Shoe In

By Candy

You’re always up for experimentation. So this semester, why not go both ways?

The footwear fare this season lets you go vintage and modern, sporty and sassy, splurge-tastic and budget-friendly. Talk about finding your sole mate.

Recycling has never been so glamorous, with designers pulling a rewind and reinventing shoe silhouettes from the 60s, 70s and 80s for vintage-meets-modern looks. This season, Betsey Johnson footwear collection marries 60s polka-dot patterns with modern platform heels for splurge-worthy kicks. Give your feet some love. And they’ll work wonders when paired with a casual pair of jeans, or bring added pizzazz to an already perfect party frock. Or score the look for a steal, thanks to Newport News, who carry a bevy of vintage/modern hybrid shoes of their own in the $25-40 price range, including vintage-inspired leopard print sling-backs that make a rally for the season’s animal print trend.

What’s that? You prefer sneaking around?

Lucky for you, sneakers have made their way into the fashion realm with stylish fashion-forward facelifts. Designers like the ink-meets-fashion purveyor, Ed Hardy, the very designer responsible for the tattoo-tee trend lauded by celebrities like Paris Hilton and Lindsey Lohan, has taken it to the street with a line of footwear adorned with his tattoo moniker. The line also includes everything from slip-ons embellished with skulls to skate shoes emblazoned with tattoo rose-designs. JUMP shoes have answered this season’s call for versatile footwear with its line of cool Japanese-inspired sneaker boots and ballet flats. Who said you couldn’t have it all?

They protect and support you, and they’ll never say no when you ask them to join you on the dance floor. This season, you and your shoes are the perfect pair.

And if the shoe fits …