An easy, everyday espadrille. I love the crossover design, it still exudes the espadrille casualness but is tidied up a bit for dressier looks. Sometimes a loose summer dress starts to get too sloppy if you have on regular espadrilles but with these on, everything pulls together for you to be cocktail and dinner ready, especially with that ankle strap which seems to always give a sense of formality – I mean, any shoe that requires you to sit down and buckle on demands more respect (vs like a pair of flip flops, you know?). Tory Burch shoes are so good now, I am glad she has gone beyond the ballet flats! At Saks Fifth Avenue for $350.

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Distorted Mary-Jane or convoluted boot. However you describe Miuccia Prada’s fall boot–shown with practically every look at her fall show Thursday–they are certainly statement making. For one, they cling to the calf, so this boot is not going to be for every woman. Secondly, their patchworked elements–the suede, snakeskin and glitter–can be a bit intense. Third, note the snub-nosed toe and the bulbous curve heel. Talk about a lot going on, no? It’ll be interesting to see how they are translated into stores come August, but no doubt there will be a customer for these. In black with python, the boots are actually quite chic and almost Mod like. What do you think? Shoe Snob or Shoe Slob?

Images by style.com

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Anyone who has watched the online video of the 2011 Chanel Haute Couture show may have noted that each and every look was shown with flats. Of course, these are not your average round-toed ballet flat–though they are made from the heavy satin of a dancer’s slipper. The toe box is pointed and the straps are clear, a look that enhances both the ethereal, fairy-world overtones of the clothing and their practical, tunic-over-jeans appeal. Are the shoes comfortable? Exquisitely so. Can they be purchased? They can, for around $5,000. The last will be hand-made to fit your foot (as long as you can make it to Paris for a fitting) by craftsmen at the legendary Massaro shoemaking house, which was acquired by Chanel in 2002 as part of Karl Lagerfeld’s mission to protect the near-extinct species of couture artisans.

Images by style.com

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With spring hopefully right around the corner (you never quite know given what Mother Nature has dealt us this year), make room for a fabulous new pair of espadrilles. Hermès’ Celeste shoes first caught my eye in the showroom a few months back. See the interwoven pieces that form the base of the espadrille? One would think they are the traditional mix of canvas, cotton and rope–but no, not at Hermès, where all that weaving is actually calfskin! Amazing, right? How else to justify its lofty price tag? This is sure to be the standout shoe at any garden party come Memorial Day. It’s got a great silhouette–not too chunky, not too sleek–along with a durable sole that’ll get you safely across the lawn in chase of that next mimosa!

$1,425, available at Hermès stores (1-800-441-4488 or www.hermes.com)

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Craving a total runway look? Progressive, boldly unconventional, and – despite a chunky resin heel that suggests sturdiness – these shoes are impractical for everyday. But, if you have somewhere to go, they are absolutely amazing, as they are a quintessential conversation piece. Just don’t wear it more than once a month! Fur is major right now, and this is the best incorporation of it I’ve seen in a shoe so far (this is natural boar hair, believe it or not). In addition to the furry ankle cuffs, the python-covered toe loops make them even more difficult to fit and wear. Consider that your cross to bear, it’s these quirky touches that make these shoes wildly unique. At Net-a-Porter for $850.

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Whether you think Gwyneth totally killed it at the Grammy’s or you think it was like watching your awkward friend pay her first visit to the club scene after she’s had tee many martoonies, you have to admit, her shoes were dynamite.

The Christian Louboutin (of course) Futura multi-colored stiletto booties from the spring 2011 collection are gorgeous. I can think of about one trillion outfits I would love to slip these on with. Anything from a black jumpsuit like Gwen rocked to a sexy strapless number would look amazing with these. I’d probably recommend wearing black or white to allow the shoes to do the popping, but there are many ways to make this brave little bootie work. They don’t seem to be on the website yet but they are on Net-a-Porter in brown for $1095, which would probably be easier to wear more often because it’s just a smidge less of a statement piece than the bright yellow & turquoise.

But if you’re like me and can’t stop thinking about dancing on a piano singing to Muppets while wearing the booties just like Gwen, than wait for the color.

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The raw leather and unfinished feel makes for the perfect summer sandal to go with the laid back feel of the season. I always start off the season fully in love with the freedom from the structure of my Fall wardrobe, and over the months my casual-ness goes from fresh to slovenly until I am ready for the structure of Fall again. That’s my circle of fashion life =) These Chloe sandals definitely fit in to the earlier part of my summer, with the ankle straps and well, the fact that it is a heel, because eventually I just end up wearing flip flops with no regard for the occasion. This is the perfect transition shoe that can go from summer shifts to maxi skirts to shorts. At Net-a-Porter for $645.

