20 Gifts for Canadians Who Love Streetwear

Image via Complex Original/Jazz Alba

Back in 2020, Atelier New Regime toasted “The Birth Of A New Regime” with its FW20 collection. That’s also the name of the brand’s new book, which takes the form of a journal—with 228 images, mostly captured by creative director Koku Awuye—to document the creations and challenges of 2020, and offer a behind-the-scenes look at what makes the Montreal brand tick.

$160, ateliernewregime.com

A tote bag is an essential, but a grocery bag displaying fat stacks—like this collab by Toronto designer Xylk and Canadian sneaker boutique CNTRBND—is the gift that will get used over and over again. It’s the bag they didn’t know they needed.

$40, CNTRBND

Get Fresh Company is a Toronto brand worth knowing. As well as milling their own fabrics, they’ve launched a number of collabs with the likes of Puma and the Toronto Raptors. Their 10 Year YYZ Hat’s a good gateway into the brand, finished with a YYZ logo on the front and “Ten Years Strong” on the right panel.

$60, gfctoronto.com

Allen Iverson is more than an NBA hall-of-famer—he’s a renegade style icon too. The guard was notably hands-on with his first signature sneaker, the Reebok Question Mid; it was his idea to add the iconic red and blue toe caps to it. Twenty-five years later, the “Pink Toe” iteration of the shoe celebrates The Answer’s cross-cultural impact with an equally bold colourway: a white leather upper, a pink suede toe cap, and a pink ice outsole. It flips the script, much like AI did on and off the court.

$200, footlocker.ca

The 9 Camden Staple hooded sweatshirt takes the favourite The Legends League T-shirt and turns it into something fit for the colder season. Here, the Camden 9 refers to the brand’s former HQ at Toronto’s 9 Camden St.

$100, thelegendsleague.com

From Canada’s first and only women’s sneaker boutique, Makeway, come these minimalist, concrete catchalls, hand-poured in Toronto by All Conditions Studio. A place she can offload her stuff after a long day of killing it.  

$60, shopmakeway.co

These swirling socks may look purely psychedelic at first glance, but if you look a little more closely you’ll find they’re just rude enough to be funny.

$30, Raised by Wolves

Things that have stood the test of time: books, vinyl records, and the Reebok Classic Leather. Since dropping amid the fitness craze of the early ’80s, the crisp white shoe has won generations of sneakerheads over with its simple, versatile steez. Boasting a soft leather upper and die-cut EVA midsole, the Classic is a safe gifting bet because it’ll never go out of style. Your grandkids will be wearing these joints.

$100, reebok.ca

A comfy pair of leggings is not a want but a need. Help them stand out from all the pairs of Lululemon leggings in these fresh white ones from Mr. Saturday that feature “Good Luck” on the waistband.

$102, Mr. Saturday

Got someone you really want to impress? Get them this two-tone, multi-patch jacket—a modern spin on Roots’ storied varsity by rising Toronto brand Adidem Asterisks—and they will straight-up marry you.

$900, adidem.world

At a time when the world’s been flipped, turned upside down, it’s only fitting that you wear a hat with that same energy. This trucker hat—featuring an upside down Blue Jays logo over top a heart and baby pink under the brim—knows the vibes. 

$49.99, upsideshop.ca

The Cut Pile creates handmade tufted rugs featuring designs with everything from Nike shoe boxes to Takashi Murakami’s flowers. This one’s focused on the Fragment x Pikachu project.

$365, thecutpile.com

From Livestock co-founder Garret “GMAN” Louie’s Vancouver brand TAIKAN, which just started dropping apparel, the FLANKER is a step up from the standard tote. It comes with a drawstring closure, nickel finishes, and internal pockets for extra storage. 

$79.99, taikaneverything.com

Treat them like the star that they are with this super heavyweight fleece hoodie by Vancouver-based multidisciplinary creative house New Tone Studios. 

$165, newtonestudios.ca

Add some holiday sparkle to all their fits with this classic and elegant recycled gold necklace from Vancouver’s Wolf Circus.

$125, Wolf Circus

Based out of Canada’s capital city, NRML has been curating footwear and apparel for over 20 years. Its incense holder is the brand’s own product, simple with a skeleton print.

$20, nrml.ca

Since it started back in 2012, Kuwalla Tee has been redefining basics with a consistent focus on the environment. Its knit denim jacket is no different. Available in black and camel, its clean styling makes it a strong wardrobe essential.

$125, kuwallatee.com

Montreal brand Dime has been putting out crisp skatewear for years, and their classic acrylic beanie will keep them looking clean and feeling cozy all winter long.

$140, Dime

Make someone’s house a home with this limited-edition monogram floor mat from Vancouver brand Reigning Champ. It’s handcrafted from natural coconut husk fibres with a heavy-duty vinyl backing.

$100, ca.reigningchamp.com

Let their clothes do the talking in this cheeky pocket T-shirt from Toronto brand No Fun Press. The all black with the simple white lettering means this tee will go with everything in their closet.

$34, No Fun Press