By: Dre DeBattista
Spring 2026 Fashion Review
in the Exchange District
Every April as temperatures rise in Winnipeg and daylight stretches late into the evening, people start coming out of repose. As puddles, potholes, and migratory birds return — so does spring fashion.
Michelle Westman, a professional photographer based in the Exchange District, said she’s excited to pack away her bulky winter wear to make room in her closet for a variety of lighter and brighter spring styles.
Our weather lags behind seasonal climate trends, so Westman has already watched spring fashion appear on social media for several weeks. She has tweaked her fits this spring to reflect those styles she likes from accounts she follows online.
Students are opting for practicality on campus based on conversations and observations. Everyday comfort lugging laptops, books, and tools of their trade is their priority: structured black backpacks, and minimalist cross-body bags dominate the scene.
The bags accent simple hoodies, joggers, and tuques. But when the weekend rolls around, students get more adventurous.
There have been a few days where temperatures have spike above the frost line. The Exchange District began to come alive with a variety of knits, leather jackets, felted wool jackets, wind breakers, and the fabled Canadian tuxedo of denim on denim.
Clothing Bakery at 70 Arthur Street had an entire rack of denim jackets out for their First Friday event on April 3.
Jeans — mostly straight cut — hung from another rack nearby. Friends and couples browsed eclectic styles and yapped while a four-piece jazz band played instrumentals.
Powder blue and pink, camel, khaki, sky blue, brown, and a pop of red are trending. People are building fits with contrasting combinations of these colours.
Retro oval and oversized sunglasses are still popular with a trend towards round metal frames. People are clamouring over bolo ties, and silk scarves among other accessories according to Josh Alderson, owner of Vantage Vintage at the corner of McDermott Avenue and Albert Street.
“I brought in fifty bolo ties just over a week ago and there are only two left,” said Alderson. “I’m going to have to start selling some from my personal collection to keep the customers happy.”
Minimal sneakers like Adidas Sambas and Onitsuka Tigers are everywhere. Doc Martens remain among the most popular boots with Blundstones on a downward slide, but tall engineer boots, high-heel boots, and platform boots are making cheeky appearances in well-styled outfits.
Alderson said customers tend to buy oversized fits in his store lately. It’s not limited to wide-leg pants. People are buying oversized shirts, jackets and even dresses. It takes skill to put these oversized fits together though.
They need shaping.
Flowy draping layers bring outfits to the next level this season. Tanks over long sleeves, V-neck argyle vests over collared shirts; cowl necks, woven leather waist belts, pleated pants, shawls, bandanas: all give shape to outfits. These may sound hard to pull off, but try on some of these styles and you might be surprised to find your next fit for a night on the town.
