Footwear Plus Shoesday Tuesdays: Editors’ Picks

While covering the latest round of trade shows, the editors of Footwear Plus couldn’t resist compiling a list of our own ‘must-haves.’ Here’s a peek at our personal Spring ’11 shopping list—proof that every consumer is indeed drawn to something different. —Angela Velasquez

Audrey Goodson, Associate Editor

Sanita’s Magda shoe combines all of my favorite Spring ’11 trends—it’s a clog-like sandal in a hot neutral hue, with a bit of heel. It’s sexy enough to wear on the weekend, but the adjustable strap and soft calf leather construction make it comfortable enough for my 20-minute walk to the subway station. Plus, I’ve always been a sucker for a well-fitting peep-toe.

The sheer volume of ballet flats of the market means I often have a hard time wading through the options to find a unique, comfortable shoe, but the Satu style by Kelsi Dagger in yellow suede looks like it might just do the trick. It’s bright and cheery—perfect for spring—while the copper stud detailing fits the season’s military trend.

Leslie Shiers, Managing Editor

Naturally, footwear is my accessory of choice, and the ornately laser-cut Farfalla bootie from Bernardo is as intricately designed as any piece of jewelry. The dusty neutral color will work some optical-illusion magic, giving my legs a few extra inches, and the openness screams summertime. I’m certain this is a pair that will have women on the street jealously ogling my feet, then stopping me to find out where I got them.

In line with my bootie addiction, I’m also pining after a pair of rugged, hiking-inspired Daniblack heels. The Carlito’s rubber sole makes them wearable while running around town, and the vibrant blue pattern is so tasty… This shoe is not the icing on the sartorial cake. It is the cake.

Angela Velasquez, Associate Editor

Despite all of the brand new designs on the show floors, I admit that I am still drawn to the classics and currently living in my black and white Bass Enfield saddle shoes. The style plays to fashion’s Rockabilly vibe, looks better as it ages and is the most generously cushioned shoe in my closet—and luckily, for me, is reinterpreted for Spring ’11 in softer colors. My favorite is gray and white—a perfect companion for spring’s pastel movement. I plan to swap out the cord laces for pretty ribbon or lace laces.

On a dressier note, this Pour La Victoire heel covers all the bases needed for warm nights out. Strappy? Check. High? Check. Metallic? Check. And for those consumers reluctant to get caught up in major seasonal trends—like the cut-outs designers seem obsessed with for Spring ’11—the shoe’s cheeky spiderweb upper puts an unexpected and dark (but fun) twist on the skin-revealing trend.