What to Wear in Canada in Winter: The Ultimate Packing List

It was exactly a year ago this week that I moved from my home in New York City to Toronto. 

I was only supposed to be in Canada for a few weeks before moving on to Thailand, so I packed according. 

As it turns out, the world changed drastically right as I was arriving, and what was meant to be a brief stay turned into spending eight months in Canada.

Unfortunately, this meant almost all of my wardrobe was out of place for the cold Canadian winter.

Thankfully, it just took a bit of online shopping and some local advice to sort out my dilemma.

Are you wondering what to wear in Canada in winter? Just follow this packing list below and you’ll be a lot more prepared than I was!

Stock Up on Warm Accessories

Winter Coat 

This item is fairly obvious, you’re going to want a nice heavy duty winter coat for Canada.

I always end up buying my winter coats from either North Face, RAINS, or Canada Goose. All of these brands make coats that come in a longer length style that’s perfect for the brutal cold weather. 

Both also have plenty of isolation to keep you extra warm on a freezing day. 

Gentlemen, don’t worry I’ve got some long warm coats for you to check out as well.

Winter Gloves

Gloves were one of the first items I bought when I realized I’d be spending extra time in Canada. 

If you’re on the market for a chic and super warm leather pair, check out Delgado’s cashmere lined gloves below!

Cozy Thick Scarf

I always travel with a scarf, especially when heading to places where the temperature can easily dip into the single digits.

Or splurge a bit and invest in a timeless cashmere scarf like the one linked below by Luca Faloni. It’s absolutely stunning and will go with pretty much any outfit imaginable.

Wool Socks

When you’re layering up, don’t forget about your feet. 

The last thing you want to do in the middle of the brisk cold Canadian winter is go out with a thin pair of socks on—your feet will freeze after a few minutes!

Invest in a few pairs of quality wool socks to keep your toes warm on the coldest of days!

The best part is that they’re just the right amount of thick, so that they fit easily with pretty much any shoe. 

I know not everyone is into wool, so I’ve also listed some cozy cotton pairs below.

Warm Tights

Ladies, if you’re packing a dress, you’ll absolutely want to pack some warm tights to go along with it.

I’ve been partial to just wearing my Capezio dance tights, since they’re thicker than normal ones.

I know it’s weird to wear dance tights in everyday life, but they would always keep my legs warm on the way to dance classes in New York. Eventually, I just started wearing them everywhere.

When I told my Canadian friend about my dance tights as winter tights obsession, they couldn’t stop laughing.

That’s when she told me about fleece lined tights. She said they’re the only tights they wear to work in the winter and basically said I was crazy not to have a pair.

Now I always travel to winter destinations with both my standby Capezios and my more solid winter weather VERO MONTE pair.

Winter Hat 

Another item you’ll want to invest in is a winter hat. 

I got mine from Luca Faloni and it’s been the perfect warm winter hat. It’s super soft and made of cashmere!

It’s also thin enough that you can easily put it in a pocket or purse when you stop to warm up with a nice cup of coffee. 

Thermal Leggings

One of my favorite things a local told me about was thermal leggings. 

With their extra insulation, they quickly became my favorite thing to wear while running errands. 

The ones I got were from BALEAF. They have a side pocket and a fleece lining. I got the black, but the good news is they come in many colors, so you can pick the ones that fit your style. 

I love them so much that I ordered a second pair in the navy as I was writing this. 

Long Johns

If you really want to go all in, order a pair of long johns. 

Turns out they’re super warm, and easy to layer under most clothes.

Thermajane makes an impressive set of fleece-lined, moisture wicking long johns for women. 

They’re so cozy that you’ll even want to wear them while lounging around the house!

Gentlemen, since Long John’s began as a men’s clothing item, I’m assuming you’ve probably known about the warming power for a while now.

If you haven’t even donned a pair, you’ll absolutely want to invest in a pair ASAP. Below are some some popular men’s options.

Pack a Solid Winter Wardrobe

Thermal Tops

Another must for your winter wardrobe are thermal tops.

Canadian winters are insanely cold, and these tops will help you stay cute and warm!

I prefer the black turtle neck thermal tops because they’re easy to style day or night and always look chic and keep your neck warm!

Warm Zip-Up or Hoodie

One of my favorite things to travel with is a zip-up. or cozy hoodie It’s perfect for when you need to add an extra layer or remove one quickly. 

I almost always end up wearing it on flights because I’m always freezing on planes.

My favorite zip-up is no longer in production, but don’t stress, I’ve listed a few similar models below for you to shop.

The Dolcevida one is fleece lined for a bit of extra warmth.

The NikBen hoodie below is one of my favorite things to wear on the plane, and it’s always a fantastic way to warm up when the tempertaure drops lower than normal.

Gentlemen (and ladies who love to steal their boyfriends hoodies), check out the LUCA FALONI Black Pure Cashmere Hoodie linked below. It’s super chic, looks amazing on him and actually pretty cute on women as well, and will keep you warm all winter long!

Sweaters

You’ll also want a selection of warm sweaters to survive spending time in Canada during the winter.

I’m especially loving the big chunky knit sweaters this season. They make it easy to add a thermal underneath if it’s below zero out. 

Jeans

I believe that everyone should always have at least one nice pair of jeans with them.