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I wonder if Christina Aguilera knows someone jacked her pumps. Wowsa. Something about these scream “real housewives” to me and not in a Bethenny Frankel way, more of an Atlanta/Beverly Hills “LOOK AT ME RIGHT NOW BEFORE I DO SOMETHING CRAZY” kind of way. Where there are no rules on clothing and glitter is acceptable before lunch.

I don’t know what it is about these but they rub me the wrong way. I enjoy mesh on a more casual pump but these are ultra sexed, and the mesh gives it a cheap feel. Maybe it’s the snake skin on red that setting me off or maybe it’s a combination mesh/red/snakeskin that just isn’t my thing. What do you guys think? Slob or snob?

$1095 @ Bergdorf Goodman

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This is an interesting textile for a summer fun wedge. But hey, I’ll roll with it because this shoe is that cute. These wedges are tall, soft and handsome and could be worn come daylight or for some moonlighting.

These shoes would be tough to keep clean being suede and such a light color. I know this first hand from a pair of adorable platform closed toe pumps I bought last year for my birthday. One night out visiting a friend in Baltimore and they looked like I had bought them for my 15th birthday, rather than my 25th. However, if you spray the heck out of them with leather spray and try to be somewhat careful when you are strutting around in shoes as delicate as this, you can sometimes make it work.

Aside from the maintenance, I would love to dance to some Lady G in these on a night out. Or maybe grab a beer on a Sunday and watch the game wearing these with some tailored shorts and a top that pops.

These would be great for many occasions, but whatever you do in them, do it carefully. $440 @ Elyse Walker

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I find myself constantly looking for shoes that not only catch my eye, but are different and unique, but still wearable on more than one occasion. I can’t tell you how many beautiful shoes I have in my closet that have been worn once, either because they are so fancy that I can’t figure out where to wear them next because every time I have a big event I end up getting different shoes anyway, or because they were for such a large occasion that they have been plastered all over Facebook and everyone feels like I wear them all the time because I am in so many photos with them (damn personal paparazzi).

The 3.1 Phillip Lim calder t-strap pump may just be the answer to my problem. This platformed- tuxedo looking shoe is the perfect blend of Breakfast at Tiffanys and modern day edge. I adore the snake embossed black & heel. This shoe spins classic upside-down resulting in a wearable, chic shoe with versatility. These would take you from the board room to the bedroom in style.

$850 @ NeimanMarcus

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Though these are suede and I don’t see myself getting a ton of wear out of them in the next season, there is still a good 2.5 months to rock these bad boys (or you could always save them for next year) and they are certainly worth waiting for.

The open-toe platform fire engine red, Jessica Rabbit-like shoes just ooze sexy. I feel like if I was walking in these I would hear a sultry sax solo playing in my head, in which case I would think I was super sexy and try to have a smoldering “come hither” look on my face, which always ends up looking like I’m either mad, or that I just wet my pants but I don’t think anyone’s noticed yet. Whatever you do to pump up the volume on your sex appeal, these will certainly help.

I would pair these with a long sleeved, silver number for a winter-y look, or a sleek black mini for an ultra bombshell night out.

Shopbop for $210

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As expected by now, Marchesa’s seasonal collaborations with Christian Louboutin are both breathtaking and, if not properly worn with care, backbreaking. Both always beautiful. Shredded fabrics and embellishments adorned much of the clothing, so for the shoes, the designers went ethereal–almost as if to camouflage the feet into the silhouettes of the dress. Spiked heels are di rigueur when it comes to a Marchesa Louboutin heel, so there was plenty of that (much to the chagrin of the models), but one had to appreciate their “sheer” simplicity and complexity all at once. The shoe shape is quite basic. Even the heel isn’t so groundbreaking anymore at this point. But make the body of the shoe sheer and toss in a lace ankle strap with ankle hose? Now that is genuine. Not to mention arduous to put on. A much more practical version came in the form of a suede stiletto that featured interweaving pieces of suede. Very chic

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Don’t let the name fool you, these are about as far from boots as you can get. The Alexander Wang Raven cutout textured leather boots are pretty much sandals with a vest on. They sit on a 3 inch heel and are super eye catching. These would add edge to any outfit. These saucy little guys would look great with some skinnies, a black tank and a gold cuff for an everyday look, and would also look good with some shorts and long sleeved top. These can help give a little life to an otherwise a humdrum outfit.

Though the little sandooties (sandal/booties) are a bit confusing, I think they are super wearable and would be a great summer look when you want to try something new and different… with holes in it.

