This sneak peak at Spring Shoes for 2008 will help you put your best foot forward by giving you an advanced look at the top trends and hottest styles in women's shoes for the upcoming season.
Shoes in Bright Colors
Image: Zappos.com
You'll be seeing a lot of purple pumps, pink platforms and melon mary janes -- in fact, every color of the rainbow is well represented in this Spring's selection of footwear. But there is a special emphasis on hot and citrus colors like oranges, limes, yellows and pinks. This is great news for those of us who die a little bit inside every time the fashion powers-that-be decide that beige is the new black.
Check out the season's hottest styles in: Pictured: Via Spiga "Jade" (Buy Direct)
Check out the season's hottest styles in: Pictured: Via Spiga "Jade" (Buy Direct)
Print Shoes
Image: Shoes.com
From floral patterns to retro graphic prints, prints are experiencing a bit of a comeback this season, and there are enough out there that I'm calling it a mini-trend.
I love print shoes because they're such an easy way to inject a bit of personality into an otherwise basic outfit -- and they're great for pulling together multiple colors. The key to pulling them off is in keeping the rest of your outfit relatively simple.Pictured: Hale Bob "Dusty" (Buy Direct)
I love print shoes because they're such an easy way to inject a bit of personality into an otherwise basic outfit -- and they're great for pulling together multiple colors. The key to pulling them off is in keeping the rest of your outfit relatively simple.Pictured: Hale Bob "Dusty" (Buy Direct)
Color Block Shoes
Image: Nordstrom.com
Another huge trend for Spring 2008 is Color Block shoes (or shoes with "color blocking") -- which is basically a 50 cent term for shoes that combine big, bold areas of contrasting colors. It's a great look, and one I'm really fond of. And it works so well with mod styles, bright colors and shiny finishes, it's the perfect time for its comeback.Pictured: Naughty Monkey "Colorful Talk" (Buy Direct)
Patent Leather Shoes
Image: Shoes.com
Happily, we're not done with patent leather yet, especially since I can't wait to see all of this season's bright colors coated with shiny varnish. All I can say to my fellow patent lovers is to enjoy these glistening gems while you can, because as hard as it is to believe, shiny shoes aren't always so popular.
Pictured: Franco Sarto "Lock" (Buy Direct)
Metallic Shoes
Image: Zappos.com
Metallic shoes are in again. Not that they were ever really "out" exactly. It's just a matter of which department you'll find them in. When they're really "in" you'll find metallic flats, casuals, boots, even metallic sneakers. When metallics aren't quite as hot, you'll find them mostly in the evening shoe department.
Well, this spring, you can have just about any kind of shoe you desire with a metallic finish. Especially if you desire it in gold, and especially, especially if you desire it in silver. Shimmer on. Pictured: Oh Deer! "Jamocha" (Buy Direct)
Well, this spring, you can have just about any kind of shoe you desire with a metallic finish. Especially if you desire it in gold, and especially, especially if you desire it in silver. Shimmer on. Pictured: Oh Deer! "Jamocha" (Buy Direct)
Shoes with Cut-Out Uppers
Image: ShoeBuy.com
Holy Shoes, shoes with holes in them are hot! Laser cut, punched, mesh and perforated uppers can be found on everything from sporty shoes to pretty pumps, and with designs ranging from dainty floral patterns to designs that look nearly industrial. While this trend isn't quite as omnipresent as some of the others on the list yet, it is one of the more innovative -- and some of my favorite styles thus far this season, have fallen into this category.
Pictured: BCBGirls "Millar" (Buy Direct)
Pictured: BCBGirls "Millar" (Buy Direct)
Sling-Back Shoes
Image: Zappos.com
Sling-back shoes are among my favorite styles, so I'm happy to report that they'll be hitting the streets and our feet with a vengeance this Spring.
One of the reasons I like sling-backs so much is because I find them less-confining than regular pumps. And while back straps are usually found on shoes with higher heels, this season, they can even be found on flats and lower heeled styles.Pictured: Nine West "Luxious" (Buy Direct)
One of the reasons I like sling-backs so much is because I find them less-confining than regular pumps. And while back straps are usually found on shoes with higher heels, this season, they can even be found on flats and lower heeled styles.Pictured: Nine West "Luxious" (Buy Direct)
Platform Shoes
Image provided by Shoes.com
While we may not be quite as platform-crazed as we were last Spring and Summer, make no mistake, platform shoes are still a popular choice for Spring 2008. But if you want to stay on the cutting-edge of this wave, try looking for styles that pair one of this season's other hot trends, like bright colors or cut-out uppers, with their thick soles.Pictured: Steve Madden "Contour" (Buy Direct)
Wedge Shoes
Image: Endless.com
Wow, wedge heels were gone for all of what, like a year? But lo and behold, they're on their way back. While wedge shoes aren't exactly a "craze" again yet, there is definitely enough of them on the shelves to call them a mini-trend. The good news is, this is a style that's easy to wear, and one that works especially well with warm weather shoes like espadrilles and sandals.Pictured: Franco Sarto "Eagle" (Buy Direct)
