HOW TO BEST WEAR SPRING’S SHOES

According to a survey conducted by Kelton Research of “nationally representative Americans 18 and over,” the average person owns 11 pairs of shoes. If this is true, I don’t want any “average Americans” to look in my closet or I fear they will dub me the next Imelda Marcos and string me up by my red-pedicured toes. At present, I own 83 different pairs of shoes, not counting my running shoes or CrossFit shoes (two pair).

I have shoes for summer and shoes for winter. I have “walking about” shoes and “looking pretty” shoes. I have sky-high wedges and delicate flats. I have ankle boots and knee-high boots. My closet floor is awash in smooth leather, patent leather, soft suede, satin, velvet and cotton –and heels of every shape and height. I wear almost all of these shoes, admittedly though, some more than others.

Now that it’s honestly warm enough every day for purely summer fashion, I find myself wondering (again) how best to combine my footwear with this spring’s dresses, skirts, capris and denim. Can one really wear peep-toe ankle booties with bare legs and capris? Does a maxi dress always call for flat sandals? I considered these and other questions as I scanned the latest crop of catalogs and fashion magazines. This is what I have determined:

Peep-toe ankle booties go with everything, especially in nude. Of course, this means I need to acquire a pair of peep-toe ankle booties, like this gorgeous pair from Mark & James, available at DSW. I believe this perforated pair from Loft would be equally versatile, as would be this suede variety. Stylists are combining booties like these with above-the-knee dresses as well as capris and skinny jeans.

Platform wedges also go with everything, and you don’t have to hem your pants. I would admit bias here (at 5’4”, I adore platform wedges because I don’t have to take my denim to the tailor), but I don’t have to. Platform wedges are everywhere this spring. As always, nude is an excellent choice if you want to maximize their leg-lengthening appeal, as in this espadrille sandal wedge from Michael Antonio, available at Piperlime. However, don’t limit yourself to neutrals. Stylists are combining boldly colored wedges with spring’s dresses, skirts, capris and denim (both skinny and otherwise).

Choose ballet flats to evoke an Audrey Hepburn-esque vibe. This type of shoe is just as cute as it is comfortable, and you will find them in virtually every color, pattern and fabric under the sun. Embellished ballet flats, with bows and buckles, are also available. I absolutely adore JCrew’s selection this spring. Their stylists are pairing these delectable flats with shorts and cropped skinnies. I like to wear mine peeking out beneath a pair of perfectly tailored denim trousers as well.

Maxi dresses call for flat sandals. As mentioned earlier, I’m short. But for those of you who are not vertically challenged, the maxi dress is again a hot trend for spring. Pair yours with flat metallic sandals like these from Joie, available at DSW, or go all out with metallic leather and embellishment in a pair like these from Unisa, also available at DSW.

Do you have any tips for pairing the best of spring’s footwear with your Tucson nightlife attire? If so, share them in the comments.