Made With Love: 12 Apparel Brands From Vancouver Island

Some of our favourite clothing companies are based on Vancouver Island, making everything from comfy tees and stylish pants to eye-catching dresses and adorable onesies. You might want to have your credit card at the ready as you check out these 12 local apparel brands.

12 Vancouver Island-Based Apparel Brands

1. Whistle & Flute (Victoria)

Smiling sushi rolls. A happy cloud with a rainbow springing out of it. Fists with “They/Them” written across the knuckles. A grinning maple leaf wearing red high-top sneakers. These are just a few of the fun designs splashed across tees by Whistle & Flute (the name comes from Cockney rhyming slang for a “suit” of clothing).

The Victoria company makes comfy, long-lasting, gender-neutral clothing for kids, and several pieces are also available in adult sizes. Many of the designs feature smiling food—think strawberries, cherries, watermelon, pizza, poutine, macarons, ice cream, pretzels and popcorn—but the most popular is the Milestone Number T-Shirt, for celebrating birthdays from age one to 11.

Because sustainability is extremely important for Whistle & Flute, the company recently transitioned away from ordering thousands of pieces at a time from overseas and returned to a local made-to-order business model.

“Even though we know our customer, we can’t predict what will sell out or what the economic climate will be seven months out when we’d have to order seasons in advance,” says founder and designer Miranda McCullagh. “We would end up with a lot of leftover product after a season, which we would discount or donate, and this was not sitting well with us. We’ve wanted to get back to local manufacturing again, as when we started 13 years ago, we were screen printing everything ourselves from our garage. This way we make only what we have sold and can also offer our huge catalogue of designs, giving our customers more options while preventing our clothing from contributing to overflowing landfills.”

2. Hikesity (Victoria)

Vancouver Island is the perfect testing lab for the sun hats, UV-protection jackets, thermal tops and other technical apparel and accessories Hikesity makes. “Between the beaches, the trails and the West Coast rain, if a sun visor or a thermal layer thrives here for a year, it’s ready for anywhere,” says founder Jun Hang. “We think of it as bringing a little bit of island life to customers everywhere.”

Each piece is designed to work equally well on country trails and city streets, hence the combination of “hike” and “city” in the company’s name. “It’s very much a reflection of life here in Victoria—you can be downtown for coffee in the morning and on a beach or a forest trail by the afternoon. I wanted gear that doesn’t make you choose,” Hang says. All Hikesity’s products are designed with sustainability in mind. “For us, sustainability starts with durability. The most sustainable product is the one you don’t have to replace.”

A point of particular pride is the Eco-Chic Braided Straw UPF50+ Sun Visor woven from paper straw. Hang describes the hat as “an open-top, rollable straw visor with a 4.5-inch brim that blocks 99.95 percent of UVA and UVB. It rolls flat in a suitcase and springs back to shape, weighs just 100 grams and is ponytail-friendly—which our customers tell us matters more than we ever guessed.” And Hang can offer proof for the hat’s sun-protection rating: “Most sun hats on the market self-claim ‘UV protection’ with nothing behind it. We sent ours to an ILAC-MRA accredited lab and published the full test report—all three pages of it—on the product page. A straw hat with a lab certificate is a bit of an odd duck, but that’s the point.”

3. Sugar Sandwich Design Studio (Qualicum Beach)

If there’s one thing every parent knows, it’s that kids will outgrow clothing long before they ever wear it out. Ettie Catto, founder and designer of Sugar Sandwich Design Studio in Qualicum Beach, addresses this problem with her ingenious Grow Along Babywear onesies, rompers, pants, tops and dresses. All the pieces are intended to fit infants and children for as long as possible.

“My designs are made to address typical growth-spurt issues and include extra cuff length, extra room for diapers, wider necklines, non-pinching waistbands,” says Catto. “My Grow Along dresses are the most popular and will fit for two to three years.” When it comes to just plain fun, she points to her Twirly Circle Bell Pants, “with full-circle bell bottoms, made for dancing and twirling.”

