Neon yellow footwear and accents are appearing with gusto.  It’s not just about oxfords like Christian Louboutin’s Havana or Jil Sander’s neon sole style; loafers are taking over the neon world as well.  Matt Bernson’s Gitanes are pretty spectacular, especially since there is no detailing; the neon coloring is powerful enough.

If feminine flats are more your thing, Belle by Sigerson Morrison’s Andromeda punch out flats are fairly spectacular. As for Rebecca Minkoff’s Uma woven flats, they are a little more boho, but the weaving style is snappy enough to stay away from any hippie fail.

Coral has recently become a favorite of mine.  It is the perfect summer red, without stepping into dreaded Pink Territory.Coral reminds me of a pinched cheek, and I love it in leather, especially when made into a bike jacket, as IRO has done.  Ash has also experimented with coral leather, and has added super studs to their very cool Vibration sneakers.

Classic dress cuts as Awear’s coral dot and Dorothy Perkins’ surprisingly funky damask dress.  For safer shoppers, Quicksilver’s coral jeans are a smart purchase at just under $60, while those with rediculous amounts of disposable income (or those interested in DIY) should consider Faliero Sarti’s Topazio scarf.

Platform sneakers may have had their heydays in the mid nineties during the Spice Girls phenom, though they’re back with more steam than one could have thought possible.  As someone who owned three platform sneaker pairs just like the Jil Sander Navy (and had to beg her mom for every single pair), this is brutally nostalgic.

The design world seems to have typically adopted a Chuck Taylor look to their platforms, from the sporty take of the Smoothie to more gothic side of iiJin’s studded and embossed designs.  If you’re into more of a basic canvas, Asos’ art deco offers a snappy pattern, while Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony gives us the bare design – solid black, or white.

Buckled boots have been a long term favorite of mine, which accounts for my historical soft spot for all things goth.  Cut-out features are appearing on summer 2012 designs, making little windows during hot weather for good circulation.  Even if you don’t plan on wearing these with thin stockings or bare footed, the cut out style is an excellent vehicle for showing off spunky socks.

The two selected for spotlighting are Jeffrey Campbell’s super heavy Tripoli, and Topshop’s double buckle Adonis.  Both feature thick soles and low heels, though the JC pair are definitely on the heavier side of the industrial look.

Creeper boots are quickly replacing the regular ankle boot in the ‘awesome’ category.  These two boots from Underground UK are amazing, heavy and fairly affordable.  The Bowie and X Issue collab are my absolute must haves for the fall.  A warning, though – the navigation on the Underground UK shopping site sucks major cajones.

Walter Steiger is the king of the curved heel, and his Oscar ankle boots are some kind of divine.  They’re extreme renditions of the Chelsea with their elastic insert, and Topshop has created a little inspired by piece called the Pisa Banana.

It’s got the curved heel just like the Steig, the elastic, black suede outer and platform base.. it’s a pretty decent knockoff.

I often peruse Solestruck for gems, there are times when I come across a shoe that tickles my brains.  These Minimarket Frigg flatforms have had me squinting sideways – invisible flatform monk shoes with a rabbit fur panel on top?!

Minimarket has left me wondering if this is a shoe only a fashion blogger could love; I think it’s one of those so-ugly-it’s-fascinating-so-I’ll-buy-it type of scenarios.  For a few people, anyways.

Pony hair footwear is perfect for those fans of all-black-everything; hair provides a little texture to your look and is appearing on all sorts of styles.  If you want to get a little hairier in formal wear, check out Walter Steiger’s oxford ankle boot, or Opening Ceremony’s Stefania 1 for a little more funk (which also happen to be on sale!).  For the flat fan, basic hair loafers from Sam Edelman and Aldo.

For the casual bootie fan, Steve Madden’s Damiann, LD Tuttle’s lace up, Opening Ceremony’s clog boots and Sigerson Morrison’s heeled booties are excellent for everyday wear.  While these are all solid styles, demiCouture’s favorites are clear; the affordable street standout is AllSaints’ Damisi update and Mr Hare’s hairy Chelsea boot is my official if only selection.

Cap toe boots and shoes are the newest addition to the hot footwear community.  Caps are mostly showing up on boots, though there are some ballets and the other flats, like the Louboutin Rollergirl loafers.  Two of the shiniest boots out right now are Etro’s sky high and Shakuhachi’s flat combat.

Keep your eyes peeled for more, and watch how your cap toe is created (if you’re getting a cheap plastic or imitation metal dip, that will rub off and destroy the look of your shoes!)

I’ve been wearing duck boots since I was a toddler at my grandpa’s insistance, and they’ve especially grown on me in the last year.  I acquired the Lands End pair 10 months ago, and have been using them instead of wellies with great success.  The best part is since the sole and a good amount of the lower boot shaping is rubber, the boots are not only waterproof but are much more cost effective.

While the short Asos Aspen pairs [red, green] are shorter and use fabrics, they’re cheekier though ultimatley not waterproof.  The taller lace-up pair is not listed as officially waterproof either, though the Bass Hadwin and Sporto Dylan pairs are both confirmed to be puddle ready.

The parade of trending flats is always increasing, with the newest member of the crew being the monk shoe.  A monk shoe is a typical flat that features a foldover buckle, though base style differs; we see creeper style soles, typical brogue and platform – the possibilities are lengthly.

