Hot Summer Sandal Trends

Summer has started and along with the sun comes warmer weather letting us send our winter wardrobe packing to make way for this season's best in fashion. What better to compliment summery dresses, skirts, capris and shorts than a sassy pair of sandals that leave our feet feeling and looking cool?

Our options for fabulous summer footwear this season is seemingly endless with a variety of colors, styles and price points that will satisfy the most frugal as well as the most extravagant of us. From sparkly gem encrusted flip flops for under $10 at stores like Target and Wal-Mart to Chanel's $500 orange lambskin number, there is something out there for every girl!

This season Pierre Hardy has designed a line of sandals for the Gap that every bit as high fashion as they are comfortable and classic. In leather with pastel accents these thong sandals go well with everything from a tank and jeans to a summer dress and and at under $80 are a good way to look couture without paying haute prices. For just a little over $80 at J.Crew you can walk away with a pair of their buttery patent leather T-strap sandals that come in a variety of shades including show stopping fluorescents.

Simple, thin strapped, black flip flops from Havaianas and Reef are perfect for wearing to the beach and then out for some drinks. Classic, flip flops with thin straps look great with a bikini and are still feminine and classic enough to wear with a cute ensemble for an evening out. Along with being no hassle and always in style the black flip flop sandal is also comfortable and a pretty inexpensive option.

Gladiator sandals are destined to become a huge hit this summer with everyone from Nine West to Kenneth Cole coming up with their own takes on the ancient Roman style. These sandals look best paired with longer pants and skirts since they do tend to shorten the legs.

Color is definitely a must when shopping for sandals this season. Along with classic blacks and tans, adding an eye popping red, yellow or orange to your sandal collection is a great way to liven up any outfit. Fluorescent shades may look too daring at first glance, but when paired with a simple skirt and blouse or capris and tank top they add instant style to an otherwise ordinary ensemble. Reds and oranges are almost the new neutral since they look great with practically any color you may be wearing from white to denim, black to gray, and floral to khaki, these russet hues add a dash of fab to whatever you choose to wear.

Reptile skins, metallics as well as other non conventional colors are also making a huge splash in this summer's sandal pool. The Frye Company has a delicious pair of faux snake sandals with miniature bead work that while understated still look completely fashion forward and European. Nordstrom's carries a gorgeous pair of Think! sandals with metallic medallions made from organically tanned leather that adds pizzaz to even the drabbest of outfits and Bergdorf's carries a perfectly pretty yet perfectly unconventional periwinkle blue sandal by Car Shoe that is sure to make anyone's toes look great.

The thing to remember once you've gone out and grabbed a pair, or two, or three, of this summer's hottest summer footwear is to be sure that your feet look sandal worthy. If a salon pedicure isn't readily available, a few simple steps at home will leave your feet ready to be revealed. Walgreen's carries the PedEgg which does wonders for removing callouses, and using a deep moisturizer like Eucerin or even petroleum jelly on your feet at night will leave your feet feeling soft and supple by morning. Soft pinks and neutrals are perfect nail polish shades for your toes since they look softer and more feminine than darker shades (and also don't chip as obviously!), and keeping your toenails filed and even makes for attractive toes worthy of gorgeous sandals.

So, don't hesitate to get out there and do some sandal shopping! Your feet are tired of being enclosed in boots all winter and they deserve a little freedom!