Toeing The Line

LET’S JUST CALL IT A PARTY FOR YOUR FEET

Finally, it’s safe to free our toes, slip into sandals and spring for color.

Cold weather certainly took its time leaving, but that just makes spring and summer shoes even more appealing.

“Spring is looking amazing this year, and it’s all in the details. From a tiki circular heel to oversized grommets, raffia woven wedges to zebra wood flatforms, there is something unique about the details,” said Betsy King, owner of Betsy King A Shoe Boutique in the Paseo Arts District.

Let’s just call them a party for your feet.

“I think the slide continues to be the strongest silhouette coming in everything from mirrored metallics, bright pops of color and soft pastels,” she said.

Trends don’t stop there. Say hello to kitten heels and slingback styles. Cowboy boots, both original and more creative takes on the classic. Lavender and other tempting pastels. Chunky, thicksoled sneakers. Lace-up strappy stilettos and classic pumps. Accents such as lacing, contrast piping, straps, buckles and pom-poms. Clear heels and straps. And glitter and shine.

“I feel that there’s really something out there that’s on trend for everyone,” King said

Shoe designer Brian Atwood found inspiration from the movie “Paris is Burning” and his spring collection revolves around flowers,

punk, color (his favorite is purple), tie dye, kaleidoscope, pony and leather. His shoes are eye-catching and fun. His slides and kitten heel sling backs with safety pin accents have been especially popular, said Maria Casabianca, a sales representative who was at CK & Co. for a trunk show.

While Atwood is known for ornamentation, detail and fearless silhouettes, he’s very much in touch with the direction fashion winds blow. Casabianca said the designer is seeing a shift toward lady like dressing and his answer is kitten heels and clean-cut pumps. Women are ready for lady-like shoes and a simple, great-looking pump, especially one of the designer’s sky-high heels, can finish off an outfit, Casabianca said.

At Head Over Heels Boutique in Edmond, the focus is more on shoes a little closer to the ground.

“This season for us is all about fun, comfort, color and shine,” said Sue Krominga and Kelsey Moore, owners of Head Over Heels Boutique in Edmond. While high heels often are high fashion, the owners say women can be stylish in lower heels and flats, both of which are grabbing attention this season.

For spring, they like the look of a colorful or shiny shoe to change the look of any outfit.

So, feet, get ready. There’s a party coming.

[PHOTO BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN] PLV slide with raffia fringe heel from Betsy King A Shoe Boutique and Veronica M multi-stripe strapless dress from Jonque Mode. Model: Michaela McClure.

Brian Atwood animal print slide with gold safety pin accent from CK & Co.

Gold metallic weave sandal with gold geometric heel by Frances Valentine from CK & Co.

[PHOTOS BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN] PLV white slip on with Lucite heel from Betsy King A Shoe Boutique and Loveriche black sleeveless dress from Jonque Mode. Model: Michaela McClure.