Oxblood and similar shades are especially hot this season; Dr Martens’ new Lorne and Asos’ platform Mystery are just the ticket.  For the more eccentric pattern lovers, Asos’ textile monk and Underground’s Hacinenda are two options that happen to be quite affordable.  My personal favorite is Candela’s contrast color cap toe; these are beautiful statement shoes if you’re typically a darker shade fan.

When it comes to basic black, styles from Kurt Geiger and Objects In Mirror are fairly utilitarian, though Lanvin’s satin, Alexander Wang’s Abbey and Ralph Lauren’s Quinlin are sleeker.

Lace ups are an eternal choice for flat lovers, and glitter jazzies have returned in popularity from last year’s burst onto the mainstream scene.  Whether you actually want laces or not (in the case of Wild Pair’s Trouser), the options for glitter lace ups are certain to expand with the coming fall season, though the five below are all available right now.

Jeffrey Campbell’s Uniform has seen many reincarnations, the glitter version [gold also available] being just the latest in their flashy footwear foray.  Pour la Victore’s Bling is similar, though features contrast laces and is marked down from nearly $200.  Topshop’s Venus is another affordable high street offering, though boasts a unique glitter covered heel.

They say the cheese stands alone, but there is nothing remotely cheesy about Miu Miu’s low platform brogues, a clear take on the label’s big sister Prada’s extreme pairs.  This style is much for fall forward as there is no espadrille roping, and clearly much more functional due to the lower platform.

There’s a trend of oxblood everything coming around this fall, which is great for color lovers that don’t want to get too clown like with primary shades.  Oxblood is like a brownish red hue; literally like drying blood.  It may sound gross, but wearing that color is spectacular; it’s rich, goes with much more than your standard brighter reds and will not have you looking like Santa Claus.

We have varying shades of red, though my favorite pieces have more brown tones.  Starting with the low lace-ups, starting with my favorite, Dr Martens Packard.  Asos’ Aiden is a lovely brogue boot, while Fiorentini and Baker’s Cusna will blend into any look effortlessly.  For heel lovers, Carvela’s Splice and Sara boots are just the ticket.

When it comes to laceless, [much to my delight] the Chelsea style seems to be reigning supreme.  Topshop’s Marvel, N.D.C.’s pull on and Penelope Chilvers’ Cubana is the most spectacular of the group.  Red velvet is still on top, baby!

I can’t get enough black ankle boots.  They’re my absolute favorite, and I’m a die hard fan – heeled, elastic insert, buckling, suede, short crops or taller, I care not! They’re classic, and go with everything one could possibly wear.. a perfect boot.

Asos’ Alibi is by far the most affordable of the group, though it has the least heel of the group.  Kate Maconie’s Emily short boot and Fluevog’s Perry are next in line, the Fluevog style being a rather pleasant surprise as this is not a brand I am typically a fan of.

The low heel kingdom is also graced with Jil Sander’s elastic pull on and Jimmy Choo’s suede panel Dore, while a slightly higher heel belongs to Giuseppe Zanotti’s short boot, Alexander Wang’s buckled Ashley and Paul Smith’s Vera.

The Alexander Wang and Fluevog are my favorites.. can you pick just one?! (Clearly I couldn’t)

All I can say is that I’m freaking in lurve with these creepers; all of their neutral suede, neutral chunky sole, woven effect, faux bondage d-ring laces, everything is just wonderful.  I can’t say anything more than George Cox for Asos’ creepers are at the tip top of my list! A black version is available as well, though you can’t see the detailing nearly as well.

When it comes to a short heel, cropped boot you can’t get better than Acne’s Pistol boot.   For those who find the nearly 6 bill tag a little too daunting, Dolce Vita offers the Jamison; a similarly designed ankle boot for $120.

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When I think of the label Mark Fast, I think slinky, sleek, [typically] dark knit silhouettes on their own or amongst a lot of leather, so when I heard tell that Mark Fast was doing a collab with Aldo, there was some elevated heart rates.

What I didn’t expect to see was a preview sketch of an orange, fringey thing with a very small knit panel that didn’t evoke the Fast label to me at all.  Granted this is only one sketch from what I assume is a handful, though I’m not excited at what I see.

I really wonder what the rest of the group is going to look like.

Everyone knows [or should know] how I love my Pskaufman boots [I have these glorious wingtips].  Below is a feature on Paul Kaufman, designer of Pskaufman, discussing not only his own range but his ties to hipster favorite NaNa and how that related to Chloë Sevigny’s collection with Opening Ceremony.

Watch, erryone! You’ll love ze shoes.

Zara has never been a forefront brand on my radar; I estimate this due to not having a functional online store available to the Americas, but hey, we won’t nit pick.  The point of this showcase is there are six delightful new pairs of very affordable leather shoes in the process of arriving in time for the FW11 shift.

The six below are my personal favorites from the Zara FW11 collection.  We have the more feminine two tone pump and snakeskin bootie, and the more traditionally loved menswear influences of the Bulcher lace up, short bike boots, oxblood Chelseas and two tone booties.  All of these are made from real leather, and range from $70 – $129US.. quite the steal, with designs all being very wearable and on the moment trend wise.

Bloch shoes are excellent transitional pieces for many reasons; they’re light, leather and these Hannah flats are oxford inspired for a menswear look.  These kicks are on sale for $100; they come in black, moon and nude, sizes 6-11 available in most (including half sizes)

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