Kick it up a notch with these 5 fall sneakers — all available at Canadian retailers

With its slight retro feel and playful pom poms, the Ezme sneaker merges a contemporary finish with an understated, timeless silhouette that looks just as good with denim as it does with tailoring. They are even made from vegan, PVC-free materials, including a foam footbed that is made from Call it Spring’s “B.E.D. Foam” technology, which uses 30 per cent recycled mattresses to create a comfortable, cushioned insole.

Call it Spring, callitspring.com | $56.99

Chances are, you’ve being seeing more streamlined takes on athletic shoes over the past few seasons. Often dubbed “sneakerinas” — a portmanteau of sneaker and ballerina, of course — they are much more feminine than the oversized dad shoes that preceded them, which is excellent if you were well and truly over that look. The Taekwondo Mei by Adidas, which features a leopard print pony hair-effect upper with magenta satin ribbon laces, put a distinctly statement-making, fashion-forward spin on the trend.

Simons, simons.ca | $130

The Salomon XT-6 has been an IYKYK gorpcore sneaker for a while now — kinda ugly, with an extremely sporty, bulbous look, but deemed cool once again. And while its star has faded slightly, its technicality, durability and comfort factor mean it still deserves a place in your everyday sneaker rotation. Best of all, their Gore-Tex construction makes them extra practical for our wet west coast weather and Canadian winter in general. The epitome of fashion meets function in a sneaker, if you will.