The first lesson I learned was probably the most difficult: you simply can’t take everything. As such, plan your outfits around your shoes, not the other way around.

Next, I discovered a few helpful hints to maximize variety and versatility. Firstly, pack shoes that can serve more than one purpose (i.e. shoes that match multiple outfits, shoes that work in casual and professional settings, etc.). Second, plan on wearing your heaviest shoes while traveling. This will allow you to pack lighter shoes, which unfortunately means no wedges or wooden heels.

Finally, only pack shoes that you’re certain you’ll use (I can’t tell you how many times I’ve packed a pair of bulky workout sneakers only to unpack them later, unused).

If you’re in need of some light, versatile shoes, check out these styles from Shoefly:

Ada by Frye (pictured above). Need something that’s packable and professional? These peep-toe pumps are perfect for working away the day or dancing away the night.

Crosstoe by All Black. This shoe doubles as evening or business wear — and you’ll look great doing both.

Ginnie by Sam Edelman. A great vacation shoe — perfect for packing and stylin’ for summer.

Petticoat by Seychelles. One of our more versatile styles, these shoes do casual well, and they do it with flare.

Complete your look – try these gladiators on for size:

Ginger by Sam Edelman. These gladiator sandals speak the language of convenience with a zipper along their back. No messing with straps and buckles — it’s the look without the hassle.

Alandra by Report. Like the gladiators above, these sandals by Report also zip up the back for ease-of-use. The beautiful beads set down the middle give the shoes an extra dash of color.

Wakiko by Faryl Robin. These gladiator sandals have it all — edge, glamour, and comfort.

Vyper by Report. The gold and silver lining the straps make this gladiator bold, luxurious, and hip.

Still, I don’t think this is a look that we’ll be seeing on the streets anytime soon.  (The philosophical implications alone boggle my mind… Would someone get hat shoe hair from wearing these?  If someone wears the same shoes on the top and bottom, does that make them a shoe sandwich?)  If you’re hoping to feel as cocksure as those models, slip into a pair of these powerful Shoefly kicks instead.

1.  Power 5259 by Charles David:  A solid four-inch heel means you’ll feel confident strutting circles around your competition all day long in these.

2.  Maggie by Joy Chen:  This is the soft power pump.  It sends the message that you have it all together; you’re suave, likeable, and intelligent.  This is the Grace Kelly of powerful shoes.

3.  Theodora by Charlotte Ronson (shown at top).  A stacked heel, subtle crocodile texture, and bow make this powerful pump stylishly feminine.

With footgear like this, your every step will be confident and fierce. Harness the power of shoes– browse Shoefly’s collection today!

For starters, let’s talk sandals. First, gladiator sandals continue to conquer the summer. The general consensus seems to be that as long as there’s a lot going on — ties, laces, straps, beads, jewels — you’re in great shape. Second, we know flip-flops are popular, but exercise caution when wearing them. They may create more damage than comfort. Finally, there’s no shame in spicing up your sandals by adding a little height and flair à la the wedge (see right).

Next, it matters what you wear. I can’t tell you how many women I see wearing gorgeous outfits and ghastly shoes. Or vice versa: someone will have on a stunning pair of Sam Edelman’s while the rest of her looks, well, not-so-stunning. If you’re serious about looking good this summer, make sure you understand the dos and don’ts of summer styles with summer shoes.

And finally, it’s time you were introduced to the perfect summer shoe style: perforated. Check out Shoeflyer’s previous post on this innovative summer style.

[photo (top, left): fazeteen.com]

The BV1276 from Biviel (pictured left). It’s actually a hybrid of sorts, combining the look and feel of a shoe with the cool and comfort of a sandal. The perforated holes along the sides and toe of this shoe are not only uniquely hip and slightly edgy, they provide much needed air circulation for warm feet. Finally, a shoe that’s both practical and fashionable. These flats are a sure bet to beat the heat this summer. And if you’re looking for a little more elegance and professionalism, try Biviel’s BV1835 (pictured right) for a similar cooling effect and trendy result.

For more great summer shoe suggestions and selections, try the following articles:

• No, flip-flops don’t go with everything.
• How to Protect Your Feet at the Beach
• Five Fab Summer Shoes for the Office
• Summer Wedge Sandals: Perfect Summer BBQ Shoes

Also, peruse our Shoes for Summer section.

Tie-dyed shoes aren’t something you see on the rack every day, so if you’re planning on buying your tie-dyed beauties, I suggest internet shopping.  Zazzle.com could be your best bet.  They allow consumers to design their own shoes, clothes, and more.  Or you can choose from the wide variety of tie-dyed shoes designed by visitors to Zazzle.com.  My favorite design is called “Earth and Tie Dye,” and blends a picture of the earth with groovy blue and green tie-dye. I bet any hippie would appreciate these sneaks.

Don’t have the moola to spring for a tie-dyed pair?  I’m thrilled that this is one trend that can be done at home.  You can tie-dye nearly any natural fabric, including sneakers made of cotton, hemp, or linen.  Don’t tackle this project without careful preparation– read a few tips on tie-dying shoes here.

Finally, if you’re looking for summery shoes to compliment your other tie-dye pieces, here are a few from the Shoefly collection that could work.  Enjoy, and peace out, man!

