Every girl needs a classic pair of shoes. Whether they’re boots, flats or pumps, nude, black, leather or suede, a neutral pair is a universal necessity.  But you are officially at liberty to have fun with you feet. Think Sara Jessica Parker’s illustrious Manolo-packed closet in Sex and the City. Mixing prints, colors and solids is not limited to clothes. A major trend this season is two-toned kicks – a la business in the front, party in the back. Below is a guide to booties, flats and heels that so tastefully embody this trend. 

Boots

Do not throw away your riding boots – black or brown – and keep the combat ones too. There is nothing wrong with the basics, but there’s definitely space to add some creativity to the mix. Rebecca Minkoff’s Refined Snake Booties are a prime example. The booties come in both brown and black. The brown is balanced with dark cognac snakeskin print and the black with gray and a touch of aqua that hug the heel. The booties come up just short of the ankle, so they are not overbearing in the least. From the front, the round toe makes them seem delicate and classic, but the snakeskin is a definite added bonus, nonetheless. Tibi’s Edie Flats are a cross between a men’s loafer and a bootie. The shoes are sleek and simple with their two-toned leather paneling. The white front is crisp and contrasts nicely with a black paneled back. 

Flats

Although flats are most often referred to as ballerina shoes, they do not solely need to be feminine tones, textures and designs. Flats are merely named for their leveled surface, or put simply, lack of a heel. There’s no crime in sporting fun prints, textures and designs, which is no better exemplified than by up-and-coming shoe designer Yosi Samra. Samra’s Aries Smoking Flats not only combines two trendy styles into one shoe – the flat and the smoking slipper – but he uses a basic black cowhide leather back to downplay the calf-hair printed front. This tasteful twist is subtle enough for day-to-day wear yet adds ample flair to a simple get-up. Diane von Furstenberg, known for her color-blocking and bold print clothing collections, extended this trend to her shoe designs. The Botswana Colorblock Flats are simple in their form yet mix suede and leather into one seamless shoe. The shoes come in a variety of combinations – metallic gold and blush, royal blue suede and navy and zebra print and orange. 

Pumps

What would a shoe trend review be without the famed high-heel? Blisters, cuts and arch pains aside, heels are some of the most elegant articles a woman can own. They can take a look from casual to fancy, shlumpy to sexy and smart to sophisticated. But like the boots and flats mentioned above, you’re encouraged to keep the simple pumps (because no heels are ever just plain simple); but test the waters and add some spunk to your step. Two-toned heels are a smart move – if the mere nature of the heel is already intense, the half-designed shoe will add enough pop, but won’t tip you to the obnoxious tasteless end. Take Brian Atwood’s Blayne Snake Suede Pumps. The sultry suede dup are mostly black, but the bright floral snakeskin heel enhances the otherwise ordinary shoe. The fun heel undoubtedly gives the every day outfit a heightened effect – no pun intended.

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