I think these jelly sole sandals by Chloé have the potential to look really chic. Or really like your 80-year-old granny's orthopedic sandals. It's funny though, because the two "trendy" qualities about the shoe - the jelly sole and the snakeskin print leather ankle strap with lace up - are the two things that have N-A-N-A written all over them.
What if they were plain black? Or brown suede? Would I then be associating them with lawn bowls, word jumbles and Countdown? I'm not sure. If you happen to think they're appropriate for anyone under the age of 65, then you can find them at Liberty of London for £260.
Related: Chloe oversized bow wedges | Chloe's white raised leaf ankle boots
I've said this before, but I am addicted to my Havaiana flipflops and it would take a mighty great shoe to get me out of them this summer. However, I'm not against changing things up a little, even if it's on a purely rotational basis, so I'm going to be on the lookout from now on for something to add to my 'summer essentials' shoe pile.
These flat sandals from New Look have a lot of potential - they're a flip flop design, but are a bit different to the norm thanks to their pretty beaded ankle strap. They're also a very affordable £25, so even if they don't outlast my beloved Havs, I won't be too cross with them.
Related: New Look studded flat sandal | New Look polka-dot platform peeps
So it's got to be that time of year again, when I look in my shoe closet on a brilliant sunny day like the one today, and discover I have nothing appropriate (why oh why did I go so boot crazy last season!?)
I guess it just means I'm going to have to even things up in the summer shoe department, and first to go on the list of must-buys is a pair of flat sandals. These 'Kurt' ones by Carvela caught my eye because not only are they colourful and on-trend, they're also on sale right now too, for £35 at Kurt Geiger. Now to find my next pair... thinking some wedges perhaps?
Related: Carvela 'Generate' red courts at Kurt Geiger | Carvela patent brogue heels at Kurt Geiger
OK, I admit it - I can't resist the products of Dame Viv and Melissa's collective imaginations. I thought they'd reached the peak of their creative spirit together when they released the Anglomania heart shoes but they've proven that they're not done yet with these fabulous bow-detail flat pumps. And watch that plastic bow look - it's well on its way to becoming huge. £70 at Browns
Related: Melissa's two-tone 'Happy' flats | New Melissa and Vivienne Westwood shoes for spring
Sometimes when you go out its nice to give your feet a rest and wear flats. The trouble is, when I do this I tend not to feel dressed up enough, and boring, compared to my friends towering above me. And that's where these Kurt Geiger Langham shoes come in. In purple leather, the delicate black, gold and cream pearl embellishments around the toe and on the ankle strap make these flats feel dressy, without the added pain of a 4 inch heel. Get them for £140 at Kurt Geiger. [By Steph Powell]
Related: French Sole loveheart detail ballet flats | Functional bling: Juicy Couture's 'Rhonda' camel flats
French sole shoes are a real classic style, but if you've got a bit bored with the usual quilting-and-patent combo you'll be delighted to see that the brand has followed in the footsteps of Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen and, um, Topshop and gone in for the much-loved heart toe detail.
I thnk I like this new look, but can't help feeling that the design on the far right in particular loosk a bit like a pair of BHS slippers - not a great quality in a shoe that costs £115 or more. Perhaps they look a bit more chic in the flesh? I'm willing to bet that they do! [image: shoeperwoman]
Related: French Sole flats from V for Vintage | French Sole's star print 'India' flats
Had you asked me perhaps a year ago what I thought of this shoe, my response in all likelihood would have been bleurgh (or similar). I wasn't really a fan of the half-boot/half-sandal thing and I definitely didn't *get* it. That is, until I saw Rachel Bilson tottering around in her Margiela open-toe booties last summer and thought, "hey, they're not bad after all".
Obviously, these studded flat sandals are another take on this runway favourite - and therefore caught my attention. I'm yet to try this thicker ankle strap business, and with my semi-canklish legs (heh) I'm not sure I'll be able to pull them off. But heck knows, I will at least try! If you want to give them a go too, they're £35 from New Look.
Related: Kirsty Gallacher's 'new look' delights shoe lovers | Nautical colour block platforms from New Look
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