by: Laura Milligan
Average January Highs: 22 degrees Farenheit; -5 degrees Celsius
Average January Lows: 4 degrees Farenheit; -15 degrees Celsius
More Montreal averages and weather information found here.
Montreal is quickly becoming a hot spot travel destination for international vacationers and business travelers. It’s the second largest city in Canada, and the cultural epicenter of Quebec, geographically the largest province in the country. Montreal, which has a population of 3.6 million, is a French-speaking cosmopolitan city with fine food, fashion, art and nightlife. From Old World-inspired architecture to the skyscrapers in downtown to Gay Village, the continent’s largest gay district, to Canada’s own Quartier Latin, and all the cafes, shops and plazas in between, Montreal is the ideal city for exploring and experiencing the fusion between history and contemporary society.
What to wear in Montreal:
Montreal is cold in the wintertime, and like Chicagoans, Montreal women favor bundling up fashionably. Catherine McKenzie, author of the bestselling novel Spin, notes that “nothing looks sillier than a woman who isn’t dressed for the weather. So save your heels for indoors and invest in a pair of warm, yet stylish boots. You can never go wrong with black, knee length boots,” but, “McKenzie cautions, “steer clear of stilettos and high heels – that’s a recipe for taking a tumble on the icy sidewalks.” Puffy coats with fur hoods are in, and she lists sweater dresses, cuffed trousers and little knit hats as finishing pieces. “Montreal women tend to be classically stylish and funk it up with chunky jewelry. We leave the skin bearing for warmer weather.” (McKenzie also recently wrote an article for The Savvy Reader detailing all the hot spots in Montreal that her character Kate would visit. Definitely bookmark it for your trip).
The more daring and avant garde dresser may want to try out Vivian George’s Toast Snow Skirt (below), a long, fitted black puffer skirt that is actually quite sleek and urban, and a staple any Comme des Garcons fan would appreciate. George is based in Toronto, but the patent-pending skirts are manufactured in Montreal. 
Wardrobe Staples:
Smart Shopping Montreal founder (there’s a book and shopping blog) Sandra Phillips strongly believes in silky longjohns, which can make you feel luxurious and sexy rather than sweaty and itchy. Montreal, she says is “famously home to well-dressed and beautiful women and men” who favor the styles of Parisians and the Milanese: think good quality, well-fitting staples topped with colorful coats and hats to show off individuality.
Dallas-based Merchandising Buyer and Designer Helen Calvin seconds this observation and lauds the innate ability of Montreal women to turn everyday neturals into fabulous outfits. “I was impressed with their play on neutrals,” she recalls after a recent trip to Quebec. “The women wore a lot of dove greys, lavender based browns, honey-like creams, etc. It was color done neutral. Not the American adherence to black, khaki, and charcoal grey, but a subtle twist on relaxed personal style.”
Current Trends:
And if you want to look current in Montreal, it’s safe to play with a couple of trends like mixing and matching contrasting textures (like leather and lace, says Phillips). Other fun pieces Phillips recommends:
- shearling-lined jackets
- short bomber jackets
- leggings with high boots and long sweaters
- choosing to wear local designers rather than chainstore goods.
BLACK RIVET FUNNEL NECK COAT
CL RUFFLED SWEATER $59.99
ISABELLA OLIVER 5-POCKET TROUSER $107.4
ISABELLA OLIVER ROMA DRESS $213.75
ISABELLA OLIVER "O" COAT $321.75
CASUAL LIVING SCRUNCHED SUEDE BOOTS $49
Catherine Zeta-Jones; People.com
Photo Source: Elle.com
- Smart Shopping Montreal: Sandra Phillips’ city shopping directory.
- Toast Skirts: Vivian George’s unique line of puffer skirts
- Festival Mode & Design, Montreal: Information on Montreal’s fashion festival, which features runway shows, contests, parties, music and more.
- “Three-Day Shopping Spree in Montreal:” An article on TripAdvisor highlighting some of the best shopping in the city.
