine disruptors, and two of them are carcinogenic. That is just their effects on people! These chemicals have been banned in Hawaii, Palua and Aruba, with several other countries following suit, due to their harmful effects on aquatic life. For example, octocrylene has been shown to be toxic to coral reefs. 

A safer alternative to chemical sunscreens is mineral sunscreen. This is usually composed of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. They form a barrier on the surface of the skin and physically block the sun's rays. The minerals can come in different sizes. Nanoparticles are generally much smaller which allow the sunscreen to be less visible when applied to the skin. They generally do not absorb into the skin, however, they can be dangerous when in an aerosol medium as they can be damaging to the lungs when inhaled. There is conflicting data on their impact on aquatic environments with some organizations cautioning against using them. Non-nano zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are 

harmful to aquatic organisms or their environments because they are biodegradable.  

Here are several environmentally conscious Canadian brands that offer non-nano and Reef Safe sunscreens:

3acres makes environmentally friendly and healthy products derived from their bee hives in Dunham, Quebec.  They produce a 100% bio-based mineral sunscreen from beeswax, coconut, raspberry oil and other recognizable ingredients. The active component that offers sun protection is non-nano zinc oxide. Their sunscreen is safe for oceans and marine life. 

Birch Babe makes personal care products free of toxins, ethically sourced, and free of plastic and unnecessary packaging. Their mineral based sunscreen is certified all natural, vegan and cruelty free. Its key ingredient is non-nano zinc oxide which reflects the sun's rays without being absorbed into the skin. It is also made up of coconut oil, avocado oil and shea butter so it's no surprise that the sunscreen goes on creamy like a moisturizer and rubs in clear. It is marine life friendly.

Cocoon Apothecary uses ethically sourced ingredients and makes all of their products in-house to maintain control over the quality of their products. Their skin care line is verified as natural and organic as they have the Ecocert Cosmos Natural or Organic certification. Their sunscreen is mineral based with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide acting as key ingredients offering physical protection from the sun. There is no mention of whether they are in nano form or not, however, the sunscreen does not come in an aerosol form. The sunscreen is non-greasy, moisturizing and made with nourishing sea buckthorn seed oil and pulp extract and shea butter. It is Reef and Water Safe.

Rocky Mountain Soap Company focuses on natural ingredients that are safe, healthy, can be processed naturally and work. In an effort to be transparent with their costumers, they attempt to use recognizable ingredients that are also effective. They aim to make each product with 10 ingredients or less to avoid useless or potentially toxic components. Their vanilla coconut sunscreen is made with non-nano zinc oxide and shea butter. It is Reef Safe so it safe to use in aquatic environments. They offer a summertime collection, with a signature scent, for a limited time. Try the whole collection.

Valley Organic Blends is a family run business in Hanmer, Ontario. They handcraft their products in small batches using mainly vegan, cruelty free, organic and preservative free ingredients. They sell their products locally but they are also available online. Their handcrafted sunscreen is 80% organic and made with only 5 ingredients: cocoa butter, beeswax, non nano zinc oxide, coconut and olive oil. There is no mention if it is Reef Safe but it is made of biodegradable ingredients. 

Live Clean products are available in major retail stores. They have built a reputation as a Canadian brand committed to offering plant and naturally derived, eco-conscious products. They abide by a list of standards including: SLS Free, Dye Free, Paraben Free, Cruelty Free, Petrolatum Free, Dermatologist Tested, Hypoallergenic and Certified Organic Botanicals. They offer a variety of mineral sunscreens for the body, face, sport, kids and babies; available in lotion or spray. All of their sunscreens are made with non-nano zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and they are Reef Safe. 

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