Where'd you get the Canadian tuxedo?
The three best brands from North of the border: a Canada Day special
I’m as big a fan of grown in, sewn in USA brands like American Giant as the next guy. But on Canada Day, our neighbors to the north deserve a shoutout for giving us three of the best brands in the game right now.
Bather
The youngest brand of the three on this list, Bather makes the best swim trunks on the market. Not best value, not best bang for buck, not any other caveat. The best.
They’re reminiscent of the stiff nylon shorts your dad wore to the beach in the 90s, but they’ve ditched the scratchy sailcloth feel and fishing-line mesh liner. Founded in 2013, Bather shorts are designed and made in Canada’s mini-Manhattan, Toronto.
I picked up a pair in the checkered flag pattern before a trip to Kauai last year and ended up wearing them every day. I liked them so much I scooped up another set in solid navy during Bather’s winter sale. They dry fast, the pockets are functional and you can throw them in the laundry without concern.
I’ll always be a Patagonia Baggies boy, but Bather is too good to ignore. Pick up a pair while they’re still $100 and under.
Reigning Champ
Looking west to the Pacific coast, Vancouver-based Reigning Champ makes basics that are anything but. Cool Canadians like Ryan Reynolds and Seth Rogen rep their hoodies and hats, respectively.
The heavyweight terry cloth is super durable but leans a little Rocky Balboa. The midweight terry crewneck is my favorite sweatshirt I own, edging out almost-but-not quite-as-good California-made options like Buck Mason.
Soft tags, cuffs that stay snappy and cotton-ribbed side seams mean they’re never itchy, even on the first wear. I keep four of them in rotation and wear one every time I need to be comfortable in an early morning Uber, on the plane and at my destination.
Lululemon
Okay, I get it. Reigning Champ’s Vancouver neighbor Lululemon has a lot of stereotypes to overcome. A past of insensitive executives and a present association with almond moms…kind of a bummer.
The competition is better than it used to be, so I understand if you haven’t bought any Lululemon in awhile. Vuori brings a surf bum vibe to athleisure that makes me wish I lived in Encinitas. Alo checks most of the boxes at a lower price with a little added LA flash.
But, Lululemon’s leggings and ABC joggers were category creators and still crush it (pun intended). The Bowline Short in stretch ripstop is my go-to for kicking it at home, grabbing a workout or “accidentally” falling asleep on the couch. Basically, they work for anything and everything casual. More than 20 years after they were founded, Lululemon remains undefeated.
A couple of months ago, I felt particularly inspired by a classic Harrison Ford shot and went all in. I paired a navy Reigning Champ midweight terry crewneck with Lululemon ripstop shorts, also in navy.
This Canada Day, take a minute to check out these brands and you too can walk the walk.