Rule #1: You can never have too many shoes. As our favorite HBO fashionista Carrie Bradshaw once said, “The fact is, sometimes it’s really hard to walk in a woman’s shoes. That’s why we need really special ones now and then to make the walk a little more fun.”
Although some of us won’t admit it, shoe shopping is a woman’s guilty pleasure. We work so hard to save up for the pair we want and there’s nothing like the feeling of putting them on for the first time. That exciting and happy feeling we can’t seem to shake once we find the right pair is unforgettable. Why not let that feeling last through one more season? Here is a guide to Spring 2012’s hottest shoe trends from sexy and flirty to comfortable and lovely
Although shoe producers typically use metallic for practical purposes, designers this season are bringing a whole new look to the material. They are taking a more trendy and glamorous approach. The metallic shoe has multiple shades in bronze, gold and silver. I would pair gold metallics with green, red and orange colors, along with soft colors such as beige and khaki. Blue and gray are a perfect match for silver, while brown pairs better with bronze or gold. White and black and sometimes pink can give you a little more room to play around with multiple shades.
Braided sandals are making a huge comeback this season. Big designers like Prada have incorporated this braided style into their spring 2012 collection. This is the perfect spring shoe because it is so versatile. You can find braids that criss-cross and come in a variety of colors. They also range into designs like the peep toe, rounded or pointed tops.
The platform heel is continuing on as a major trend this spring, and it shows no sign of leaving just yet. There are lots of fun fabrics to cover these monstrous heels that range from cork, lucite, canvas, denim and even lace. Yes, lace seems to be popping up all over the place this spring, and not just on clothes.
There’s no need to worry for those of you who love to make bold statements with bright shoes. Color blocking shoes are a total hit this season, and the bright hues we love will remain with us. I have found many of my favorite shoes this season to be wedges or platforms, with multiple colors like orange and pink, aqua and purple, and orange with green. If you have a basic style, these shoes will definitely glam you up.
If you’re not a fan of the bright colors, pastel colors have total rein this season, so you can’t go wrong with a lighter shoe. Like last season, nude is a top trend color, but 2012 brings a little more to the table with aqua, light yellow and pale green shades.
Rivets are also a huge trend this season from biker boots to high heel pumps. They are made large to draw attention or small so you can barely notice. Either way, find your style with rivets and own the look.
Last season we saw a little bit of the cold shoulder towards transparent shoes. They are getting more popular as the new season approaches. Designers this season included lots of vinyl style shoes in their collection
If you’re looking to spice up your look, throw on a pair of shining shoes. These are a must have to highlight your outfits this season. Gold and silver are easier to work with, but colorful shoes are more fun!
Now seeing as most of us college students can’t afford the expensive stuff, a woman has every right to shoes. You can find a great selection of wedges at Forever 21. I would also check out H&M, they are showing lots of platform and more of a metallic style shoe. Express is a little pricier, but they have lots of fun colors we love. And lastly don’t forget DSW.
Lauren DiCrecchio is a fifth-year student majoring in liberal studies with minors in journalism and Spanish. She can be reached at LD658004@wcupa.edu.