Catto always puts a lot of thought into her materials: “I use only European fabrics with OEKO-Tex certification, meaning they have been tested and certified as free from harmful substances and meet strict safety standards.” She chooses “stretch cotton fabrics that are durable, colourful and cute, and will stand up to the wear and tear of small children.” These robust fabrics don’t fade, even after repeated washings. The longevity of the garments appeals to parents concerned about both the environment and their own wallets. “Designs are made to fit longer and remain in good condition, making them suitable for resale or passing on to others for extended life.”

As for the company’s sweet and playful name, Catto explains, “Sugar sandwiches were a treat from my childhood days, but also functional as a meal when resources were scarce. I chose the name to reflect the functional aspect of quality clothing and also the fun in colourful and cute designs.”

4. The Mossy Coast (Campbell River)

Sisters Rochelle and Michaela lived in Vancouver as children but moved to Vancouver Island as teens, and never left. Now the pair run The Mossy Coast out of Campbell River, where they make small batches of hand-stamped clothing using the local forests, beaches and wildlife as inspiration.

“Every design starts with something real from nature, like leaves, ferns, cedar, salmon or other textures, which we use to create original prints by hand onto the fabric,” the sisters write in an email. “No two pieces are the same, making every item feel a little more personal while connecting you to the outdoors.”

The company’s name comes from the sisters’ love of Vancouver Island. “Moss is everywhere here, covering trees, rocks and forest floors, and it’s one of the first things people notice when they explore Vancouver Island. We live in a wet green rainforest. We live on ‘the mossy coast.’” Given their love of the land, it’s no surprise the siblings are committed to sustainability. “We print in small batches to reduce waste, use water-based inks, choose plastic-free packaging and create designs that stop and make you think, and hopefully can encourage people to get outside and appreciate it, too.”

The duo’s most unusual creation is their Salmon Unisex Tee. “We use the traditional Japanese art of fish printing (Gyotaku) to create prints using real salmon, so every design captures the details of an actual fish,” the sisters explain. They start by painting a male pink salmon—caught in Campbell River during the seasonal run—then they press it onto the shirts by hand. “Sometimes we can even get the tongue or teeth to transfer.” Only 30 to 40 tees can be stamped before the salmon must be composted.

5. Wee Woollies (Victoria)

Wool is one of the most sustainable fabrics around: durable, biodegradable and naturally resistant to odours, stains and wrinkles. Plus, it’s endlessly renewable, since sheep grow new coats every year. All these factors make merino wool an excellent fabric choice for children’s clothes such as the cute and colourful tops, pants, bodysuits, sleepers, dresses and socks crafted by Wee Woollies.

Founder and creative director Cindy Finley says, “We make colourful, cozy merino essentials that kids love, for every adventure, everywhere.” The company’s top seller is the Merino Pyjamas/Base Layer Set, which cleverly doubles as both PJs and a thermal base layer.

Right from the beginning, Wee Woollies has focused on sustainability. “We source ethically from premium growers in New Zealand that guarantee ethical farming practices, sustainability and traceability back to the source. We do everything we can to reduce textile waste by saving and reusing all scraps, as well as promoting mending and preservation of our products with our innovative patch kits, so each loved woolly garment can be passed on,” she says. “We are proud of our partnership with 1% For the Planet, donating 1 percent of gross sales to environmental partners like Surf Rider Foundation to help with coastal cleanups and environmental efforts.”

But operating a company from outside British Columbia’s mainland isn’t always easy. Finley says, “Probably the most challenging part of running a business from Vancouver Island is commuting to our factory in Vancouver. It’s costly and time-consuming but worth it to live on this beautiful island we call home.”

6. Bough & Antler Northwest Goods (Campbell River)

Sarah and Scott Barrie make screen-printed apparel along with stickers and beer and cocktail glassware, all of which feature British Columbia’s spectacular natural environment.

In an email from the husband-and-wife team, their Bough & Antler pieces “are inspired by the natural bounty of the Pacific Northwest and celebrate the best of West Coast living.” The name of the company also pays homage to local flora and fauna: “The curves, tones and textures of a tree bough and deer antler are very harmonious. We like the balance that is struck between the two natural objects.”

