Try Something Different
When summer rolls around, it can be easy to fall in a rut of wearing the same basic flip flop day in and day out. But what fun is that? This summer, it’s time to throw some style and variety into the mix, with everything from chic wedges and pointy-toed flats to nude pumps and strappy heels, like actress Ginnifer Goodwin's (pictured).
Strappy and Sexy
Thanks to slimmer jeans and shorter dresses, strappy heels are a natural fit for the warmer months, says Sue Ryder, stylist for Teaneck, N.J.-based shoe brand Aetrex. Whether they’re in a neutral shade or something a little more dramatic—like the metallic pair actress Anne Hathaway wears at an event in New York—a strappy or caged heel can add a bit of sex appeal to basic skinny jeans or a simple skirt.
Barely There
When you’re ready to show a little skin this summer, shorts and sundresses aren’t the only way to do it. Ankle-strap flats or heels, like the pair actress Victoria Justice shows off here at an event in Carson, Calif., are a fashionable option, too. These shoes feature just two straps—one around the ankle and one across the toes—leaving the rest of the foot naked, Ryder says.
Cut It Out
Another easy way to bare some summer skin is with a pair of cut-out sandals or heels, like the pair actress Marion Cotillard wears at the Critics' Choice Movie Awards in Santa Monica, Calif. Inspired by the slender-leg jeans that are on-trend at the moment, this silhouette offers a bit of lightness to a look, Ryder says.
Wedge of Glory
Perfect with a maxi dress or casual pair of jeans, wedges in a neutral color—like the ones seen here on designer Victoria Bolton at a fashion show in Sydney—are a comfy style that comes in handy during the summer. “It’s a great shoe to have for some of the ankle-length pants that are really big this season so you get a little height added,” says Lee Heyward, Charleston, S.C.-based style expert.
In the Nude
For a go-to shoe you can thrown on with any summer outfit, Heyward says a nude pump—like the pair actress Leslie Mann wears here at a movie premiere in Universal City, Calif.—never fails. “The trick to the nude shoe is matching your skin tone so you get a lengthening effect by having a shoe that’s a similar color to your leg,” she adds.
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Flat-Out Style
Though heels are a sexy summer staple, they’re not appropriate for every occasion. That’s where a cute flat comes in, and Heyward says peep-toe and pointy-toe versions—like the ones TV personality Alexa Chung wears at an event in New York—are comfy, versatile and feminine. Throw on a pair with a sundress or shorts or try them with rolled-up jeans and a tank.
Laid-Back But Dressed Up
Sure, flip flops shouldn’t be your everyday shoe this summer, but there is a place and time for a version that’s a little dressier. Whether they’re flat or have a bit of a wedge, Heyward says embellished sandals—like the version TV personality Olivia Palermo wears here at an event in Madrid—are a shoe “you can wear a casual dress with on Saturday, but it has a little bit of style to it.”
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A Splash of Color
No matter how you do it, incorporating color into your shoe lineup is a must during the warmer months, Heyward says. “You might not feel comfortable in a hot pink pant, but a hot pink shoe is much easier to pull off.” Go for a summery color like coral or yellow and pair it with a basic or patterned dress, like actress Elena Ballesteros does here at an event in Madrid.
