From the instantly recognizable beaver logo, to the classic salt and pepper speckled sweatpants, Roots has become the unofficial uniform of Canadians. The wilderness-inspired casual athleticwear pieces are perfect for lounging around the house, or staying cozy next to a campfire. We’re willing to bet that you have at least one item from Roots in your closet, and if you don’t are you sure you’re even Canadian? For anyone who is obsessed with shopping at Roots, these brands need to be on your radar the next time you shop!
Here are 10 brands to shop if you just can’t get enough of the Cozy and laidback style of Roots!
L.L. Bean
Launched over 100 years ago, L.L. Bean became popular from the sales of its Bean Boots, originally designed for hunters. Since the company’s launch over 100 years ago, the brand has grown to include clothing, footwear, outdoor equipment, and home goods. It’s effectively become a one stop shop for all your outdoor needs. L.L. Bean’s classic styles have stood the test of time and are a staple in outdoor wear. Now you can shop L.L. Bean at the retailer’s first Canadian location at Oakville Place! The store is filled with warm knits and soft flannels that will be perfect for fall apple picking or a brisk hike to see the changing colours of the leaves.
Abercrombie & Fitch
When you think of Abercrombie & Fitch, the brands preppy polos and denim jeans made popular in the early 2000s probably come to mind. Now the brand exudes effortless style that’s full of versatile, trendy, and relaxed pieces. Abercrombie & Fitch is definitely less outdoorsy than the other brands on this list but the brand focuses on creating casual and collegiate looks that are perf for everyday wear. A&F’s has a commitment to providing customers with lasting quality and exceptional comfort and that’s what really makes this brand stand out.
tentree
It’s no secret that the fashion industry is incredibly damaging to our earth, but tentree is on a mission to change that and is planning to become the most environmentally progressive brand on the planet. This ultra-sustainable brand serves fashion with a conscience, creating styles that will have you looking good and feel good. All items are made from sustainable materials like hemp, organic cotton, and recycled polyester — even the buttons are environmentally friendly, as they’re made from coconut shells instead of plastic! In addition, everything is manufactured in socially responsible factories, plus, the brand plants 10 trees for every item sold and has a goal of planting one billion trees by 2030!
Levi’s
While Levi’s is probably most known for its jeans and super cool denim, the brand actually has a wide range of other items and has recently expanded to include accessories as well. Levi’s has the same laidback, comfortable feel as Roots does and we love how the brand manages to maintain a hint of a vintage inspo, while still feeling perfectly up to date. The quality manufacturing creates timeless, classic items that are designed to outlast the stressors of day to day wear. Like the brand tagline says, these products are meant to be lived in – not just worn.
The North Face
The North Face has been known and loved by hardcore adventurers for years now, but don’t let that intimidate you as the brand is suitable for everyone. Designed to survive on a mountainside, these pieces are made with great technical quality. The jackets and fleeces are sure the keep you warm during the unpredictable fall weather all the way into the thick of winter. Also, in line with the mission to preserve the outdoors, The North Face has recently re-released its most popular styles now made with sustainable materials.
Lands’ End
For comfy and cozy wardrobe staples for men, women, and kids. Lands’ End apparel and outerwear is made using high-end materials that are designed to last.
Columbia
There’s a reason outdoor lovers are always sporting Columbia outerwear and apparel. If you love the timeless, outdoorsy styles of Roots, Columbia is a must-shop.
Eddie Bauer
Eddie Bauer has been producing designer outdoor wear for the past 100 years. For stylish pieces you’ll own for years to come, like Roots, this brand is a top pick.
Fjallenraven
Although they are known for their iconic backpacks, Fjallenraven designs a range of apparel and accessories that are perfect for anyone who enjoys the outdoors. Always look on-point with flannels, parkas, vests, sweaters, pants, and many more styles that rival Roots’ own designs.