Jeans are so easy to dress up or down, and they are fairly warm. 

I always travel with 2 pairs—a skinny black jean, and a boot cut dark wash denim.

The glorious thing about skinny jeans is that they can easily fit into your winter boots, while keeping your look chic!

My favorite jeans are from Jbrand and Jeanerica, they’re always super well made and stylish.

Obviously, men will also want at least one pair of jeans to run around it while traveling.

I think it’s always smart to go for a darker wash, since men can easily dress that wash up or down, plus, it’s less likely to show stains!

Snow Pants

If you’re planning an enormous amount of outdoor time, like hiking or skiing, then you’ll want to pack a pair of snow pants. 

Snow Boots

If you’re planning on spending any time outside in Canada, especially outside of major cities, you’ll want to have a pair of snow boots handy.

Since they’re a hard item to pack, I’d really only bring these if you have extra space, there’s a snowstorm forecast, or you plan on doing lots of outdoor activities.

I didn’t have a pair in Toronto and survived with a more basic winter boot, which I’ll get into next.

If you’re looking for a solid pair of snow boots, check out the SOREL Joan of Arc snow boots. I’ve had my pair for years, and they’ve never let me down. 

They’re super fashionable, waterproof and lined with fleece and faux fur trim. 

Winter Boots

I survived the Toronto winter with a few pairs of waterproof boots that have served me well through many rainy and snowy seasons in NYC. 

My favorite pair are BLONDO’s over-the-knee boots. They’re basically an exact dupe of the more expensive Stuart Weitzman 50/50 boots, except these are totally waterproof! 

I also have a pair of their booties, which are perfect for running around town in. They look cute with leggings or with jeans. 

They also make a stylish pair for gentleman that are easily dressed up or down depending on where you’re heading.

Just make sure whatever winter boots you bring to Canada are waterproof and have rubber bottoms, ideally with some sort of traction. The last thing you want is to slip and fall on your butt in front of everyone!

Warm Dress

If you plan on going anywhere fancy, toss a cute sweater dress in your bag.

I always pack one that’s on the longer side so that I’m more covered up in the cold.

Because I’m a sucker for a good turtleneck, I typically end up bringing a turtleneck dress. You can dress them up or down and have the bonus of keeping your neck warm.

Other Winter Vacation Essentials

Hand and Foot Warmers

I know hand and foot warmers are things that most of us are only used to seeing our grandparents use, but trust me, you’ll want a few of them while you’re in the snow.

Canada gets freezing cold and windy. Once you add snow into the mix, you’ve got some freezing hands and feet.

I ordered a variety pack from HotHands and would carry the hand warmers in my purse for anytime I was outside for extended periods of time. They really come in handy on days you forget to grab your gloves.

The foot warmers are one of my favorite things to put in my socks right after I get home. They instantly warm up your feet. 

The best part is that they’re disposable, easy to use, and TSA approved.

If you want one that is technically better for the environment, The Survival Frog Store makes cute rechargeable hand warmers. They even double as a portable charger!

Bikini

I know, this one is totally out of left field for a guide focused on what to wear in Canada in the winter. 

Here’s the deal, most hotels, ski lodges, and apartment complexes have at least one pool, hot tubs, saunas.

The last thing you want to be doing is trying to buy a last-minute swimsuit in the middle of winter so that you can enjoy the amenities.

Just toss a bikini in your bag, I bet you’ll be glad you did!

Moisturizer

Travel and winter weather are both things that will dry out your skin. 

You absolutely will need some solid moisturizer with SPF. 

I know you’re probably rolling your eyes at the SPF bit, but the sun’s rays can still get you, even when it’s cold and cloudy. 

My go-to moisturizer is No.7 Restore and Renew with SPF. It’s super hydrating and doesn’t leave residue sitting on your skin.

If you’re looking for something extra moisturizing, grab Clinique’s Moisture Surge. It instantly revives my skin after long flights.

No matter what brand you use, always be re-applying throughout the day to keep your skin fresh!

Chapstick

While you’re keeping your face properly hydrated, you’ll want to do the same for your lips.

I always keep some chapstick in my purse year-round so I can easily re-apply whenever necessary. 

My go-to is Burt’s Bees Pomegranate because it’s cheap and has a slight rosy tint. 

If you’re okay spending more, go for Sugar Lip Balm with SPF15. They come in different tints and is my favorite little luxury to grab when at Sephora. 

Sunglasses

I’ve forgotten to pack sunglasses more times than I care to admit. It’s the worst feeling arriving at your destination to find yourself squinting to see.

Now I always pack at least one pair in my purse the night before traveling.

My go-to’s are a pair of vintage black ones. They’ve got a glamorous old Hollywood vibe to them and instantly elevate all of my outfits.

Final Thoughts

Even though I’m admittedly not a fan of freezing cold winter weather, Canada will always have a special place in my heart.

It turned out to be a blessing in disguise that I could stay in the country as long as I did. 

I got to experience every season and all the weather changes that go along with them. 

It truly is a beautiful country any time of year, but especially in the winter when it’s covered in so much snow that you feel as if you’ve woken up in a snow globe.

I hope this guide has helped you figure out what to wear in Canada in the winter. 

Let me know in the comments below what your go-to winter survival item is, and if I need to add it to my list!