Interesting, especially because I wrote the comment.

Americana to me isn't just the United States of America, so all those US flags, or east coast preppy style are not at all what I think of, nor those 1970's Pinterest images (um, ugh). It's the Americas of North and South America or New World, influenced more or less to a degree by the various indigenous and conquesting cultures and early frontiers that is Americana to my mind. Southwestern and western style are big elements of this.

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Canadiana: toques, furs, snowshoes, red and white, scarves, gloves, lumberjack plaids, and the Hudson's Bay blanket.

Canadian: Club Monaco, Joe Fresh, Soia and Kyo, Smythe.

Canadiana involves a certain amount of kitsch. Ironic...or not.

Occupying a place between Canadian and Canadiana, making Canadiana cool: Roots. Canada Goose.

I wonder if the confusion/overlap is also due to the fact that there's a wording difference I always notice: people in the US rarely refer to it as America, whereas people who live in other parts of the English speaking world almost always do. Of course we still call ourselves Americans, I suppose because USians isn't really a word, but at least in my circles it's always the US/USA when you're referring to the country as opposed to the continent(s).

Good Point Laura makes here... In Ireland everyone said America.... I am now saying that myself... funny the things that took...Glad to see that I wasn't totally off base when i said denim Jackets and Ralph Lauren.... The Native American influence don't at all resonate with my view of the term.. I think that is more south western....

rachylou - when I left off the 1970's in the search for just "Americana Fashion" I still saw a lot of the same basic thoughts - jeans, red, white and blue, Native American influence - but a more modern take on those. Oh, and no leisure suits.

WOW. Fascinating. I have learned A LOT.

Thank you all soooo much. I didn't think of Americana as deeply rooted in Native American Dress or Frontier Dress but of course, that makes complete sense. I was confusing American with Americana. And I think the retail industry does that too - especially around Independence Day.

Texstyle, those pinterest images are AMAZING. - Americana or not - VERY fun to be taken back to the '70s.

Laura, I'm not American, and refer to the US as America. I never say "in the US" or "The States". I will say "America", or "American". Interesting.

Suz, I learned extra from you too. And chuckled at your description of kitsch. I'll add that Aquatalia, Mackage, Rudsack and La Canadienne are more amazing Canadian brands. But the Canadians had me with Club Monaco. xo

Angie, in South Africa, how does the Dutch and English styles and those of the indigenous Africans influence each other and meld into a descriptive style?

Angie, so true, more great Canadian brands to love!

I should also have added Danier!!

It is funny....our best designs are distinctly urban (if cold-weather adaptable). But Canadiana is rustic to the core.

I looked up the Definition of Americana (I found many) but this is the one I think of:
objects, writings, stories, etc., from the U.S. that are considered to be typical of American traditions and history

So the confusion I think is how is that translated into clothing and today's current style.

Here's a fun article about how to do Americana Fashion right.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/.....13912.html

Great definitions, Suz! And, good point about Canadian fashion being urban, but Canadiana being rural, with a good dose of Québécois history and culture thrown in to the mix.

Can I add Smythe, John Fleuvog, and Pink Tartan (and Joe Fresh and Aritza for fast fashion) to the list of favorite Canadian designers, Angie?

Actually Canadian design, in my definition of the term, is a conglomeration of hundreds of small, local designers who mingle an international perspective (Asian, French, Italian, British, etc.) with a nod to the realities of the Canadian geography and climate.

Hearing the USA being referred to anything but "The States" sounds strange to my ears. "America" sounds like it should refer to both Canada and the US, because "the Americas" is usually used to refer to both North America and South America.

A great question. I always think of preppy as more British style when it has an equestrian vibe and more American when it has more of a Tommy Hilfiger vibe. I consider cowgirl/boho styles to be more Americana, such as Lucky Brand.

Claudia, that's an interesting question - and one I do not feel qualified to answer at this point.

Oh my word, Suz. How can we forget Danier. Good one.

Thanks, Sarah.

America does not just include the U.S. I think those of us who were born in the States need to keep this important point in mind.

I see Western, Southwestern, and Americana as distinct.

• Western is denim and cowboy boots, cowboy hats, elaborate belt buckles, plaid shirts with specific pocket detailing. Leather gear and pouches were key utilitarian elements. It has an Anglo influence. Denim was actually invented for miners, but quickly became a favorite among ranchers because when the easy gold was gone, many miners took to ranching. Denim repels pesky stickers which are all over the American West/Southwest.
• Southwestern does intersect with Western, but will have a decidedly Native American influence. Blankets, ponchos, turquoise. Ponchos are a South American native piece of clothing, you see pictures of the Incas wearing these from the first Spanish settlements or should I say, invasions. I do not know if the poncho actually travelled so far north as North America, but blankets were a trade currency and then worn as a garment by Southwestern Native Americans, I don't think Anglos ever thought to wear a blanket as clothing.
• Americana is more mid-Western. It relies on the colors red-white-and blue. Gingham comes to mind as well. Lots of cotton vs. woven/blanket influence of the American West. I would not put ponchos in the Americana category, but can see how they are seen that way as American designers mix all of these categories to create a brand statement.

