Whether she’s wearing head-to-toe leather at the shows or cutoffs and Isabel Marant sneakers at Coachella, Kate Bosworth manages to look effortlessly adorable. Case in point: her appearance at the Burberry Fall 2012 in London on Monday. She was wearing nothing but the label (out of their Pre-Fall collection), but you wouldn’t even know it – Kate puts such a personal spin on the look. Besides, not many could get away with pairing a cutesy owl sweater with a sweet, floppy-bow belt and peplum.

What makes it? Along with the sleekness of the pencil skirt’s overall shape and simplicity of a sharp clutch and undone hair, it’s her suede Burberry booties. Equal parts dressed-up and casual, they make it all look utterly effortless.

If you’re like Kate and can’t wait until Pre-Fall 2012 hits stores (lucky her for getting first dibs!), opt for a suede bootie that has a light touch to take you into spring. With stiletto heels and open-toes, Gucci’s Daphne cutout bootie ($1,100) or Alexander Wang’s Noemi three-tab bootie ($570) will each ease you into a similar look.

These snake skin sandals are posh, pink and impressive with their unique cut and color. The covered wedge that wraps around the front is my favorite part of this saucy number. The pale pink pops combined with the snake print which all sits perfectly on a 5½” wedge. This is a perfect party shoe for the upcoming season and would look amazing with an Alice + Olivia one shoulder number for a birthday night out or maybe with a pair of No.21 trousers and a white Joie blouse for a fresh spring look. These shoes are definitely made for fun, so I wouldn’t try to wear them to a board meeting or an 8am meeting with the boss, but I would dress them up and down for a cute summery shoe that’s sure to catch some eyes.

Pick them up at Saks Fifth Avenue for $345.

Just launched in September, the B collection is already a bona fide huge hit. With shoes like this for $300, it’s like duh, of course it would be. This snakeskin pump (yes, it’s real, not stamped leather!) is pretty much the best deal on the planet. You get an expensive-looking shoe with true Brian Atwood style – no impostor required – for a fraction of the Atwood price.

That sharp, slender heel looks daunting, but it wouldn’t be much of an Atwood pump without some height. The platform is super-stacked, so relax. Your feet can stop barking at you now. Cool mint or natural taupe? There’s no wrong answer. I’m loving the icy mint for warm weather – it’s a color you won’t see all over the place – but if you want versatility there is nothing like neutral snake. It’s the perfect pairing for bright-brights. At Bergdorf Goodman for $300.

Pair with: Both colors will look equally successful with McQ Alexander McQueen’s tomato-orange pants. Cropped and quilted, there a great way to segue into spring. On Net-a-Porter for $1,245.

Weaving will be hot for spring. These shoes are a great way to sport the trend in a colorful fun way with bright braided raffia. These slip on sweeties will bring springtime into your life and are wearable to work and play. For a spring day out with friends I’d pair these with some Paige jeans and a bright top by Spendid for a cheery look. You could also pull these off at the office with a wrap dress like this one by Parker. These sunny little shoes are good for baby showers and lunch dates as well as work days and happy hours. Pick them up before the spring rush at Bergdorf Goodman for $595.

My favorite contemporary line is McQ (after the brand took back its license, that is). It has the same high level of cool edginess as McQueen – this season brings more fit-and-flare, zip-up dresses, simmering orange leather, and hot-pink pumps – but it’s younger and, of course, more accessible.

So I’m not surprised they’ve come out with a pair of flat sandals I can really stand behind – I actually want to wear them! These scantly strapped thongs nail a balance of minimalist-chic and rocker-tough. The delicately designed, yet so not demure hardware improves your street cred without going chunky, and royal-blue lining is a fabulous surprise. These are officially the best flats to dress down spring’s girly floral dresses. On Net-a-Porter for $460.

Pair with: Relax Proenza Schouler’s floral-print georgette sundress, with a fluttery skirt and strategic paneling, for daytime. The mini length makes it flats-appropriate. At Bergdorf Goodman for $1,025.

Looking for a summery wedge that’s fancy yet not too formal for any occasion? Check out the Balenciaga one-piece wedge. The black leather is smooth and chic making these dressy enough to wear to an evening event with a Tibi shift dress come springtime, yet the espadrille trim gives them a hint of casual wear making them also perfect for some J brand skinnies and a long sleeve top by Parker. These sleek day to night wedges are perfect for when the weather gets warmer because they are versatile, fun and easy to strap on and hit the road in. Plus they stand at 5 inches tall, and we all need a little boost every now and again.

