Have you noticed? For the past few years, designers have been showing sandals with socks on the runway. We admit, at first, we thought it was a little weird, but the look has grown on us. The spirit is retro, fun, and funky! However, it all comes down to pairing the right sock with the right sandal.

A great place to start is with Antipast’s picnic of summer socks, which we just unpacked at the Ped warehouse! Whether you wear these Japanese treats with closed-toe shoes or walk the cutting edge by synching them with heeled sandals, Antipast’s socks are guaranteed to bring smiles wherever you go!

An argyle sock defines “classic,” but, of course, Antipast’s Emiko and Junko give it a unique spin, mixing up the colors by adding a contrasting border at the top:

Feeling bold? Why not take the Antipast Cross Diamond Sock in blue in a decidedly un-classic direction by wearing it with the Vialis Arabelle? Dynamite!

Want to wear a flirty skirt with a taller sock? We’re crazy about Antipast’s Monet Knee High!

If you really want to make an impression (sorry, we couldn’t resist), imagine pairing the blue version with Fiorentini + Baker’s Floss slingback peep toe:

Antipast has so much fun playing with whimsical patterns, and this season, one of the juiciest jazzes up the  Citrus Socks:

Combine this sweet sock in black with Accessoire’s Tamba, though, and it takes a turn towards vintage chic:

As every Ped fan knows we have a thing for striped socks! So of course, we’re over the moon for Antipast’s Railroad Over The Knee:

Want to make sure everyone remembers you (and leave people with their jaws on the ground)? Then consider taking the sexy-schoolgirl look to the extreme by pairing the Railroad in red with the Argila Allie.

Like the idea but prefer to scale it back a notch? Go for the Railroad in trouser length.

We realize these looks aren’t for everyone, but if you have the arty verve to put them into action, they’re sure to turn heads! And let’s face it, just thinking about the possibilities makes getting dressed much more fun! There are plenty more Antipast styles to spark your imagination over at the main Ped site! So get psyched about socks!

(By the way, the Sweet treat this week is really, really, really sweet: Fiorentini + Baker’s Emma Boot! Click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to land at the Emma with the code that will bring a sugary 20% off at checkout! Mmmmmm, now that’s tasty!)

When I say the word “clog,” what comes to mind? I’ll tell you what I used to envision: comfy but clunky shoes standing in front of the bulk granola at the health food store.

But that was before VIALIS!

Those Spanish geniuses have taken the humble wood-soled clog and transformed it into blue-flame hotness, creating designs more appropriate for the catwalk than the checkout line at the co-op. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that!) What Vialis hasn’t changed is the comfort; every sandal and shoe offers mile after mile of blissful walking.

Plus, Vialis shoes are beautifully made with an eye to craftsmanship and detail. Check out this video that demonstrates why Vialis is so special:

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Is your curiosity piqued to see Ped’s new Vialis clogs? Get ready to have your socks knocked off (which is just fine because every pair feels fantastic barefoot)!

Let’s get this party started with a style that’s both sunny and sexy, Vialis’ Mimi:

The perfect companion for  your favorite summer dress or clamdiggers, this sandal will make everyone smile! A t-strap always elongates the leg line, but this one’s extra special, thanks to the central raised seam with contrast top-stitching—a little accent with big impact! (We also have the Mimi in versatile black.)

Vialis uses a similar detail to good effect in the Arabelle:

You know how much I adore a green shoe, and this shade makes me swoon! Then again, the Arabelle also sets off fireworks in red! And like every pair of Vialis clogs, a suede-covered padded footbed keeps the wood sole comfy!

If you prefer a closed toe, Vialis has you covered(!) with the Sara:

Mi corazon! This flirt of a shoe will win admirers everywhere you walk! We love the clean design, accented only by the exposed nail heads around the perimeter. Plus the seamed toe creates such an elegant line. (You noir lovers will be happy to hear this knockout also comes in black!)

Looking for something a little more casual but still smokin’? Feast your eyes on the Vialis Claudette:

Low key enough for work but still hot enough for after-five cocktails, the Claudette is an ideal go-to shoe. Wear it to run errands! Wear it to the Riviera! It’s as versatile as they come! (Plus we also have this beauty in azul blue.)

Not high on heels? Don’t worry, Vialis has something for you, too! How cute is the Sophie?

We love the playful take on oxford styling, especially the slightly oversized ribbon lacing! So fun!

If it’s color you’re after (and as I told you last post, it’s the wave of the future), drink in the loveliness of Vialis’ Lulu:

Oo la la, Lulu! Could that azul blue nubuck be any juicer? Only Vialis could spin the classic mary jane into such a dazzling clog!

