Outdoorsy fashionistas have been fawning over Muttonhead’s unisex apparel since 2009, when twin sisters Mel and Meg Sinclair launched the Toronto-based brand. It’s not just the refined approach to casual-wear that caught buyers’ attention, but the line’s locavore credentials. Muttonhead’s small batch–made clothes are designed, sewed and made with fabric that’s woven and dyed within the GTA.
Five years after launching Muttonhead, the Sinclair sisters cut the ribbon on their first storefront. When they opened, the impeccably curated shop had a art gallery–like quality to its layout. The room treaded towards scandinavian minimalism (pine shelves, polished concrete floors). As the store's offerings grew to include not only Muttonhead apparel, but other small North American brands as well as Toronto-made grooming products, the shop's look matured to accommodate the growing inventory. Thanks to a few maple stumps acting as shelves, the room now has a minimalist-but-still-distinctly-Canuck feel to it. The odd splash of plaid inventory only helps foster that Canadian feeling.
Muttonhead lives and breathes the Canadiana ethos. Basically, if this Roncesvalles brand came to life it would taste like maple syrup, smell like Ryan Gosling and feel like a Tragically Hip concert in mid-July. Touting all locally made merch, their high-quality backpacks, pillows, toques, grooming products, mugs and records will prep you for the northern wilds. While you’re at it, roll up to the dock in style, with their Mountain High beer cosies and leather Big Sixer beer caddy. Because, beer.
Muttonhead’s mandate of selling ethically made clothing from Canada is something I can totally get behind. Their focus on quality and ‘slow design’ versus ‘fast fashion’ is completely unique; given that their parka supply is vast, and overwhelmingly stylish this Roncesvalles haunt is the perfect spot for the Torontonian who values feeling good and looking even better.
There’s no doubt that Canadian-made comfort wear has captured the attention of the Muttonhead crew, and their full range of unisex jersey shirts, go-ahead-and-wear-outta-the-house sweatpants, down-filled vests, and quilted jackets can be found at their Roncesvalles shop. Designed and manufactured in Toronto proper, the company calls itself an antidote to “fast fashion,” opting instead for a process of trend-outlasting slow design and test-of-time durable fabrics. Looking for a little something special? Browse Muttonhead’s oh-so-cozy toques or soft button-up shirts that strike a fine balance between comfortable and night-on-the-town approved.