Summer Sandal Trends

Summer is fast approaching, and with it comes the need to free our toes from the closed confines of our winter boots and sneakers. After getting your little metatarsals pampered, painted, and fully prepared for exposure to the warm summer breezes and sunrays, be sure to invest in a few pairs of quality summer sandals for this coming season. Available from a variety of designers and retailers (including but not limited to Famous Footwear, Payless, Kohls, Target, and Ross), these summer fashion trends will work well with everything from breezy summer dresses to comfy shorts and t-shirts.

1. Wedged/heeled sandals: Fun, chunky, heeled sandals are the perfect combination of high heels and air-fresh sandals. Additionally, these chunkily-heeled s sandals range in style from daintily feminine (with flowers gracing the straps) to more "practical" and down-to-earth (with thick rope-style straps) to pseudo-Roman styles (with high-lacing twisted ankle straps). Libby Edelman offers her own fun take on these wedged sandals with her "Women's Page, Super Natural" design that features an intricately strapped sandal with a zip-up heel closure in the back of the shoe. Madden Girl also offers an intense strap design on their "Women's Korrral, Coral Pu" sandal design; while this design does not have a chunky, wedged-style heel like the other ones discussed, it still has its own high-heeled sole.

2. Flat, center-strapped sandals: Perhaps the opposite of the afore mentioned design, these sandals are a continuation of a lovely fashion trend that first started rolling through the last summer season. Usually featuring a series of flower blossoms, ruffles, or other fabric designs in the sole thin, center strap of the shoe, these eloquent little sandals are versatile enough to pair with a variety of outfits. (Use them to dress up a more casual outfit or add them to a nicer outfit to keep it classy and elegant.) Additionally, their lack of heel makes these sandals the perfect addition to any "walking-all-over-the-town" outfit.

3. Athletic sandals: Inspired by the current health trend, athletic-styled sandals are rising in popularity again. While Chacos are certainly the most-loved of these all-purpose-hiking-appropriate sandals, brands such as Sketchers have also made their own version of these practical shoes. While these sandals don't look the best when paired with a summer dress, they work great for all-purpose hiking/walking trips. (You can usually wear them everywhere-from a walk around a new city to a hike up a mountain to a trek through a stream.)