Fashion trending in canada

Do you wear a toque?  My urban dictionary says a ‘toque’ is the ultimate in high Canadian fashion, worn year round, whether it’s cold or warm outside.  Wikipedia, is more traditional, ‘popular from the 13th to 16th century in Europe, especially France, now known primarily as the traditional headgear for professional cooks.’  Those people are so darn smart, don’t you think?  For me with a rather thick glop of hair, it means a headgear that must be worn in the deepest of winter…and in northern Canada that can pretty well be any time after November 1st. 

I shall not complain. I will wear my Canadian gear, and remember my favorite stuff for REAL cold, like toques that allow brains to keep working in freezing temps and mukluks, with imitation seal to quiet my passage when walking in the bush.

 
It use to be that we wore camouflage pants and jackets for hunting in the fall. But now camo clothing is trendy! Who really are we trying to hide from? Blame it on the French – the word camouflage came from the French Army in 1915. It is actually a verb meaning ‘to make up for the stage’. I wonder, what stage?

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And of course, there’s plaid – but we have the Scottish to blame for that. With the Welsh helping out with flannel. Flannel plaid is very popular in Canada, warm and cozy – reminding you how you should feel on a cold winter’s day. Seriously, what works against our extreme cold:

• Silk is one of my favorites under my heavy oilskin or wool pants.  It’s a natural fabric and wicks away sweat while providing a natural insulator. It is more expensive but if you have ever tried to put thermal underwear under a pair of YOUR jeans, you might have to wear someone else’s – a size larger – not with silk
• Fleece is wonderfully warm! I have a fleece liner vest that is adaptable to many of my coats. Fleece has raised pile that keeps body heat trapped – very similar to our Alaskan Malamute’s undercoat that traps a layer of air between the hairs and the Malamute’s skin for cold or warm, depending on what they need
• The Balaclava is essential in a cold Canadian climate. It has holes for your eyes (and possibly nose) but covers the remaining part of your face where frostbite can occur. No one wants large blisters on their face. Beware there are many different types. The good folks in Britain invented the balaclava in 1854 during the Battle of Balaclava

 
So, here’s the thing – warm air rises – cold air sinks. I am not a doctor, nurse, or shrink. What I do know is keep your head and your face covered, as well as your torso, legs, and ohhhh, I will have a whole session on hands and feet. And yes, many of these so-called trends actually came from our European and Indigenous ancestors. Sometimes I wonder if we are really re-inventing the wheel.
It is steaming cold in Canada!