Spark

Canada Day is one of our favourite days of the year, and this July 1st is sure to be extra special – it is our 150th birthday, after all! In advance of the big day, we’ve pulled together three great outfit ideas, complete with our favourite patriotic pieces from Oh Canada, to make sure that you’re celebrating in style this year – no matter where you find yourself. Whether you plan on watching fireworks from the cabin, lounging on an Osborne Street patio, or hanging by the pool with your friends, we’ve got you covered.

Hanging out in the city: If you like being in the middle of the action, chances are you’ll be hopping between Assiniboine Park, Osborne Village, and The Forks. From strolling through street parties to dancing to Canadian bands, you’re definitely going to have a great time – but be prepared to do some walking! It’s a good idea to wear something simple and comfortable, and we recommend bringing a jacket in case it gets chilly after the sun goes down. With this in mind, we amped up a basic denim jacket with themed patches from Oh Canada to get you into the Canada Day spirit – that said, patches are cool and timeless and can be worn year-round! Wrap a red bandana around your wrist for another fun pop of Canadian colour.

At the cabin: Relaxing at the cabin is one of our favourite ways to spend Canada Day. Not only is a weekend trip to the cottage a distinctly Canadian experience, but it’s a great chance to spend some quality time with your friends and family. During the day, you can throw a pair of short overalls over a tank top or your swimsuit as you lounge on a boat or soak up the sun in the backyard. After nightfall, keep warm as you watch fireworks over the lake by layering on patriotic pieces from Oh Canada, like this light hoodie. Don’t forget a pair of red sneakers!

Pool party at your friend’s house: Even if you want to avoid big crowds on Canada Day and prefer a more intimate gathering with friends, you can still get into the spirit of things! If the weather is extra nice and you end up at a pool party, it’s a great chance to reach for your favourite suit-and-sandal combo. Since swimsuits are usually a bit of an investment, it’s probably not super practical to buy one just for Canada Day, but a few festive flags will keep everyone feeling patriotic. A one-piece suit with athletics-inspired detailing and co-ordinating Adidas slides are an on-trend, wear-all-day combo that will let you focus on perfecting your dive, or just lounging in your favourite blow-up pool accessory – we’re not here to judge.

We’d love to see how you dress to celebrate, so don’t forget to tag us in your Canada Day pics! Leading up to July 1, we’ve got some special things happening at the Centre. In honour of Canada 150, we're donating $1 to the True Patriot Love Foundation for every special edition St. Vital Centre Giftcard and pouch purchase of $50 or more, now until June 30. Click here for more details.

Visit these St. Vital Centre retailers to shop the looks in this post (check stores for availability):

Look 1 - Denim jacket

"The True North" t-shirt: Oh Canada, $35
Ripped jeans: Garage, $49.95
Denim jacket: Reitman's, $69.90
White sneakers: Browns (Reebok), $75
Black faux leather backpack: American Eagle Outfitters, $45.95
Red bandana: Boathouse, $10
Canada patches: Oh Canada, (range from $5-$11)

Look 2 - Overalls

Canada hoodie: Oh Canada, $60
Denim overall shorts: American Eagle Outfitters, $74.95
Keds: Hudson’s Bay, $55

Look 3 - Bathing suit

One-piece bathing suit: Swimco, $156
Adidas slides: Browns, $45
Canada flag: Oh Canada, $2