Pick these up at Barney’s for $695.

The Fall 2012 shows presented us with a hardened take on glamour – very urban, a rough breed of polish. We especially saw a lot of robust and hearty straps on the runway, courtesy of shoes by Proenza Schouler, Rodarte, and Michael Kors, to name a few. But there’s no reason to wait another six months to hop on board. There’s a plethora chunky-strapped sandals already out there, so you can get a head start on this anti-dainty trend long before Fall’s runway shoes hit the streets.

1) Fendi Platform Ankle-Wrap Sandal: Colorblocking that would never even register – Fendi does it just right, using neutral tones and thick, sophisticated straps. A quirky front-platform panel of chestnut creates a stir. It’s all in the details.

At Bergdorf Goodman for $695.

2) Pierre Hardy Metal-Trimmed Neoprene and Leather Sandals: The heel may be slim, but Pierre’s energetic straps are anything but. Jolts of aqua-blue and pink make the wide straps extra-fun.
On Net-a-Porter for $795.

3) Burberry Buckled Leather Sandals: Who knew chunky, buckled straps would become Burberry’s signature shoe detailing? They have toughened up their preppy British image over the past few years, and these platform-meets-stiletto sandals possess timeless versatility.
On Net-a-Porter for $695.

4) Chloé Two-Tone Leather Sandals: It looks like Chloé is returning to their old, relaxed, and understated ways. These sandy spring sandals evoke sunny afternoons, whether you’re strolling foreign streets or taking a lunch meeting.
On Net-a-Porter for $640.

5) Rochas Platform Sandal: Transition seamlessly into spring with this moderate platform, equal parts sleek and beefy. The smooth cutout heel and classically positioned straps make these one of the most versatile pairs of the season.
At Barneys New York for $895.

Along with one of the best takes on East-meets-West we have seen in countless seasons, amid the influences of Samurai warriors and geisha girls gone fierce, Proenza Schouler toyed with the concept of “protection” for Fall 2012. What makes you feel more protected – and more tough and powerful – than a great pair of boots?

Their refined army of fighter girls, donning angular and oversized jackets, slouchy trousers, silk-embroidered dresses, and no-nonsense woven leather, had swagger to their runway stomp, and no doubt we have the selection of shoes to thank. The start was high and mighty: glossy riding boots with stitching around the soles and chunky, square heels. Strapped up ankle variations will look painfully cool with girlish miniskirts and ratty jeans shorts alike. But it was the high-heeled ankle boots, some with panels of woven leather in red, blue, or white and just a peek of open-toe, that catapulted the collection over the edge of desirability. Proenza Schouler left me gazing at the shoes with fall fantasies already firmly solidified in my mind.

For Fall 2012, Vera Wang composed her layers of light silk-chiffon dresses, raccoon fur, crystal armor, net lace, biker shorts, and wild peplums like intriguing pieces of architecture. The theme was also imbued through her use of the pattern of arched cathedrals, though so abstract it was hard to recognize right out of the gate.

The shoes: perhaps best of all and utterly architectural themselves. Their solidity brought it all together, countering the elaborateness of the ensembles, make it all seem easier and less complicated.

The solid plumpness of Vera’s wedge heels is irresistible – and the height that comes with them will surely be addictive. A bonus: comfort is ensured thanks to the generous sculpted from platform. Almond toes, split heels, and seamed panels, stitched in such a fashion they resembled graphic flower petals, will make them stand out in the sea of neutral black and camel booties and pumps come fall. And the sheer ribbed ankle-socks, scrunched just so? A charming finishing touch that makes for look I want to snatch right off the runway!

Legs bare and legs covered up to there. When it came to the shoes at Altuzarra’s Fall show, they were all or nothing, but whatever the proportion, the level of style was high and heavy. His inspiration: Corto Maltese, the sailor hero of a retro French comic book, who had exploits in Morocco and India and whose mother was a gypsy. All these elements combined for a collection brimming with exotic influences, from kutch banjara dresses to foreign military details to folk-artsy medallions and coins. The shoes proved to be just the right counterpart to this blend of naval structure and plentiful homespun details. Lightly lace-wrapped booties and sexy thigh-high silhouettes, leather enhanced with intriguing seams and loads of crocodile. Altuzarra even shows he is competent enough to have a sophisticated way with fringe, a detail I’m not usually the hugest fan of; his thigh-grazing boots had a cool “naughty toreador headed West” feel. Statement shoes you can actually wear (though the higher variations are for leggy, attention-grabbing types, for sure): no small feat, even for a young visionary.