The couple’s knowledge of sustainability practices has grown and evolved during the decade they’ve been in business. “We source our blank apparel from companies that have demonstrated a measurable commitment to the environment and employee wellbeing,” they write. “We also make a strong obligation ourselves to sourcing garments, stickers and glassware that are durable and meant to last. We have no interest in being a brand that makes products that are borderline disposable—if you buy a shirt from us, we want it to last years.” A fun example of their tops is the “Explore Van Isle” Unisex Tee, which features a prowling cougar above the words “Live the Wild Life.”

The couple have even found a fun way to finish off the dregs of old ink colours to prevent waste. “We dump them all into one bucket, see what colour it makes and create a shirt design around using it up.”

7. Anián (Victoria)

“Anián is the name of the fabled strait that was once thought to connect Europe to continental Asia for international trade. To us it represents how one idea or discovery could change the world as we know it,” says Paul Long, founder and CEO of Anián. “Maybe showcasing recycled textiles could change the clothing world.” The Victoria-based company has been committed to slow fashion from the very beginning, taking post-consumer textiles and transforming them into timeless, durable garments.

“We focus on recycled natural fibres with a heritage style and longevity in mind,” Long says. “Our recycled wool is what we are best known for. However, you would never know it was recycled by looking at it.” Indeed, pieces such as the Pecora Wool Hoodie are cozy-looking yet stylish—and crafted from recycled wool. For Long’s company, sustainability and business are inextricably intertwined. “Without one, you do not have the other. For us, every choice is made with nature and the spaces we love to visit in mind,” he says. “If it can be made with a lower impact on the natural world, why wouldn’t we explore that option?”

But there is one aspect of running a business from Vancouver Island that Long finds particularly challenging: “We spend a lot of time on BC Ferries.”

8. Ay Lelum The Good House of Design (Nanaimo)

It’s not every family that can make beautiful music, art and clothing designs together, but then the Goods are not your typical family.

The patriarch, the late Dr. William Good, was a Hereditary Chief from the Snuneymuxw First Nation as well as a master carver and storyteller. The matriarch, Sandra Moorhouse-Good, is a painter and clothing designer. Their daughters, Aunalee Boyd-Good and Sophia Seward-Good, launched Ay Lelum The Good House of Design together, and the clothing they create features traditional Coast Salish designs by their father and their brother, the late master carver W. Joel Good.

“We grew up in an art studio. We grew up working with our parents,” Boyd-Good recalls. Other family members are also involved in the business, especially as models when it’s time to walk the runway.

The company makes shirts, pants, dresses, ponchos and other garments—both runway couture and ready-wear—in sizes ranging from extra-small to 5XL, as well as accessories such as earrings and purses. Boyd-Good notes that their earrings are extremely popular. The gorgeous Mini Eye of Life Earrings feature an eagle design in the centre.

Sustainability is a priority for Ay Lelum, and some of the company’s environmentally conscious choices include “sourcing eco-friendly fabrics, manufacturing locally and making as many products in-house as we can,” Boyd-Good says. “There is another layer that pertains to being a multi-generational art legacy family and Indigenous business. This is in focusing on generational sustainability, in passing on the art forms, music, language and culture to the next generations.”

9. Smoking Lily (Victoria)

Smoking Lily has been producing comfy, whimsical clothing in Victoria for almost three decades. “One of the best parts of that is the loyal community we’ve built—customers (like me) who’ve grown up with the brand, who have pieces they’ve worn for a decade, who feel genuinely invested in us,” says owner and creative director Aimee Halfyard. “But that closeness comes with its own challenge, especially as a newer owner. People feel a real sense of ownership over what this brand is, and there’s often a reluctance to see it change, even in small ways.”

Her goal is clear: “The heart of Smoking Lily—the playful spirit, the local making, the care in every piece—isn’t going anywhere. But I also want the freedom to let it evolve naturally, the way any relationship does over 30 years.”

Several styles are eternally popular, including the Rotator Dress, the Simple Tee and the Wren Work Pants. “Our new Liberty Pants are quickly becoming a customer favourite,” says Halfyard. These trousers have extra-wide legs—giving them dramatic flair—along with an elastic waistband and side pockets, making them comfortable and practical as well.

One thing that will never change about Smoking Lily is a commitment to sustainability, which has been baked into the brand since day one. “We contribute to our local community by employing people here on the island, and we reduce our footprint by producing small runs based on what we know we can sell, rather than overproducing,” says Halfyard. “We avoid fast-fashion tactics and hard selling.” Care is taken during the production process to use as much of the fabric as possible, and leftovers are given to sewing store The Green Thimble, which works with Debrand to recycle it.

