Boot-y call: La Canadienne

In a country where winter can easily last five months, we do boots especially well. It's not just the snow, it's the slush. Your boots can cause either clammy, sodden misery or a rule-winter insouciance.

La Canadienne, the Montreal-based company, is on my hit list when I'm there next week. (I might break my no shopping before Paris vow, but Montreal is a French-speaking city, so it's practically the same, non?)

The price point is mid, the shoes, boots and bags excellent quality, with touches like all-leather linings and waterproofing- but what I love most is that they address micro-niches: footwear you just can't find.

For example: Here's a fall shoe called Gabriella, (top left) a spectator pump in an extremely hard to find combo: navy/taupe or brown/taupe suede. With a 73mm (2.8 inch) heel that looks eminently wearable, these could get me back into heels, a minor miracle.

Ever try to find a flat boot that doesn't look mannish and boring? Notice the sleek Gia's refined vamp and deep cuff (top, near left).

What about a boot that's fun, a jaunty cherry red? Here's the waterproof, chisel-toed Blanche, in crinkle (also in grey or black), so you won't look like a little kid, just a happy adult. A removable padded footbed adds extra warmth. like a zip-in liner in a coat.

And it's hard to find a really tall, flat-heeled boot that retains sophistication. Voila! The (waterproof, natch) Secret, with its convertible high cuff.

Finally, there are times (at least here) when you need a sturdy lace-up boot: visiting a friends' cabin, spending a weekend a country lodge or just helping your kid, who's moving yet again.

The Trista, available in raspberry (shown), olive, brown, coffee or charcoal suede, is a sport boot with attitude. I love it's retro 1940's Winter Olympics look.

Online dealers include Zappos, Nordstrom's and Ron White (who ships internationally). (Note: these fall models are not on all online retailers sites yet.)
The La Canadienne web site lists a directory of retailers in Canada and the US.