Canada’s least sexy city? That’s what a list of the worst-dressed cities in the world recently dubbed Ottawa.
Ouch. A bit harsh considering we place behind even Jersey Shore, New Jersey, a state notorious for its skin-bearing, tight, and sparkly get-ups, not to mention the fake orange tans and poofed hair.
MSN Travel’s list of the world’s worst-dressed cities calls Ottawa unsexy and “unremarkably respectable,” mostly due to the large number of drab government workers that call this city home.
Sure, the scene on Sparks Street at lunch hour doesn’t exactly paint Ottawa as a fashionable city. There aren’t many who dare stand out from the crowd of lacklustre suits and demure colour palette.
But the list’s creator clearly hasn’t taken a walk around the Glebe, Westboro, Centretown or the Byward Market. Yes, we have thousands of government workers, but we also have hip students, artists and devoted fashionistas crawling throughout the city.
The retail scene has been steadily growing, now giving Ottawans less reason to flock to Montreal to get their Urban Outfitters and Forever 21 fix. Trendy independent boutiques in the aforementioned neighbourhoods are one more reason to shop at home.
Many in Ottawa are working hard to make a name for us on the Canadian fashion scene. Ottawa Fashion Week has grown every year; its move to the larger venue of the National Gallery of Canada last year, for example, proved that Ottawans are hungry for a more stylish city. This year, designers are presenting their collections in the largest room at the new Ottawa Convention Centre.
And it’s not just local designers, such as Rachel Sin and Amber Watkins, showing their collections. Talents from Montreal, Toronto, London and Barcelona, among other cities, are part of Ottawa Fashion Week as well, revealing there is a market for high-end and international designers in this city. Upscale stores such as Michael Kors, BCBG and Holt Renfrew wouldn’t survive in a city that the rankings declare is “frozen in the 1980s.” Even Canadian designers are able to open stores in the biggest retail locations here. Most recently, Montreal’s Judith and Charles opened their chic, high-end shop in the Rideau Centre.
A shift in style is around the corner. Ottawa is a creative city full of galleries, live music, restaurants and vibrant nightlife. For a beautiful city with lots of culture, it’s time to stop being put on worst-dressed lists.
The resources are here and Ottawa has the potential to be just as stylish as any other world-class city.