Shoes, Shoes and More Shoes!

!±8± Shoes, Shoes and More Shoes!

For the past few seasons we've seen a battle for dominance among divergent trends, namely post-grunge edgy rocker, urban prep, modernized romantic, bohemian free spirit and ghetto-fhab-ulous. They've all held pace but with Spring comes change and a desire for a softer look. I think people simply get tired of in-your-face fashion after a while, or maybe the designers stop and shake their heads at their own creations. Surprisingly metallics are still going strong but collections are promising a more subdued line of golds, pewter and bronze footwear. So, if you just bought the most embellished pair of pointy-toed slippers or sequined platforms, you might feel a little like the shiek of Dubai at an Eddie Brickell concert or Tina Turner (circa 1984) amongst Kelly Clarkson fans.

One recurring trend is the flat shoe and ballet slipper. I know a lot of women, myself included, who groaned at the thought of wearing flats. At just a little over 5 feet tall, I need all the help I can get. But fortunately the styles have come a long way--to the point even a die-hard stilleto wearer like me has added a couple pair of flats to my notoriously teetering shoe collection. I guess that's a good thing, since celebrity stylist Misa Hylton, who is gearing up to launch her own online boutique in Feb. '07, says they're here to stay for a little while longer.

"Women need a break from wearing those four-inch stiletto's!" she says. "Designers have also stepped their game up with the variety of designs offered in the flat shoe, making them interesting and allowing women to still feel sexy and not like the soccer mom." So not even the "I-never-wear-flats" woman could resist buying a few pair.

"From ballet slippers to dress shoes flats will be all over the pages in fashion magazines," says Frank Patryn, president of Top Industries, a licensee for Playboy Footwear.

If you're all about comfort, you'll love this season's flats, which have a markedly preppy and comfortable feel, like the Espadrille ballet flats from Banana Republic. Some of the more tailored flats are appropriate for the office, like Banana Republic's Bedford' o-ring driving moccasins.

White is the new black

You read correctly. If you don't believe me, take a look around. It seems a lot of fashion-forward gals are breaking the no-white-after-Labor- Day rule, sporting white coats, pants, skirts and accessories all through fall and winter. Go figure. While it's nice to have the freedom to wear white whenever you want, let's face it. It's not the easiest to keep clean--especially if you're dodging slushy snow puddles.

White accessories are an easier way to wear this trend. To minimize the appearance of dirt, try patterned pieces with textured detail like lace or ribbon. Crisp, clean whites in cloth ballet slippers, espadrilles and flats with tortoise upper treatments are also big sellers, according to Patryn. Just don't forget to coat them in fabric guard. White is showing up in all styles, however. Like these super cute white pumps by Ruthie Davis.

Bootie-licious

Transition your sleek, modern boots to spring and beyond. "The overly embellished boot has faded," Misa Hylton says. "I don't expect a come-back anytime soon. Sleeker, more modern boots are in."

Channel your inner Greek goddess

80s inspired styles are still clinging on, metamorphosis into more subtle variations, like the new Grecian sandal. The Linea Paolo Blaze Sandal would look great with a flowing skirt on a spring or summer day.

Wedged in

Wedge sandals are a welcome alternative to the spindly-heeled sandals of springs/summers past. These '70s-inspired heels are comfy and stable and at the same time totally stylish. The KORS by Michael Kors Kasbah Wooden Platform Wedge is a perfect example of the right combination of trend and function.

Science Meets Sexy

We've all felt the pinch of gorgeous heels that hurt like h-e double hockey sticks. Your calves may look sculpted and sexy but your toes look like they've been chewed up in a blender. Blisters, corns, callouses and back pain are just some of the ugly repercussions of wearing sky-high I'm-the-hottest-thing-since-Paris-Hilton sillettoes. Leave it to a group of scientists to create a solution for shoe addicts everywhere. Insolia offers shoe inserts that shift weight off of the ball of the foot back to the heel by placing the foot in the optimal position for high heels, so you can look forward to many more years of wearing high heels.

For on-the-go shoe emergencies, throw some Foot Petals in your purse, so you're always prepared. Through a virtually invisible cushion shaped like a flower petal, these life--or rather foot--savers prevent calluses from forming, and cushion the sensitive ball-of-foot area. Seriously ladies, you don't have to suffer to be beautiful.