Patagonia
Patagonia is famous for its iconic fleece sweaters and zip-ups, vests, jackets, and stylish high-end outdoor gear. Although the brand is definitely a pricier alternative to Roots, you’ll have these pieces for years to come.
While the summer season is more than halfway over, there is still loads of time to get outside, and enjoy what’s left. If you’re down for adventure, you might be needing to grab a few essentials for your excursion. There’s no better place to shop for all your needs than L.L. Bean’s first Canadian location which is now open as of August 23.
L.L. Bean is a 107-year company with a vast history and loyal customer base and it’s first Canadian location is 13,000 square feet.
This news isn’t exactly a surprise as the American outdoors retailer had announced last fall that its expanding into the Canadian market with Canadian distributor The Jaytex Group.
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“We’ve had a long, meaningful relationship with Canadian customers for decades, so we’re thrilled to be able to give our loyal Canadian fans a true comprehensive, omnichannel L.L.Bean experience, with a dedicated web site, Canadian catalogues, and now L.L.Bean retail stores,” said Stephen Smith, President and CEO of L.L.Bean in a release. “As a Maine-based company that shares a lot of commonalities with our northern neighbours, we’re eager to be infusing a bit of the Maine essence and L.L.Bean brand into the Canadian market.”
Expect to shop all of your beloved L.L. Bean pieces like the brands famous Bean Boots, cozy plaid, ultralight down-filled jackets, and of course, the classic tote bags.
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In addition to entering the Canadian market, the brand also launched a Canadian website with Canadian pricing, and has released a Canadian version of its iconic catalogue.
In addition to its classic offerings, L.L. Bean has everything you could ever need for back to school shopping including backpacks, pencil cases, lunch bags, and more.
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If you can’t make it to Oakville, you can visit select Hudson’s Bay locations across Canada and check out the L.L. Bean shop-in-shops.
The retailer also has a number of gifts, games, and home essentials available in store. Among those are its iconic slipper that’s actually called the Wicked Good Slipper because it’s so comfortable.
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“Hudson’s Bay celebrates a sense of community and outdoor adventure that is embraced by Canadians,” says Wayne Drummond, Chief Merchant, Hudson’s Bay. “Our customers trust Hudson’s Bay to find and deliver the very best brands that reflect those values. It is this shared spirit with L.L.Bean that compelled us to launch the brand in our stores and online this fall.”
And in case you live nowhere near Oakville, don’t fret because Jaytex has plans to open 20 more L.L. Bean locations across the country.
“We are proud to bring the first L.L.Bean store to the Canadian market. Working with key retailers, including our longtime partnership with Hudson’s Bay, will only strengthen and broaden the L.L. Bean brand across the country” says Howie Kastner, President, Jaytex Group.
Take a peek inside L.L. Bean below:
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The popular Maine-based L.L. Bean brand, partnering with the Toronto-based Jaytex Group, will open its first standalone Canadian store in 2019 in the Toronto area. It is the latest international brand to enter the Canadian market. In addition, the company already launched a Canadian e-commerce site and is selling its products this holiday season at 24 Canadian retailers, such as Sporting Life, Hudson’s Bay, MEC, and SportChek. Canadians can now buy the iconic ‘Bean Boot,’ plus the brand’s clothing for men and women, backpacks, and outdoor gear.
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According to CEO Steve Smith, the company already has a strong customer base in Canada, and its cold weather gear and focus on the outdoors fits perfectly with Canadian needs. The company has had three years of flat sales and is refocusing on its outdoor roots.
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Founded in 1912 by Leon Lemonwood Bean, the company still operates its original flagship store in Freeport, Maine, which has been open 24 hours a day since 1951, with few exceptions. The retailer also runs a network of stores in the U.S. and Japan and plans on opening 20 stores across Canada over the next 10 years.
Known for its liberal return policies, where they gave a 100% money back guarantee on purchases without a receipt, in February 2018, the company started limiting returns to one year of purchase and now require proof of purchase.
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Source: Retail-Insider.com