Top White Bridal Shoes for Summer

Blend Tradition with 2010's Hottest Trends

Alyce Wilson
When most brides think of wedding shoes, they think of white, and for a traditional look that's the safest bet. With a little creativity, brides can bring a stylist twist to this classic accessory.

A wide variety of dyeable shoes come in basic white and, if the bride prefers, can also be worn by the bridal party and dyed to match their dresses. Browse sites like DyeableShoeStore.com for a wealth of options, such as the Cerise 2-3/4" inch heel by Pink. These elegant shoes feature a closed back and a peek-a-boo toe with rhinestone ornament.

From the same site, these Aney 2-2/8" inch heel slingbacks offer up one of the hottest summer 2010 trends: bows. The front is also decorated with pleating, elevating them beyond a basic, simple shoe.

Looking to make a real splash? Try some embellishment, such as this pair from Artyce Bridal Footwear, which are leather sandals with Swaroski crystals. They sell for $200, but you can find a similar style for half the price at Zappos.com. The rsvp Gennie platforms have a satin upper, 4" heel and dazzling stones on the upper. They're priced at $83.

Go for simple elegance with the Touch-Ups Women's Katrina Dyeable Pump from endless.com. These satin pumps have a leather sole, 3" heels, and boast some of the hottest features: pleats, a bow, and a gem-encrusted ornament. They sell for $56.95.

If you're looking for a simple shoe that's comfortable, browse the selection at Shoeline.com, which specializes in brands known for comfort. Sofft's Olina pumps in white patent leather have a 3" stacked heel and adjustable buckle. They are priced at $99.95.

The runways of summer 2010 bridal fashions were full of romantic looks, with lace and vintage touches. The perfect shoe to pair with such a dress would be the J. Rene Allegro White Iridescent Pumps for sale at Overstock.com. A peep-toe with a 2" heel, they are covered with a patterned fabric and have a whimsical ruffle bow. They sell for $40.99 and have a padded footbed for comfort.

A lower-heel shoe that could work well with a romantic or antique dress, the Dollhouse Glance White Skimmers available at Overstock.com sell for $44 and feature pleating at the vamp and scalloped trim. The low stacked heel is only 1-1/4", which fashionistas would call a kitten heel. They also have a lightly padded insole.

With these shoes, brides can draw on the latest trends while still sticking to traditional white. Whatever the style, make sure to order them far in advance so they'll arrive in time for your first dress fitting. Look for shoes that complement, but don't compete, with the dress. Most importantly, according to an article on selecting bridal shoes at Brides.com, break in the shoes before your big day.

Published by Alyce Wilson - Featured Contributor in Arts & Entertainment

Published poet, columnist, essayist and journalist Alyce Wilson has a MFA in Poetry and edits the online lit mag, Wild Violet. She is also a mom and a pop culture fanatic.   View profile

To comment, please sign in to your Yahoo! account, or sign up for a new account.