FRENCH ELAN

With a casual upsweep of the hair, the toss of a scarf and an uncanny sense of when less is more, French femmes rule the fashion world. And for the winter-weary rest of us ready to shed those layers of fleece, a visit to Montreal is just what the doctor ordered for an injection of Euro-inspired flair.

Montreal is Canada's fashion capital, not to mention one of the most stylish cities on the North American continent. Oui, French élan is intangible, but it's everywhere you look among the…