This season, Marc Jacobs would like to take you on a pilgrimage deep into his wacky, wonderful world. We haven’t been there for a while – his latest collection heralds the return of the Marc I fell in love with back in the early nineties! Fresh from his run at Perry Ellis and when he was full of quirk and a gung-ho grunge attitude.

Buckled booties and loafers right off the Mayflower – that is, if the Mayflower were a party-time, glam-rock spaceship full of baubles, glitter, and flowers – sound like risky business. But Marc is a risk-taker, and for him, the gamble tends to pay off. Especially for Fall 2012.

I love his pilgrim shoes! Bejeweled buckles and blossoming appliqués put an even more glamorous spin on slick black leather, pink metallics, and luscious ostrich. On round, smooth heels, the square-toed style have just enough chunk and just enough streamlining – decadently balanced. And with kooky knit socks and skinny, cropped trousers? I’ll take it all! This just might be the way to ring in fall: with irreverence, wit, and eccentricity.

The boy has become a man – and now Alexander Wang’s girl has become a woman. With impeccable tailoring, mature restraint, and an interesting sense of sobriety, it is clear Wang has come a long way as of Fall 2012. Luckily, that doesn’t mean he has gotten boring.

Almost every bit of fabric was a magic trick on the eye, an illusion of sorts, like loads of lacquered tweed. As for the shoes: out with the creeper boots and chunky, fringed sandals. Knee-high boots, blends of patent and matte leather, are grown-up and angular. With cutouts at the top, they are like riding boots or city galoshes gone both wayward and sophisticated. His pointy, seamed, closed-heel, and brass hardware-accented riff on the Mary Jane (a style we’re seeing all up and down the runways this Fashion Week) still has his trademark funk, especially with layered tights underneath, but it’s all sleeker, meaner, sharper, and more elegant. If there was any doubt that Wang isn’t here for the long haul, cementing his name as one of top American lifestyle brands, then none remains now.

What kind of shoe does a glamorous woman where en route to a rendevous with her lover? A round yet angular suede pump, a revealing peep-toe ankle-strap sandal, or a pony-hair ankle boot…how about any and all of the above?! Being something of an ultimate woman herself, Diane von Furstenberg knows what women want to wear, shoes included.

The “rendevous” was the theme for her Fall 2012 show, and her lean, toss-on-and-go heels are just the thing to take you there. Pointed pumps in berry hues, spindly straps, and high-heels that start off broad and twist into rail-thin stilettos all have the kind of allure women can genuinely see themselves wearing, especially with the sultry ruched dresses, surrealist prints, and boxy coats shown in the collection. Younger girls will appreciate the booties, especially in inky black pony and see-through mesh, so every set is happily covered. Now that Diane has you all dressed up, let’s hope you just have someone to rush over to meet!

Sometimes, it can be so refreshing to see a flat shoe walk down a runway! Especially when it’s in metallic gold so liquid-like or exotic skin so luxe it’s utterly eye-catching. And especially when it’s done by Derek Lam. It was hard for me to take my eyes off the Fall 2012 clothes – white lambskin! lacquere florals! ecologique shearling ! – but the selection of shoes played the exact role they were supposed to: complement the outfits without totally stealing the show.

Derek has mastered the art of the day-to-night shoe. More casual girls (who perhaps have a glammed-up Patti Smith-kind of swagger) will appreciate a low ankle boot possessing enough sheen and sense of dress to tread into the evening. Curvy cutouts were made even sexier by a no-nonsense ankle-strap – the best of this bunch was a floral bouquet, set off by a bold, black cap-toe. A little flowery freshness might be just the way to kick off next fall with some spring in your step. Platform pumps, accented with oxford perforation, that will appeal to every age – they’ve got just the right balance of downtown and uptown. And so does Derek, proving once again he knows what city girls want – all of them.

I have three pairs of Tribute high-heeled sandals (I feel like every snob has at least one pair of these ceaseless shoes in her closet). I love the way they look, but I’ve always complained about the sharp stiletto heel – for such a comfortable shoe, the dagger-like stiletto sometimes seems too severe. A new version in a thicker wooden heel may just be the answer!

Yves Saint Laurent’s blonde wood is so neutral and pretty, and a dash of sporty striping on the bottom of the platform enhances the casual appeal. Contrasted with shiny, textured straps, this is the most playful take on the Tribute to date. This just cements the fact that the style is not going anywhere. With a look that’s as soft as sand, this pearly rendition is the shoe to wear with everything this summer! On Net-a-Porter for $1,095.