10. Salt (Victoria)

As the founder and lead strategist of Salt in Victoria, Jessica Wilson cares a lot about how each item of clothing fits. “Better fit means you actually wear the thing instead of it sitting in a drawer,” she says, noting that better-fitting garments are good for the environment. “Clothes that actually fit are clothes people keep wearing instead of tossing. That’s sustainability, too, just a quieter kind.”

For Wilson, sustainability factors into every decision. “It’s in the packaging we choose, how we ship and the fabrics we build every product on, cellulose-based instead of synthetic. We also keep our drops small and intentional rather than overproducing,” she says.

But sourcing eco-friendly materials from Vancouver Island can be challenging: “It’s not that sustainable fabric doesn’t exist—it’s finding small, values-aligned manufacturers willing to work at our scale. That kind of relationship is hard to build from a distance.”

All the comfy tops, pants, shorts, loungewear, underwear, socks and hats that Salt makes are durable pieces suitable for everyday wear. “Our fabrics are 97 percent plastic-free, cellulose-based, with a tiny bit of intentional stretch worked in for fit,” says Wilson.

The company’s top sellers are T-shirts, such as the V-neck Ula and the crew-neck Current. “That’s what we’re known for,” she says. “We just make the best basics on the planet, designed to actually fit bodies instead of some standard size that only works for a few people.”

11. Ecologyst (Victoria)

A commitment to sustainability is evident in every garment that Ecologyst produces, from the natural wool, cotton and linen fabrics right down to the buttons made from corozo, a durable and scratch-resistant alternative to plastic from the hard seeds of the tagua palm tree. Formerly known as Sitka, the company adopted a new name to emphasize an ecological focus.

“Ecologyst was born out of a desire to be more sustainable: shifting the company’s work to bring manufacturing home, eliminating plastics and petroleum from the product line, using natural materials and manufacturing in Canada,” says COO and general manager Katelynn Evertt. “Ecologyst created a model based on what people actually need, rather than what they want in the moment—making fewer, better items.”

Each article of clothing is built to last and designed to look good for many years, favouring classical styles over trends. But if an item loses a button or develops a loose hem, it can be mailed back for repairs.

“In the summer, our cotton and linen collections are outstanding, and in the winter, our wool pieces are super popular,” Evertt says. Standout pieces such as the Wool Field Overshirt are made to order, which reduces waste dramatically, while others, like the Cotton Deadstock Hoodie, are made from deadstock: fabric left over from previous production runs, which most companies throw away instead of using.

Anyone interested in learning about the entire process of creating apparel—from researching, designing and prototyping all the way through to manufacturing, selling and repairing—is invited to visit the company’s factory and store in downtown Victoria. “You can come into our location and watch the team actually make your clothing,” says Evertt.

12. Kindred Coast (Parksville)

Martin and Hannah Knor run Kindred Coast together out of Parksville, where they design and screen print tees, tanks, hoodies, ponchos and more. “Clothing for everyday adventures, from daycare drop-off to hikes in the mountains to everything in between,” is how Martin describes their creations.

“Our most popular design is our Treeline print, which connects tree roots to a heartbeat rhythm—like the heartbeat of the forest,” he says. “Trees are life. They circulate the air for us and help us breathe.” The Treeline print appears on garments such as the Unisex Eco Tee and the Relaxed Bamboo Tank.

Sustainability is hugely important to the couple. “We are always striving to be better and offer more sustainable options,” Martin says. “We have recently added a whole lineup of 100 percent organic cotton clothing, and also make items out of Tencel, hemp and recycled water bottles.” The company’s name is a nod to Martin and Hannah’s desire to connect with “like-minded people—kindred souls—who appreciate the outdoors, sustainability and comfy, everyday clothing.”

As is the case for most small businesses in Canada, customers’ desires regarding shipping can be challenging. “We offer free shipping for orders over $99, and then offer alternative expedited options for customers wanting to receive their items quickly,” Martin says. “Regardless, delivery will take longer because we ship from an island on the West Coast of Canada.”