Ottawa has no shortage of style-conscious professionals, and menswear blogger Anmar Salman is becoming a go-to voice for the city's working men who want to look sharp without the noise.
Salman, whose content focuses on accessible yet elevated menswear, recently shared his take on the 'quiet luxury' trend, a fashion movement defined by muted tones, quality fabrics, and a deliberate absence of flashy logos. Think tailored trousers in camel or slate grey, merino wool sweaters, and clean leather loafers. It's the anti-streetwear, and it's showing up everywhere from Bay Street to the ByWard Market.
What Is Quiet Luxury, Exactly?
Quiet luxury is less about what you're wearing and more about how it fits and feels. The trend draws heavily from old-money aesthetics, understated, intentional, and built to last. For professional men navigating hybrid work schedules, it strikes a rare balance: polished enough for the office, relaxed enough for a coffee meeting or a Friday afternoon at home.
Key hallmarks include neutral colour palettes (navy, stone, charcoal, white), natural fibres like wool and cotton, minimal branding, and a focus on fit above all else.
Salman's Hybrid Fashion Formula
With many Ottawa professionals still splitting their time between home offices and downtown workplaces, Salman's advice is built around versatility. His core recommendation: invest in a few high-quality foundational pieces that transition effortlessly from a video call to an in-person presentation.
Some of his top picks for the hybrid professional:
- Tailored chinos in neutral tones, more polished than jeans, more comfortable than dress trousers
- A quality crewneck or quarter-zip in merino wool, camera-ready on top, cozy on the bottom
- Clean leather sneakers or loafers: the quiet luxury alternative to chunky athletic shoes
- A structured blazer that can dress up a simple outfit in under 60 seconds
The idea is to build a capsule wardrobe that removes the morning guesswork. When everything works together, getting dressed for a hybrid day becomes effortless.
Why Ottawa Men Are Paying Attention
Ottawa's professional culture has always leaned slightly more conservative than Toronto or Montreal, government workers, consultants, and tech professionals make up a significant chunk of the workforce. Quiet luxury fits that context naturally. It's not about being flashy; it's about looking like you have your life together.
For Ottawa men who've grown tired of the athleisure-everywhere pandemic look but aren't ready to go full suit-and-tie, this middle ground is genuinely appealing. Salman's content resonates because he speaks to that specific tension, wanting to look put-together without feeling overdressed for a Thursday Zoom call.
Where to Shop the Look in Ottawa
Locally, you'll find quiet luxury-adjacent pieces at spots like Harry Rosen in the Rideau Centre, Club Monaco, or smaller boutiques in Westboro and the Glebe. For budget-conscious shoppers, brands like Uniqlo and &Other Stories offer solid basics that fit the aesthetic without the luxury price tag.
Salman's broader message is one Ottawa's style scene can get behind: buy less, buy better, and let the clothes do the talking.
Source: Ottawa Business Journal. Follow Anmar Salman's menswear content for more hybrid fashion inspiration.
