This Season is a Shoe-In
I’ve got a confession to make. I’m not a shoe girl. I’d love to tell you I’ve got hundreds of stop-traffic pairs in my closet but I’d be lying. Truth be told, for any given season I’ve got about 10 pairs in rotation. Maybe it’s because I’m on my feet a lot and comfort is key. Or maybe it’s because my interest usually gravitates to other accessories. (Hello eyewear and jewelry – smile.) None-the-less, this is the season that may change all that. I’m happy to say that the shoe trends for the spring/summer season are actually – wait for it – wearable!
Think about it – heels that don’t hurt; easy-to-wear espadrilles and slingbacks that don’t squoosh. For those of us that refuse to sacrifice comfort for style, it’s time to go shopping! Whether your interest is in a snazzy little slide, a mirror-like metallic or a sassy, strappy sandal, you can’t help but be spoiled for choice this season. Bonus: there’s no easier way to spice up your warm weather, wardrobe staples than with a colorful new shoe – or two. So get ready to click your heels in delight and check out some of my favorite picks below. And for additional shoe-shopping inspiration, check out my curated collection for my additional picks.
This Season’s Blockbuster – Have you noticed that, as of late, your friends seem to be standing a little taller? You’re probably not imaging it because women everywhere are embracing the appeal of this season’s block heel. Because they’re chunkier, block heels offer more support to your ankles and lower back. (Think about having height without the hurt. #Heaven.) You’ll find block heels available in everything from pumps to slides to sandals so you can sport them for work or play. One of my favorite picks is this one which playfully pairs ikat & pom-poms. From J. Crew .
Slip-Sliding Away – It’s summertime and the living is easy. For most of us, schedules relax a bit and we’re in a “kick-back” kind of mood. Wardrobes become more casual and with their lack of straps and laces, slides seem to just jive with that relaxed vibe we all want to step into (pun intended). This season slides range from the silly to the serious, so pick a pair that has a similar level of formality to the situation in which you’ll most likely wear them. This pair gives a nod to feminine and floral, which means you can play up the girly quotient and team them up with a flowy, gauze dress. Alternatively, you can downplay the flirty factor by pairing them with your favorite denim jacket or jean. From Anthropologie.
The Pur-fect Pair – Ok, I never thought they’d come back into style either. But here they are…continuing to trend into the warmer weather months.. Based on an iconic style from the ’50s, kitten heels offer a bit of sophistication with a “just-right” (a.k.a. walkable) heel height. So you can count on a sleek shape, a bit of lift and whole lot of retro appeal. So go ahead and embrace your inner Audrey Hepburn as you give a nod to the ankle-wrap and tassel trend. From Zappos.
A Pump with Personality – So maybe your grandmother wore them. Or maybe the sheer mention of a “slingback” brings up bad, bridesmaid memories. But none-the-less, this season’s slingbacks have been seen on the feet of fashionistas and well-heeled women everywhere. Whether you go high or low, why not give your closed pumps a vacation and instead opt for this this seasonally-appropriate, warm-weather alternative. What’s great is that they’re one of the few trends that are “office-ready” – not to mention a real savior when a pedicure just wasn’t a part of last night’s plan. From Neiman Marcus.
Shine On – There’s no better time than now to step away from black and into summer’s favorite neutral – metallic. Whether you lean to gold or silver, there’s something for everyone. What’s more the shiny finish seems to infuse a touch of trend to some of our favorite steady eddies: loafers, ballerina flats, flip flops, sneakers and so on. Either for day or night, a bit of bling is in so why not let your style shine? Sure metallic shoes may capture the light, but you’ll capture the attention. From Nordstrom.
Just a note: Regardless of the shoes you sport, don’t forget to break in any new pair before wearing them out. And pack a few Band-aids…just in case.
Carol Davidson is a style strategist, life coach and fellow Tomato. She helps people better manage their lives, create fulfillment and develop a plan to love their look and their life. Her expertise has helped hundreds tackle their careers and personal lives with confidence and enthusiasm. To learn more about her wardrobe and life coaching services, please reach out to her at Carol@CarolDavidson.com. For more of her lifestyle tips and shopping picks, please visit Carol on FB: Carol Davidson Life Style Strategy and follow her on Twitter @CarolDavidson.
For over 15 years, Carol Davidson has helped women transform their appearance, wardrobe and self-esteem. Her style and life coaching advice has helped women tackle their careers and personal lives with confidence and enthusiasm.
Clients have told Carol they look better and feel better about how they look and the life they lead. They move forward with greater ease and confidently show up for matters most.
Carol is an educator at the Fashion Institute of Technology and has been quoted in countless media outlets including: businessweek.com, Forbes.com, ivillage.com, SmartMoney and Real Simple. While she calls NYC and South Florida “home,” her reach includes the Tri-State area and beyond. Her Skype consultations and easy-to-use, private, online closet, shopping and lookbook platform allow her to work with clients across the country and around the world.
For more of Carol’s style picks and lifestyle tips, please visit her at: CarolDavidson.com and like her on FB: CarolDavidsonLifeStyleStrategy. You can also find her on twitter @CarolDavidson.