But what about just a regular clog, you say? Well, yes, Vialis has that, too:

Lean, clean, and devastatingly chic—that’s the Vialis Claris! We adore the sage green nubuck, but this favorite clog also comes in go-with-everything sand.

So, clunk no more in traditional clogs! Step up to Vialis’ wood soles with soul!

(Speaking of wood, have you seen this week’s Sweet Treat, the Argila Allie? Its sculpted wooden heel is truly a thing of beauty—along with the rest of its retro-inspired design! Buckle it up for 20% off when you click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page, which will whisk you to the Allie with the magic discount code to enter at checkout.)

Fashion history is a treasure trove! Forward-thinking designers regularly sift through the past to recover earlier trends to reinterpret with a modern edge.

This season some of the best new shoes have their roots in the righteous ’70s, when women’s fashion took a turn for the bold! The precarious stilettos and tight-waisted “Suzy homemaker” dresses of the 1950s and early ’60s stepped aside for chunky heels worn out and about with minis, midis, and pantsuits! Refreshing then! Refreshing now!

Behold a few of the new designs that celebrate the sexy confidence of 1970s’ style!

One of the sunniest interpretations of the spirit of the ’70s is Argila’s Allie!

We are wild about the combination of the buckled and tasseled front (so vintage!) with the hand-cut and sanded wooden heel! And the color? You just have to smile!

Of course, Chie Mihara is the reigning queen of retro-licious beauty! Check out the  ’70s sensibility  of this season’s Xeroco:

The buckles add just the right punctuation to the broad straps! The sexiness is no-nonsense and take-no-prisoners! Devastating in the best kind of way!

Another great Chie ode to the 1970s is the Rumi (a perennial Ped favorite):

Ped’s Laura swears her fashion-forward mother had a pair of identical shoes back in the 1970s! Beautiful as they may have been, Laura’s mom’s couldn’t hold a candle to the Rumi because the modern version features Chie Mihara’s signature padded footbed, the ultimate in comfort! (Ask anyone)!

Coclico also riffs on the leather patchwork so popular in the ’70s in its Valencia:

What a looker! Absolutely distinctive yet ultra-versatile. Note the subtle curve of the chunky wooden heel—Coclico is always attentive to the details!

Coclico’se retro-sassy Vidal also features this gorgeous heel:

Talk about a statement shoe! The way the back strap and hardware twins the strap and hardware over the instep is ingenious!

Coclico also takes a tip from the 70s in its cork platform designs, like the Melania:

Light and comfortable, this beauty updates the vintage look of a platform wedge by creating it in the most modern of colors: flint grey!

Another stunning cork-soled number is Fiorentini + Baker’s swinging Ding Clog:

So fun, this fringed clog is crafted with the same meticulous attention to detail as F+B’s famous boots! The Ding was love at first sight for Ped’s Laura—she immediately bought it and has been wearing it nonstop! (She loves the terra cotta color of the Indian Red, but we also have the Ding in black, if that’s more your thing.)

Speaking of clogs, Trippen’s Strahl exemplifies what can happen when a designer takes retro inspiration and runs with it:

The Strahl‘s spark lies in the 1970s, but this work of art’s fireworks are thoroughly modern! We adore how the teal edges of the black leather are echoed in the patina of the rivets and the rubber on the outsole.

So, get in the mood by listening to James Brown’s 1972 hit, and then literally “Get on the Good Foot!” Your style will be far out! Dig it!

(Psst, another groovy design, though not ’70s inspired, is Fiorentini + Baker’s Pia boot, which is this week’s Sweet Treat. Make its gorgeousness yours for 20% off by clicking “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page, which will whisk you to the Pia, with the magic discount code to enter at checkout! What a great way to step into spring!)

We can’t help it! When March comes along, we feel like tossing off our winter coats and dancing outside! Tulips and daffodils are opening to the sun! Daylight is stretching languidly into the evening! And the mercury is on the upswing . . .

Which is what trips us up every year! We always think (wish, hope) the last of winter’s chill is behind us before it really is. The temptation is to bust out our barest sandals, which leads to literally cold feet, especially after the sun goes down. It’s best to ease into the season, giving our sun-craving soles a taste of fresh air without fully exposing them to the elements. Happily, Ped has just the shoes for making the transition from nippy weather to days of ice-tea and lemonade.

Good news: you don’t have to give up your oxfords to let your tootsies taste the breeze. Just lace up Argila’s Natalie:

An oxford with air-conditioning! The sandy color is a cinch to wear with almost everything in your wardrobe, and the pinked edges are so fun!

Another terrific aerated lace-up is Trippen’s perennially popular Golf:

An ideal walking shoe, the Golf’s Euro-edgy looks and comfortable perforated leather will make you the envy of everyone you pass. (“Pardon me, where did you get those great shoes?)