Dobie by Charles David

Marcus by Zigi NY

Wakiko by Faryl Robbin

The Theatre de La Mode show is an enchanting treat for any fashionista. As the museum’s audio tour for the exhibit explains, “In 1944-45, after the German occupation of Paris, the fashion world was really threatened…  The things that were most important to the fashion world were in short supply (needles, thread, fabric, fuel)… but Paris would never give up the claim to being the center of fashion for the world. So Lucien Lelong had an idea: that he would develop the 1945 fashions in miniature.” Wire was on hand, so twenty-seven-inch-tall wire mannequins were topped with lifelike sculpted faces and heads, and 55 design houses created scaled down, incredibly detailed versions of their best fashions for that season, including hats, shoes, and even gloves.  However, despite the fact that the Theatre de la Mode captivated and inspired fashion-starved consumers across the globe, the mannequins sat in the basement of a department store until the 1950s, when a benefactor brought it to the Maryhill Museum.

The shoes in this exhibit were lavishly detailed and completely fierce, to use modern fashion lingo. (I will post more pictures from my trip later in the week.) The Theater de la Mode exhibit shows just how powerful fashion and other forms of art can be.  Although those who had suffered from the war probably felt that their lives were as bare-boned and incomplete as those wire mannequins, the beautifully detailed pieces from the Theatre de la Mode buoyed their spirits and made their post-war world a little brighter.

Here are a few shoes from the Shoefly collection that remind me of shoes that I saw in the Theater de la Mode.  Enjoy, and remember: everything in the Shoefly store is 25% off right now.

Arch by Faryl Robbin

BV1855 by Biviel

Maddie by Joy Chen

Top photo via Maryhill Museum of Art.

Friday, July 31st: Wander the convention center, jaw permanently open in awe at the variety and quantity of shoes.  After a couple of hours of shoe-joy overload, remind yourself that you still have two more days of shoe shopping. Keep repeating that to yourself as you get lost in 6000 brands of shoes from 90 different countries.  Take a class or two on everything from how to sell shoes online, to hot colors and trends for the next year. Around 4, decide a trip to the pool is in order– complete with pedicure and Malibu Shoe cocktail.

Saturday, August 1st: Be dazzled by The Collections at The Venetian.  Like a shoe show within a shoe show, The Collections at WSA is where luxury shoes reign supreme. Write a string of blog posts from the floor of the Venetian, outlining what’s hot and what’s not for the next year.  As Michael Cohen, Chief Industry Analyst for the NPD Group says, “There are designs that emerge from the design studios, from many of the brands, but until it comes to this event, no one really knows if it’s hot or not.”

Sunday, August 2nd: Buy a new suitcase to fit my Imelda-sized array of new shoes!

What would you give to be able to wander through Sin City that weekend? Daydreams aside, the WSA is a powerhouse professional event for footwear industry professionals from across the globe.  Ed Habre, CEO of Shoe Mill, explains the value of attending the show, saying,  “When you see one line at a time, it doesn’t give you the same perspective as when you see an overview of what’s available in the industry from a competitive standpoint.”

If you’re going to a convention this summer, you’re probably looking for a pair of comfortable shoes that will keep your feet happy even when they have to walk on convention-center concrete.  Here are a few shoes I would pack for the long, delightful days at WSA– if only I could go!

Chapora by Puma-- with magnetic inserts for holistic benefits.

Garland by Sam Edelman-- a gladiator for the true glamor-puss.

Mollie by Joy Chen--elegant height without extravagant pain.

Top photo courtesy of The WSA Show

As Ms. Palin steps out of the spotlight (and perhaps moves backstage to produce her next big political number), I have a few style tips for those who would like to emulate her shoe style:

1. If you possibly can, wear heels. Ms. Palin maintains a flirty feminine style, even when debating the “big boys.”
2. Red=power.  You like power, right?  Then don some red heels.  No one can deny the power of a pair of red stilettos. (As more women run for president, I’m sure that such maxims will appear in Political Science textbooks alongside patterns regarding male height and victory.)
3. Peep-toe heels with buckles and other adornments are a good idea– as long as your French manicure is spot-on.
4. If you can’t wear red pumps, select black pumps.
5. Look for skinny, pencil-thick heels, rounded toes, and significant height.  (Those Miss Alaska runway walks sure prepared Sarah well for her political appearances. Say what you will about her preparation otherwise, but you must admit that the woman knows how to walk in a pair of heels– which is definitely a skill in and of itself.)

Here are a few Shoefly selections that I believe the formal governor of Alaska would approve of.

5262-1 by Dolce Vita

Power 5259 by Charles David

Ronda by DELMAN

Happy Independence Day to all Shoefly mavericks!

Top photo via FashionTribes.com.

1.  Avoid Prepackaged Crap. Save yourself a case of buyer’s guilt– avoid the holiday-specific aisles.  If you simply must dress by the date, haul out the puffy paints and create your own zealously patriotic design.  At least that way you won’t look like every other Walmart shopper.

2. Let the Stars and Stripes Shine Subtly. Your outfit does not have to be a fireworks display of patriotism.  Why not clasp a navy scarf with a star brooch?  Or wear American flag socks?  (Check out these dazzling stars and stripes socks from Sock Dreams.) Choices like these let you get into the Fourth– without feeling underwhelmed as you gaze into your closet on the fifth. The Fourth of July is a great holiday for fashion nuance– the fireworks will be loud enough without your ensemble entering the fray.

3. Consider the Range of Reds, Whites, and Blues. Against a sea of traditional cherry red/royal blue designs, a maroon/navy palette will come off as refreshingly appropriate.  Canvas, silver, and cosmic latte are more way more interesting than white– and interesting is definitely an American trait.

Finally, wear comfortable shoes. The joy of celebrating in a crowd of proud Americans will be overshadowed by your foot pain if you’re not careful to select a supportive pair.  Here are a few options from the Shoefly collection:

Top photo by Tanya Ryno.