IT is time to put the spring back in your stride with some fashion forward footwear. Stepping out in a killer pair of shoes can do wonders for a woman's confidence – but you don't have to work the dizzy heights of five-inch heels a la Gwyneth Paltrow and those recent pap shots.
This season there's a shoe that's the perfect fit for each and every Cinderella. From gladiator flats to towering platforms, find your must-have shoe for the summer.
GLADIATOR GLAMOURGladiators are our summer foot fetish that j
ust won't go away. These are sandals perfect for toughening up this season's floaty bohemian trend. Go for funky flats for daytime or strappy gladiator heels for a glamorous evening look. Jazz up your ensembles by choosing exotic skins or bright colours.
"This look is bang on-trend," says Edinburgh stylist Laura Wilton. "They work best contrasted with the myriad of whimsically feminine dresses that are around, and add edginess to short ensembles. These are bold accessories made to be noticed."
Mogil yellow perspex gladiators from ASOS, Topshop Honour mint green gladiator sandals, Marks & Spencer pink gladiator sandals, Matalan cream gladiator heels, Boohoo.com tan gladiators, and Accessorize metallic gladiator sandals are some of the best around.
THONG THINGFor those who never put comfort above style, the versatile thong sandal is the trendier shoe sister of the flip-flop. Thong sandals look fab in super-bright shades for daytime but if you love flats for evening soirees, check out glam jewel-embellished or metallic versions.
Check out Next's purple thong sandals, J by Jasper Conran green thong sandals, Warehouse coloured thong sandals, Faith's Jower gem sandals, Dorothy Perkins gold toe-post sandals and Marks & Spencer Limited Collection pewter thong sandals.
WEDGE WALK"They have been a huge style statement spring and summer, both last year and this year," says Laura. "Comfortable, trendy and an instant leg-lengthener, they are a must-have for those with their finger on the fashion pulse."
Wedges are versatile too. They work with just about any item in the summer wardrobe, from flowing maxi dresses to bottom-skimming micro shorts. There's a plethora of styles out there to choose from, but get value for money with a wooden or raffia-based wedge heels to walk the summer trend for 2008.
Faith green Horris wooden wedges, Moda in Pelle Lorri red peep-toe wedges, Dorothy Perkins fuchsia leather T-bar wedges, French Connection black strappy Dosie wedges, Red Herring tan raffia wedges and Topshop Whisp off-white crossover wedges tick all the wedge boxes.
PLATFORM PARADEIf, like Victoria Beckham, flat shoes are pretty much against your religion then the platform is the summer heel for you. Anything goes as long as you pick a platform sole and chunky heel, so try on peep-toes, strappy numbers or Mary Janes. If your outfit is loud in colour or print, opt for neutral colours, and vice versa.
Office Naomi pink T-bars, Hobbs Lana blue bow platforms, Next colour block criss-cross platforms, Dune Lilly raffia and flower corsage platforms, River Island tan peep-toe platforms, and Dorothy Perkins nude square platforms, will have you giving Victoria a run for her money.
The full article contains 543 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