Cydwoq also knows a thing or two about comfortably walking from early spring right through summer and on into fall, as evidenced by the new Malba:

Bare your heels, while keeping your toes enclosed! We’re crazy about the thong detail, which adds just the right touch to the innovative design. (Not a fan of turmeric? The Malba also comes in fresh sage.)

Another great way to cool your heels is with Cydwoq’s wonderful Orient:

The leather is KNIT! How cool is that? This easy slide immediately became a Ped favorite last year. This year we also have it in black, for those of you who favor all things noir.

“Those are all great weekend shoes,” you may be saying, “but what about something transitional for work?” The answer: Cydwoq’s Poa:

We don’t know how Cydwoq keeps coming up with artistic variations on the classic mary jane, but we’re just glad they do! Dressy, yes, but not too, the Poa stands apart with its luscious lavender leather!

Looking for a transitional heel to boost your height? Cydwoq’s Prairie is just the thing:

The perfect compromise between a sandal and a shoe, this slingback peep-toe is incredibly versatile in addition to being a sophisticated stunner!

If you like the Prairie, but you’re still wishing for something taller and juicier, say good day to Fiorentini + Baker’s Floss:

Good day, indeed! WOW! And just wait until you slide your foot inside the super supple leather of this green dream! De-lish!

Over at Ped’s main site, there are even more ways to walk from winter into warm weather. So, ease your feet back into the outside world! They’ll say, “Aaaah!” while all your fans say, “Ooooh!”

Wow, after our big birthday week, we are tired but happy campers here at Ped HQ! We’re also enjoying full-flung fall, which puts us in the mood to wear boots! (Okay, honestly, we’re always in the mood to wear boots!)

This season offers a veritable boot feast, including quite a few sporting a new height that’s a smidge taller than an ankle boot but  stops short of mid-calf. These low boots are not only sassy to see, but they also offer versatility, playing well with both pants and skirts! Here are a few of our faves:

Almost everything Chie Mihara cooks up is a tasty treat, but her new Jonathan Boot is especially delicious:

Don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what a customer in Portland e-mailed: “Hey guys – just wanted to give you some feedback on the Chie Mihara “Jonathan.” They are unbelievably comfortable. I even fell asleep in my chair wearing them. Weird, I know, but they are awesome.”

Another terrific low boot with a heel is Argila’s Suzanna Bootie:

So streamlined and stylish, this boot gets oomph from the elephant grey shade of its soft leather. Grey is the IT color of the season! Plus, the simple cinch around the top that ties in back is the perfect detail.

Want to amp up the  va-va-va-voom? Then consider Cydwoq’s steamy Texture low boot:

Meow! From the faux-croc embossed leather to the perfectly cut snub nose to the sexy heel placed directly under your weight (makes all the difference in comfort), there’s everything to like about this little black boot. (Just like a LBD, everyone needs an LBB!)

But maybe you prefer a little less femme and a little more funk in your boot, in which case, Cydwoq’s Grinder is waiting for you to lace it up!

Low lace-ups are all the rage this season, especially those with an industrial edge! But the best thing? This boot’s style will never fade—it’s a classic. (Plus, the Grinder‘s luxe leather is cobalt blue—how cool is that?)

Of course, Fiorentini + Baker has several players in the low-boot game, including the fabulous Emmy!

We can’t get enough of styles that combine sex appeal with tough-girl attitude! And we are WILD, wild, wild, about F+B’s new antiqued silver leather with natural edges! This boot + that leather = Perfection!

On the other hand, there is always something to be said for sleek minimalism, as exemplified by Trippen’s Deer Bootie:

What a lean, green style machine! The supple leather is to die for, and the zipper on the outside gives this no-fuss boot just the right edge!

What’s that? You say you love green, but you want a low boot that can go from casual to dressy in a heartbeat? Fiorentini + Baker grants your wish with the luxe and luscious Pia boot:

Here’s what a Seattle customer had to say about this green suede stunner: “Ok, now you have really done it. This new F& B Pia boots are the hottest thing I have ever seen. I can retire all other boots and shoes and die happily. They are so sexy, tough, simple, practical. My entire wardrobe has taken on a new personality. Yay!” Recommendations don’t get any better than that!

So, click on over to Ped’s main site and linger over all the low boots ready and waiting to liven up your fall! Going low will make your style high and mighty!

(By the way, this week’s Sweet Treat is one of the sexiest boots ever to stroll into the Ped warehouse: Cydwoq’s Podium! Simply click on “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to land at the Podium with the magic code that will bring 20% off at checkout!)