Flat shoes are the height of fashion
Channel your inner Audrey Hepburn with ballet shoes, or go more casual with woven sandals. ‘Today’ style editor Judy Gordon highlights this trend
 Firstview.com New York: Michael Kors' take on flat shoes for summer. |
 | Slide show |
 | Miss Universe 2008 Venezuela’s Dayana Mendoza, 22, took the crown at this year’s global pageant that included 80 beauty queens. Here are the highlights from the competition. more photos |
 | Slideshow |
 | Check out these ambush makeovers TODAY fashion and beauty experts provide new looks and styles to lucky viewers. |
It’s the flat attack! This season, flat shoes are chic, hip and trendy! Whether your style is feminine, sporty, sophisticated, or gotta-have-it trendy, we've found the flats you need to update your wardrobe with style. They're all right here in the latest edition of The Trend Report.
Ballet lessons
In a season of femininity, is it any wonder that the ballerina flat is one of the trendiest shoes going? And there are so many ways to wear it! If your style is chic and sophisticated, channel your inner Audrey Hepburn and wear a simple ballet flat with A-line skirts and slim capris. Feeling feminine? Lace on a pair covered in floral embroidery, metallic brocade, or white cotton eyelet. And if you want the hottest trend, find the most outrageous ballet flats that you can — glitter-covered, jeweled, in animal prints or snakeskin — and wear them with everything you own.
Trend tip: Some of these designer-name little slippers come with mighty big price tags. As an alternative, you can find hundreds of real ballet flats in every color, fabric and pattern at traditional ballet shoe suppliers like FrenchSoleShoes.com.
Go Greek
The flat woven sandal is a must-have this year because it's the perfect partner to so many looks. First of all, partnering a flat leather sandal with feminine frills or even a sweet little dress is an instant modern update that is very “2006.” They also work with long, tiered skirts, safari-inspired pieces and nautical styles — an all-around versatile shoe! Two of the hottest sandals owe their good looks to the ancient Greeks — both the woven leather flat sandal and the T-strap gladiator-style are hot, hot, hot!
Trend tip: When feet are on display, make sure they're well-manicured! The trendiest pedicure is the "no polish" look. But if your toes aren't in picture-perfect shape, opt for pale neutral polish instead.
Skim a little
If you need a dressier shoe for work or special occasions, you're in luck — this season you'll find more gorgeous flat- or low-heeled skimmers than we've seen in years. The key words to remember are “pretty“ and “feminine.” Look for soft, pale colors or metallic leathers, woven leather treatments, open toes, cut-out leather treatments that make leather look like eyelet or lace, or even fantastic embellishments like glitter, jewels, embroidery or fabric flowers to crown your shoes.
Trend tip: Remove all the bells and whistles from the skimmer and just keep the peep-toe, and what you have left is a pretty — and trendy — low-heeled open-toe pump (especially nice in patent leather).
On the edge
If you're up for a just a little heel, the wedge heel is a very comfortable way to add a bit of height — and style — to your summer wardrobe. Casual options include the classic, low-heeled espadrille and sandals or slides with wedges made from trendy cork. As a dressier option, we love the clean lines of a linen and leather spectator combination with a touch of gold metal hardware — made new, polished and chic with leather-covered wedge heels.
Trend tip: Don't invest TOO much in your summer wedge heels — chances are they'll be out of style by next summer.
Dig those skulls
And now for a little fun — even the most casual of weekend shoes are getting the fashion treatment. One of the trendiest looks going — sure to mark you as a trendista should you sport them this summer — are the classic rubber-soled slip-ons from Van's printed in a skull motif. “Pirate chic” skull-and-crossbones accessories are being worn by every A-list celeb from Paris Hilton to Sienna Miller, who get to bypass the waitlists for hot styles from Thomas Wylde and Alexander McQueen. But you heard it here first — Van's limited edition skull-print slip-ons are the next red carpet trend!
Trend tip: Not loving the skulls? You can still go casual and trendy with sneakers from Alexander McQueen for Puma or sport shoes from Stella McCartney for Adidas.
Judy Gordon is a New York-based style consultant and the “Today” show’s style editor. She has been covering the fashion and beauty beat for the past decade. To learn more about Gordon, you can visit her Web site, TheTrendReport.com, which highlights style trends in America and across the world.
firstVIEW is the primary supplier of photos to Fashion Friday. Go to http://www.firstview.com/ for the latest pictures from top fashion shows around the world, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Milan, Brazil, New Zealand, South Korea and more.
- Discuss Story On Newsvine
- Rate Story:
View popularLowHigh - Instant Message
MORE FROM FASHION AND BEAUTY |
 Fashion and beauty Section Front |
| Add Fashion and beauty headlines to your news reader: |