Shoes: not just foot protection

Lauren King

Read last week’s fashion review here.

It’s all about the shoes. Shoes are the most important part of any spring outfit.

Skirts, capris, shorts and gauchos were made for one reason and one reason only: to show off the shoes.

Luckily for the ladies, this spring’s shoes revolve around comfort as well as fashion. Wedge shoes are all the rage.

Wedge shoes provide a thicker heel, while giving adequate height. No more teeter-tottering on stilettos this spring! Franco Sarto makes the best comfortable wedge shoe while still managing to be extremely stylish.

Espadrilles are also a hot commodity on the shelves of all the top designers. This classic style shoe is always a popular choice.

As far as colors go, nautical is in. Navy blues, whites, and reds are the hottest trends for J Crew and many other designers.

Spring is seeing a lot of browns as well. From camel to mocha, some browns are harder to match than others. For example, most girls want a bag or purse to match their shoes. A cute darker brown purse is much easier to find than a good-looking camel- colored one.

Unfortunately for the more conservative person, more “provocative” type shoes are also hitting the fashion scene with full force.

Shoe brands like Fornarina and Via Spiga are making their shoes patent leather and shiny. They’re high, strappy and ready for the stripper pole. They do, however, spice up a plain evening outfit. Plus, they make the legs look great.

Toe cleavage is also an interesting new development in the shoe industry. Brands like Blay and Biviel are making a closed-toe shoe with a peep-hole in the middle or cut-outs on the sides and top.

This style shoe is a must-have for those days when the pedicure is not up to par.

Last but not least, the flip-flop: a classic, comfortable and wonderful creation. This spring, Bernardo made an amazing line of flip-flop sandals with leather cushioning on the sole, which makes it more comfortable and also erases the need to clean.

There won’t be any dirty footprints because the leather doesn’t absorb the dirt. They last forever and come in gorgeous colors including metallics (which are still cool!)

Whichever shoe you choose for the season, remember these simple tips to make your outfit shine: bright colors are always fun, height makes your legs look slimmer and above all, comfort is key.

Lauren King can be reached at [email protected].