The après ski boot has one prime function. Yes, it has to keep your feet warm. If it is waterproof and ridge-soled that’s a bonus, given the snow you may have to negotiate as you prance blithely from chalet to restaurant. But its principal function is to give you thin thighs. Or the appearance of, anyway. The visual rule is simple: the larger the boot, the skinner the thigh. Is there any other piece of winter wear so flattering? We think not. And for that piece of magic we are prepared to flex the plastic.
Chanel après-ski boots
High-heeled, knee-length, faux-fur boots in grey, black or white? If the prospect of wearing these warms your heart rather than making you harrumph, "How ridiculous!", you are a true Chanel girl and deserve to have these boots given to you. Of course, you will clearly not be going anywhere you might have to pick wade through slush. And you will look fabulous. They have see-through Perspex heels, by the way. Perfecto. Costs £620 (Dh3,526), www.chanel.com.
Muks black suede and rabbit tie boots
The boots that our favourite fashion website is selling this winter are enough to make you start drinking hot chocolate and humming "Frosty the Snowman", even if you're going nowhere but the good old UAE for the next few months. Everything is selling out fast, too, so hurry. Lined in wool with bead detailing, they're so right with a pair of skinny jeans. Costs £254 (Dh1,445) plus £20 (Dh114) p&p (www.net-a-porter.com; 00 44 203 471 4510).
Minnetonka coffee suede knee-highs
The Gap has some cute knitted sock-boots that we should buy - they cost under US$25 (Dh92). But we just can't tear ourselves away from the Boot section of Net-a-Porter: those faint-making Gucci rabbit-lined knee-highs, and, of course, the basic and knitted Jimmy Choo Uggs - the most comfortable boots known to woman. But we simply love these fringed lace-up Minnetonka boots, and they're a bargain, too. Costs £105 (Dh598) plus £20 (Dh114) p&p (www.net-a-porter.com; 00 44 203 471 4510).