heels of spring

spring style guide: the heels

There are many people who deem my obsession with footwear to be irrelevant, useless, and a waste of money (like my mother), but the perfect shoe is the foundation of an incredible outfit. The right shoe will not only complete the look, but it will also make you feel better, stand taller and it will leave a hell of a print on the people you meet. Seriously - where would Cinderella be without her glass slipper?

With that in mind, I've taken the time, collected the research, done some comparing and contrasting and rounded up the hottest shoes for the hot weather. What I found was that this year, shoe stores have exploded with new styles of all heights, and it's been impossible to narrow down the list - so I broke it up into two posts. Today we'll cover summer heels, and tomorrow we'll talk about the flats. I've even included three choices (affordable, splurge, and fantasy) with each to help you get started on updating your footwear collection - go forth and shop, my friends!

the wedge
The proverbial summer staple, the wedge is summer you wear on your foot, especially when done in raffia, wood, tribal prints or bright colors. More comfortable than heels because of the added support throughout the whole foot, wedges are the perfect shoe for summer outings like shopping, museums, art galleries, brunch, and pretty much everything in between. They're your best bet for anything and everything not covered by the other shoes in your collection - they're the boots of your spring and summer footwear.

the buy | the splurge | the fantasy

Chinese Laundry Make My Day Natural Linen Wedges, via Lulus.com

the t-strap
For times when you need to amp up the sex appeal, a t-strap heel is your go to shoe. The best part about this design is that it works with any kind of heel - stiletto, chunky or wedge, as long as it has some height to it. The skinnier the heel, the more daring the look (obvs) but the chunky and wedge options are still sexy and great alternatives for those ladies who aren't exactly experts at walking on four inch nails (myself included - and trust me, no matter how sexy the shoe, falling off of it definitely ruins the effect!)

the buy | the splurge | the fantasy

Platform T-Strap Sandal, via Zara.com

the color block
Another shoe that works well with any sort of heel (I prefer the chunky or wedge varieties, myself), this shoe is the one to pair with your black dress/skinny jeans/skirt/pretty much anything to transition it from work day to night out. We all know that color blocking is a major thing this season, but for those of us who are a bit color shy, the color blocked sandal is the perfect way to work a bit of funky edge into one's look without going over the top trendy.

the buy | the splurge | the fantasy

Multicolor DeeDee Heels by Lovely People, via Threadsence.com

the nude pump
If you don't already own a nude pump (WTH woman?!), this is the season to invest in one. While black pumps are always stylish, her nude sister has the magical ability to slim and elongate one's legs - two very desirable traits in a shoe. The lighter color is more spring/summer friendly, and because it's a neutral, it allows the other pieces of your outfit to do the talking (which makes it the perfect shoe for loud, busy ensembles). This is the shoe to slip into when the rest of your ensemble is glitzy, sparkly, or otherwise brimming at the top with gorgeous, because of its ability to blend in and enhance.

the buy | the splurge | the fantasy

Lacey Nude Pumps via Maurice's // see the outfit post here

the chunky heel

Chunky heeled sandals are the perfect balance between the wedge and the stiletto, because "chunky" can mean so many different things. There's skinny chunky, thick chunky, low chunky, tall chunky, tapered chunky - you get the picture. Wooden and suede covered heels seem to be the most popular option for this type, though the styles from there are wide and varied. It can be combined with other trends, such as color blocking and skin toned shades, or kept classic in simple shapes and neutral colors; most can also go from work day to casual afternoon to night out, depending on the outfit and accessories up top. The variety and versatility of this heel makes it my favorite for the season - and let's not forget the comfort factor.

the buy | the splurge | the fantasy

Black Studded Sandals via Kork-Ease // see the outfit posts here & here
Neutral Color Block Heels via Charlotte Russe // see the outfit post here

the springtime boot

Because of the rising temps, boots can be tricky in the spring. While many of us are hesitant to relinquish our boots as winter flees, wearing them on a day that's warmer than 60 can be sweltering. Springtime boots are the perfect compromise; usually ankle or mid-chin height, spring boots/booties are most frequently somewhat cowgirl in nature, though some have laces, wedge heels, or cuffs. 

the buy | the splurge | the fantasy

Wrangler Suede Ankle Boots in taupe, via Threadsence.com

Note: Wellies, or rain boots, have also been having a moment, but can cause the same issues as regular boots later on towards summer, when warm storms are more common. In this instance, I would advise jelly flats.

in conclusion

If you live in Broke City (like me), you don't have the cash (or the closet space!) to drop on six new pairs of heels all at once (and we still haven't covered the flats!). Seriously, it's okay - don't panic! Personal style is all about doing more with less, getting creative and pushing those fashion boundaries. Invest in a few new pairs that you know you will wear all season, and forget the rest (or buy them on sale whenever you can find them). The most important thing is to buy what suits your personality and individual style, regardless of what the trends are. The suggestions I've listed above are great starting points, and I'd love to see what else you can find and what your spring/summer staple shoes are!

P.S. Don't forget to check back tomorrow night for the flats edition!

P.P.S. Have you entered my giveaway? Hurry - the deadline is April 16th @12:01am tonight!!!

And don't forget to vote for my entry into the Chictopia & Free People Spring Bloom Contest.

Love and hugs for votes!