Suz -- LOVE your Canidiana pieces! Yes, Roots as ironic Canadiana...

Denise, the Anglos most definitely thought to wear a blanket as clothing -- to whit, the iconic Hudson's Bay.

But, note -- they only thought to do it after watching the canny First Nations people and the French!

First photo, circa 1798.

Second, a replica of a coat commissioned by an Anglo officer in 1812.

I would love to have coat 3, from the '20s. Or the 2009 Smythe version.

WOW. Great visuals, Denise. Soooo you're saying that Southwestern and Western is different to Americana? That's a first on this thread I think.

Suz, another great history lesson.

Gaylene, I think we were typing at the same time. Great additional Canadian brands. Pink Tartan is another I particularly like. Thanks.

I would also not refer to Canada as America - of course, I know it makes up part North America. I refer to Canada, America and Mexico - just like that. To say "The States" sounds strange to me. Isn't that interesting? It must stem from being an outsider. Technically, "The States" is more correct, isn't it?

People from Central and South America are also Americans. We tend to forget that.

Bettycrocker, in college I had a history professor that was always correcting students and reminding them of that fact, and that Native Americans include ALL indigenous peoples of the Americas, not just those from the United States. I am sure that has influenced my thinking about what Americana is to my mind.

Interesting discussion. To me, Americana does have a connotation of being primarily associated with the United States. It's interesting, I say that I am American, but I am from the US, USA, United States, etc. For the record, I know a lot of Britons, and they all seem to refer to the US as the States. I suspect the reference to the States may be limited to English speaking countries.

I would break down style categories in the same way as Denise. Maybe the fact that I have lived in the Southwest, West and Midwest makes me more attuned to differences?

But thinking more broadly, Americana to me implies something that references cultural history in an overt or subtle way. If we're thinking in terms of cultural significance and not just nostalgia I think it is fair to assume that our definitions will vary based on our geographic locations and experiences.

I am so glad I am not alone in the naming conventions of USA. Maybe this goes back to my school days but, when I think 'America' I differentiate between North, Middle, and South America. I consider myself an American but also consider those living in Canada and Mexico as Americans because, well, we all live in America. I consider myself a Citizen of the United states of America. Such an interesting conversation.

I remember being in Europe and being asked where I was from. I'd always say California. Well, one day someone mentions how we folk from the States always say what state we're from, not our country. Truth is, our states are big like countries and we're federalists...

For some reason, that phrase for me conjures up the wholesome, outdoorsy looks of the 1950s: Claire McCardle, Bonnie Cashin, shirtwaist dresses, rolled up bluejeans with gingham blouses and charm bracelets, Keds, cardigans worn over the shoulders, Pendleton plaid jackets, Weejun penny loafers . . . you get the picture.

I would definitely include calico patterns, because to me the ultimate American textile item is the patchwork quilt. Maybe in a dress with a defined waist and a full skirt. There was a Ralph Lauren sewing pattern back in the '70s that looked just like that (managed to find it, below).

I don't say "the States," but I remember that term being used when I was a child living out of the country. I would say "the US."

this has been so interesting to me. When I hear the word Americana I don't think of a style, I just think of red, white and blue...

Sorry I missed this thread when you first posted this Angie! From a fashion historian's point of view, and from a Canadian's point of view, the word Americana has distinct connotations . As everyone has already said - I know, so why am I repeating? lol -the word Americana has always been attached to the traditional work wear origins of classic Amercian casual sportswear designers like Ralph Lauren. East Coast style is completely different to me - from a Canadian perspective. RL also does classic East Coast preppy and the classically elegant old-money "Newport" looks - but those ring different in how we are schooled in fashion history here in Canada.

Canadian style? as Suz said -it's also defined by historical and by geographical reference: Roots evoking the classic Muskokan cottage lifestyle (fine with me !) and Club Monaco representing the classic urban style of mixed historical influence. (not regional at all).

and for the record, most of us Canadians don't refer to the US as America - only when making fun of it

To me it is cowboy boots, western style, Native American, South Western. Pictures of wolves on t-shirts. Oops but just read the difference between all of these on Denise's post.