Pair with: I’ll welcome in the summer with a cheeky necklace in shimmering gold. Finn’s Pygmy Seahorse pendant, complete with diamond eyes and a curly tail, is cute way to pay tribute to the ocean. At Barneys New York for $995.

No doubt model Karolina Kurkova looked beautiful at the 2012 amfAR Gala in New York City the other day – her braided crown had just enough loose wisps to seem carefree and I’m appreciating the asymmetrical-hem dress as of late. But it looks like her billowing Vionnet tunic-dress, in a bold mullet style, was just an excuse to rock one pair of incredibly strappy sandals.
If Karolina happened to be attending a Grecian-themed ball, she would be right-on. But the head-to-toe goddess-look veers a little too off into costume territory for me. She could almost pose as an extra in the latest remake of “Cleopatra.” Still, she looks like she’s having fun with her look – and that’s all that matters, right?

You already know that Monika Chiang, already of an enviably formidable height herself, is a fan of high-heels. She sees height as something empowering, and the tall heel as a way to help a woman walk in and own a room. It’s no wonder her city-perfect Fall 2012 collection is all about long legs!

A mix of Monika’s staples, like skinny leather pants, gave way to new essentials, ideal for the wardrobe of any woman who might fancy herself an urban warrior. What to wear with fur military hats, wide-leg tweed trousers, and barely-there leather shorts? A high heel so unfussy that the heel itself is the centerpiece. Platformed Mary Janes and pointy-toed pumps might not be untouched territory, but it’s all about the personal touch, isn’t it? And Monika’s is strong. Aside from making you a good five to six inches taller, her stilettos have a simplistic sexiness few out there do these days. And there’s something to be said for that.

Stefano Pilati clearly has no fear of sea-sickness. It looks like Yves Saint Laurent has hit the high seas this season with seafaring designs as bold as a cannonball. Starfish and anchors have taken over their sandals and pumps, in the form of embroideries and printed patent wedges.

The motif is so blatant, so specific, they almost dare you to find interesting pairings, like juxtaposing prints. Actually, choosing a contrasting theme is probably the only way to go. Don’t stay keep the rest of your outfit in the Navy or you’ll end up looking like Popeye. Challenge accepted! I can’t wait to shake up my boat-wear with something unexpected. What would you wear these with?

Riviera Starfish-Print Canvas Wedge Sandals. On Net-a-Porter for $745

Riviera Embroidered Suede Wedge Sandals On Net-a-Porter for $795.

Suede Starfish Platform Wedges. On Net-a-Porter for $1,365.

Star-Print Tribtoo Pump. At Bergdorf Goodman for $895.

File these under: transitional shoes. Gucci has struck that rare note and delivered a sandal that looks equally appropriate in January as it does in June. And equally divine.

Wear these tri-toned platforms – the black suede grounds them for heavier wear, while pale aqua screams of the summer’s ocean – with opaque black tights as the last of the winter snow melts. Then deliberately clash the colors with bold and bright pink dress when the first sprig of spring appears. Watch them take on the persona of an entirely different shoe as you switch it up.

I just ordered them and they are my absolute favorite right now! I can’t wait to strut them into the next season. On Net-a-Porter for $895.

Pair with: These sandals would enjoy a night out with a perky coral clutch. Diane von Furstenberg’s Tonda watersnake box, in a tiny size for just the essentials, speaks to the shoes’ sense of disco fever. Available for pre-order at Neiman Marcus for $365 (expected to ship by April 9th).

After I just had a mini-love affair with funky-strappy sandals, Giuseppe Zanotti has reeled me back in with his old ways. His super-sexy old ways. This shoe is classic Giuseppe, from the slyly positioned straps to the high-arching angle of the sole to the heel, as tall as it is slender.

The buckles are a little equestrian (especially set on brown leather), but the overall effect is a lot S&M. All those straps say sensual bondage, unlike the other strap-heavy sandals as of late, which are all about quirk. These are for nights that could use some heating up and dresses that could use a one-two punch of sex appeal. They are not, however, for nights that involve a lot of meandering. Such high-vamp shoes aren’t the easiest to walk in, especially with that 4.5” heel and lack of platform. That pitch looks painful, but at least you won’t be sliding around – there are plenty of straps to hold it all together, for both the eye and your foot. At Bergdorf Goodman for $1,055.

Pair with: Deep chestnut and sturdy straps would look lovely softened up with Diego Dolcini’s delicious metallic and suede bag, in minty aqua-green. Diego Dolcini Metallic Leather and Suede Shoulder Bag, $878.