Net-a-Porter for $525

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Kate and Laura Mulleavy took a dramatic turn with their fall collection and the shoes, created in collaboration with Nicholas Kirkwood, reflected that new aesthetic. The tough, tribal-looking footwear with Native American beadwork, though spectacular in design, was less appealing when not paired with the complementary Rodarte garments. I much more preferred the black leather cutout boots that were also shown on the runway. The more subtle look they project, particularly when paired with matching color hose, is modern, elegant and chic. While the silhouette of the beaded pairs look great, from the front they look clumsy and a bit cheap. If the beaded pair didn’t feature the cutouts, I’d say they’re an investment boot that’ll last for years to come–but I think the way they are now is too trendy.

Images by style.com

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I’m not supposed to want these shoes. I’m supposed to scoff at the white leather and say how impractical it is. I should comment on how silly the heel made of stark white is, I mean, eventually, you are going to step in something.

Though all signs point to a no-go… I LOVE these. Damn it! I know that the odds of these staying this beautiful are slim to none, but look at the pebbled leather, the contrast stitching in beige, the cork middle and the cuffed ankle (you had me at pebbled). The Pedro Garcia Piper White Toscana Heels are gorgeous. I may have to buy these just to stomp around indoors with.

“Sorry girls, can’t go out tonight, I have a date with my shoes, and The Bodyguard soundtrack. Thanks.”

$425 @ Ssense

Do you rock white shoes in summer? Take the poll!

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So I’ve finally been allowing myself to look at summer sandals lately (squeal!) and I have fallen in love with too many to keep track. A pair that definitely stands out above the crowd is the Giuseppe Zanotti Blue Stone Sandals. The turquoise just popped off the shoe and slapped me in the face with a handful of sunshine. It is such a cheerful pretty summer look that I want to order 100 pairs. At $995 a pop, however, I would be limited in funds for this quantity. That being said, it is important to always have back up sandals. I had my favorite pair break while visiting a friend in Boston and had to hobble on a broken sandal on cobblestone streets until I wandered into a shoe store and ended up buying a $200 pair of moon boots/flip flops. Lesson learned.

These would be perfect with a summer dress, a pair of jeans or even running around your pool (that is hopefully fenced in) naked. If you’ve started to scope out summer sandals like me, try these on for size!

$995 @ Elyse Walker

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While her fall collection was saturated in rich colors like magenta, saffron, vermillion and sand, the boots she created in collaboration with Christian Louboutin was punchy too. Cast in a few matching hues, they are cut high and column-like in elegant suede and leather berry tones. No stiletto heel, just one version of a boot that looked both practical and easy to wear. Frankly, while it’s a great boot, there’s nothing very special about it. I would’ve liked to have seen a bit more footwear considering how much the rest of her collection has developed.

Images via Style.com

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As is to be expected with anything Alexander Wang does, the shoes are unexpected and quirky tough. For fall there were two distinct shoe groups: one contained sexy stilettos affixed with generous fur trim a la boudoir heels, the other a drop dead covetable tasseled stacked heel loafer. The latter, done in metallic silver and rose gold, cut the sexiest silhouette when slipped on. The sides revealed just enough skin to seduce and create the illusion of nakedness. Never has a shoe with a tassel been so unpredictable! As for the former, while they may seem run of the mill from the front view, from the back they are a different story entirely. Each pair boasted what can only be described as “mud flaps” for the heel. Think of them as the mud guards you put on your car; they prevent the kick back of dirt and other unwanted precipitation from soiling the main body of the car. Luckily for you ladies, these flaps are detachable.

Images via Style.com

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Sex thy name is Nicholas Kirkwood. It’s incredible to see the mastery this young Brit has–and the shoes he designed in collaboration with Prabal Gurung for the latter’s fall show were remarkable in their toughness and refined spirit. I love the buckle detail of the leather straps that wrap around the heel itself to come up and across the top of the foot. Talk about a bondage moment! The slightly disproportioned boots also made for a stylish talking point; smooth calf leather pieced together like layers and secured with corset detail and a singular buckle. These are undeniably a tough shoe for a no-holds-bar girl. Wallflowers need not apply.

Images via Style.com

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An extension of his ready-to-wear collection inspiration that was the painstaking renovation of the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, Jason Wu’s shoes reflected that gilded, fanciful world–but via the most subtle of manners: the heel. The spiked heels of his fall shoes were each encased in golden sunburst-like patterns–no doubt homage to Louis XIV. The black pump is a seriously hot shoe; wear this to work and you’ll have the entire office buzzing. The ponyhair boot is also terribly chic; I love the rounded toe and the hidden platform heel. For those desiring something a bit less flashy, let’s opt for the simple gold metal heel. It’s a sexy evening shoe that may require a bit of balancing know-how, but it’s the least we can do right?

Images via Style.com

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