Whether you’re trying to match your footwear with your western-inspired apparel or aiming to add some masculinity to spring’s delicacy, rustic boots are spring’s go to footwear piece. All the rage in Europe, short cowgirl styles (think mini cowboy boots), denim booties and even classic Frye riding boots are as plenty as the florals on our skirts and dresses.

For the year round urban cowgirl, consider Jeffery Campbell. Always a sound investment, Campbell’s Nation Ankle booties were the Editor’s Pick on Shop Bop and a neutral balance for someone intending to stretch their dollar. The rubber heel lifts - three inches to be exact - and the booties look great with skirts and denim. For the rocker chic, Campbell offers black studded pairs that compliment styles with less country and more city. To diversify and lighten your spring bootie selection, go for denim rather than leather - like Ash Tyler denim wedge booties. And if you are saving your scrilla or you’re just more of a handbag girl, go ahead and rock your own Frye riding boots with denim cut offs or an eyelet lace dress.
 

Emma Dinzebach

Our dedicated yoga practice is finally ready for a spring debut and to further lengthen our lovely stems, we can celebrate the return of nude shoes. Last season we matched our skin to our footwear in the form of spiky stilettos (namely Louboutin), and pranced around Soho trying not to fall over. This season has been more gracious as nude shoes are showing up in platforms, wedges, sandals and slightly subtle brogues.

Best of all, this season’s nudes command attention. They kind of make us want to use jazz hands. Whether tipped in glitter like Top Shop’s nude brogues or a twisted heel like Jeffery Campbell’s Michelle pump (left), twenty ten takes us out of our comfort zone and into Wonderland…or Pandora. It’s a season to mix, match and make believe that your legs really are four feet long…even in flats. So don’t be tempted by multicolored, heavy black or school-girl browns come Spring shopping season. For your feetsies, go nude. Matching the neutral shade to your skin tone is even better. You’re legs will thank you…and so will your boyfriend, your neighbor, your deli guy, your office crush and your UPS man.

Emma Dinzebach

We know Manolo mary-janes are not, Carrie Bradshaw, an Urban Shoe Legend. And some of us are fortunate to even own a pair. Type “mary-jane shoes” in Nordstrom.com’s shoe search and over ten pages worth of the classic revamped come to view. Of course, some are children’s shoes and others just hideous, but a few special pairs tickled our fancy. We even liked a gold pair by Jessica Simpson. Too much? Reds, neutrals and of course, plain black come in a variety of styles to suit anyone from rocker chic to Upper East Side.

(Below, left to right: Enzo Angiolini, Christian Louboutin, Harajuku Lovers.)
  
Or if you prefer the real thing, you can still purchase black Manolo mary-janes at Bergdorf.

Emma Dinzebach

London’s calling! And he has Hugh Grant’s accent and Jude Law’s…um, face. The best part, he’s offering you his shoes. Not for fall silly bear, for now. Snazzy flat footwear surpassed summer’s espadrilles and ballet flats - thank god - and copy catted off the good ‘ol boys. Digging it? So are we. It feels like we’re Charlie Chaplin dancing in this season’s oxfords and brogues.

From gold and shiny to two-toned trekkers to traditional rich browns and noirs, jump on board now so you can ride out summer pairing them with your short shorts or mini skirts. The best way to wear the man trend this summer is to mix it with pieces distinctly feminine. These shoes can be worn dressed down or dressed up.We like the tucked in tank, floral skirt and black oxfords look as well as the cut off shorts, blazer and colored brogues (pictured) look.  Accessorize with headbands, bangles and your boyfriend’s Rolex…or Swiss Army watch. We know, some of us aren’t there yet.

This trend doesn’t come around to often, so how much you want to invest in these shoes is really up to you. Those willing to commit may want to explore the saddle-esque pair courtesy of Dolce & Gabana or the mean classic black crafted by the fine folks at Prada. Not ready? Visit Top Shop for plenty of classic and nuevo styles that won’t break the bank. Of course we love Kurt Geiger for men or women (below). When shopping, keep in mind that this season’s ode to men’s footwear are sleeker and ironically more flirtatious than the ‘ol Dr. Martins you wore with your high school uniform, so choose a pair that won’t overwhelm your style… whatever that may be. Cheerio!