Montréal Style Is Just as Unique as its Skyline

I wrote this article to feature a few of the women and places that make Montréal a one-of-a-kind city. A big thank you to Tani and Carrie for sharing your clothing-confident style with Seeking Inspirato, and to Kay Milz Photo for capturing their radiant positivity.

I thought it appropriate to begin with a few words from Céline, a style icon and a native Canadian.

“It’s the moment you think you can't that you realize you can.”

- Céline Dion

Montréal + Seeking Inspirato

Since I visited Montréal in the summer of 2015, I’ve made it an annual pilgrimage. Each time I visit, I fall more in love.

This summer, I made the trek up to Montréal for the city’s annual Jazz Festival, which ranks as one of the largest jazz events in the world.

In between shows, I captured a taste of the city’s unique style for Daily Inspirato’s Seeking Inspirato series. 

Montréal’s style is part charming, part tempting, part edgy, and completely inviting—just like the city itself.

>>> Planning to visit Montréal? Here are a few of my favorite spots to eat, shop, and unwind.

Bored in Montréal? Impossible.

Montréal is an urban paradise. While many cities are becoming homogeneous, Montréal stands out as a unique destination. 

You can walk from one end of the city to the other in less than an hour (in good shoes), but you’ll want to stop along the way to shop at the unique boutiques and chat with Montréal’s friendly locals.

It may be a small city, but as you’ll quickly find that it’s jam-packed with inspiring flavor and fashion.

The Le Plateau-Mont-Royal neighborhood is my personal favorite. You can easily spend an entire day here, snapping photos in front of the street art and nomming on some of Montréal’s best grub.

• L'Avenue serves an a fantastic boozy brunch (*drools over pancakes*).

• Schwartz's Deli offers world-renowned (10k+ Google reviews) sandwiches that are worth the wait.

As you move closer to the Saint Lawrence River, you’ll find that while the neighborhoods are close in proximity, they capture very different shades from a family of Pantone colors.

The La Fontaine Park is a naturesque urban paradise, while the financial district is ritzy and all business. There’s unique architecture and an array of tasty restaurants scattered between the two areas, so if you have time, I suggest exploring them both.

Très Chic

Between neighborhoods, you’ll find several small parks where you can relax and enjoy one of Montréal’s world-famous bagels or a petite cafe.

While these may be great spots for people watching, take the opportunity to introduce yourself to some of the city’s friendly locals.

If you visit in the summer, you’ll find many Montréal residents sitting on their open-air porches (think New Orleans style) smoking, drinking coffee, and catching up with their neighbors.

I’m not sure whether it’s the connected community, the superb culinary experience or the buzz of French dialect, but there’s definitely a romantic quality of Montréal that electrifies the city.

In short, people enjoy each other.

Tani & Carrie

Speaking of Montreal’s fantastic residents, I met Carrie and Tani through Instagram before traveling up to Montréal. Both women have brillant personal styles and were a joy to spend time with.

Meet Tani

Meet Carrie

Tani and Carrie reminded me that personal style is sometimes about the elements no one else would consider, except for you. 

For example, Tani wore a lace number over her outfit. I would have never thought of that! 

Carrie, too, lets her personal style shine. She gave me major jewelry envy—the three earrings she wore on each ear completely matched her aesthetic. Not a single detail missed.

For more on what makes Tani and Carrie’s style so unique, be sure to check out their individual features.

Until next time, Montréal!