After wearing boots for 6 months straight, summer is the perfect time to finally have some fun with your footwear. Showing off your new pedi with a beyond bright pair of heels is a great way to rock the colour trend without having to commit to a full outfit. Have a neutral work outfit that needs some spice? Imagine a black pencil skirt or tan dress pants with a pair of red peep-toe pumps. Feeling even more daring? As I've said before, 2011 is the year to go all out with head-to-toe colour so don't be afraid to wear, say, a pink dress with a green belt and a pair of fun yellow heels. No matter which colour you choose, your feet will never want to go back to boring old black (until the Fall, that is - but let's not talk about that yet...)
There's a reason why it-girls everywhere are embracing the wedge trend this season: they're cute AND comfortable! Wedges give us the height we crave without the headache (make that footache?) of trying to look graceful while teetering on wobbly stilettos or getting our heels stuck in the grass (awkward!) A great pair of neutral wedges will magically lengthen your legs and have the added benefit of going with almost anything you wear, especially this season's 70s-inspired flared jeans or boho summer dresses. Look for wooden soles, colour-blocking details and intricate cut-outs to add interest to the neutral colour. The flatform (basically a flat platform - see the ALDO version above) might look like your great-grandma's shoes (no offense to great-grandmas everywhere) but is actually the hottest trend in footwear right now and was seen on almost every big runway show this season from Chanel to Prada to Michael Kors.
The closest you can get to going barefoot, a great pair of flats are essential for making it through the summer months in style. Think of these strappy sandals as pimped-out versions of the flip-flop - they're flat and comfy but unlike your favourite flops, are totally chic thanks to metal hardware, beaded details and foot-flattering straps. Wear them with a flowing maxi dress or a pair of skinny jeans - just avoid wearing flat sandals with flared or wide-leg pants since these styles call for a leg-lengthening heel. Want to jump outside of your fashion box this summer? Just because you like dresses doesn't mean you always have to wear heels. Next time you put on a little summer dress, throw on a pair of chic strappy gladiator flats - they'll add an instant bit of edge to an ultra-feminine outfit.
Originally posted in The CLOSET