We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again (and again): We love a beautiful wedge! Let us count the ways: 1) they give our height a boost; 2) they provide solid support; and 3) they’re easy to wear (no balancing act required)!

Now with the retro rage for all things 1970s, the wedge has gotten even better by extending into a full platform under the forefoot and toe. The lift up front offsets the inches in back, so you get all of the height without the steep pitch! High style + high comfort = A tall drink of happiness!

Here are just a few ways to step up this summer:

As we mentioned, most of the platform wedges rock the retro look, but Accessoire’s knockout Babeth exudes less 1970s glam and more 1940s Hollywood glamor:

The navy suede is positively luminous, and the tie at the ankle makes this sandal super chic! Can’t you just imagine a pinup queen like Betty Grable breaking hearts in this beauty? (In fact, check out the sandals in this photo of 1940s movie star Yvonne De Carlo!)

What would happen if a designer took the best of  the 1940s and mixed it with the boldness of the 1970s? Coclico has the answer: the Mori!

The design of the suede upper flirts with the ’40s, while the chunky yet lightweight cork platform echos the ’70s, all in one sweet modern package! We love the versatility of the taupe suede version pictured, but the Moris comes in a lustrous cobalt blue, too!

Coclico also uses this comfortable cork sole for the equally wonderful Melania:

The wedge platform slopes from 2.75″ at the heel to 1.5″ under the toe, making the pitch an easy-peasy 1.25″. If you’re looking for something a little brighter than this rich hazelnut version, consider the Melania in sunny dandelion!

Vialis adopts the same heel:toe ratio as Coclico for its two cork-soled lovelies. First up, the Vialis Jacinta:

How cool is this sandal? We can’t get enough of how the heel strap curves up from the inside arch and then laces diagonally through the two bands over the foot! Plus, the asphalt grey suede pairs easily with most any outfit.

The Vialis Francyn is also worth writing home about:

Several designers are extending the uppers down onto the soles this season, but Vialis goes one better by taking the suede down and around the back! (Not to mention the woven work on the toe band is magnificent!)

Wood also makes a wonderful wedge platform, as demonstrated by the Trippen Strahl:

So much to love here! From the twice-dyed leather to the rubber on the outsole that echoes the underside of the leather to the radiating strap design to the smooth sanded wood, the Strahl is a height-enhancing treat!

But perhaps our favorite platform wedge this season comes from those Italian shoe maestros at Fiorentini + Baker. Feast your eyes on the stunning Dany:

Now this is how to rock the ’70s retro look! The bold suede t-strap with its stud-a-licious good looks is guaranteed to make you the center of attention! The dark grey “asfalto” version pictured is both unique and versatile, but we also have the Dany in a winner-takes-all mattone red!

So many great ways to wedge your way into summer. Get high on shoes! Power to the platform, right on!

(By the way, don’t miss this week’s fantastic Sweet Treat: Fiorentini + Baker’s Nicky ankle boot! Just click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to be whisked to the Nicky, where you’ll find the magic code that takes 20% off at checkout.)

It’s that time, Ped fans—our Spring Special is GO! Take 20% off any and all full-price goods by entering code “SPRING ZING” at checkout! The code expires at midnight PST on Friday, May 17, so you have four days to collect some spring treasure! On your marks, get set, shop! Most of all, have fun!

Clockwise from the top: Chie Mahara Sandia, Cydwoq Link, Accessoire Bonheur, Argila Delilah, Fiorentini + Baker Pilly, Chie Mihara Obara, Trippen Todi, Cliff Dweller Runner, Fiorentini + Baker Dina, Cydwoq Elect, Fiorentini + Baker Eliza Oxford, Vialis Zarita, Accessoire Bahia, and Cliff Dweller Mary.

Ped fans of a certain age may remember a trend from younger days involving wood-soled sandals with a single stiff leather strap over the toe, made by a company which shall go nameless, but which rhymes with “Proctor Skoles.” Everyone gushed about how “comfortable” these heel-slapping sandals were, even though our feet were often crying for mercy.

Fortunately, times have changed! Yes, wood soles are back, but they’re a world away from the semi-torturous sandals of the past. The 21st century versions truly are wonderful to wear! These new woods are not only gorgeous, but they also provide sturdy support while remaining delightfully cool on sweltering days!

Below are just a few ways to look good in wood this summer.

Argila turned our heads with their wooden wedges because of the leather border rimming the bottom—such a stunning detail that makes all the difference! Exhibit A: the Argila Clarisa:

So delicious that just pasting the pic into this post makes us practically drool on the keyboard! The natural wood is gorgeous in contrast with the chocolate brown and caramel-colored leather!

Vialis also has fun doing unusual things with leather in several of their wood-soled styles, like the Suzannah:

Isn’t it cool how the Suzanna‘s vertical strap at the ankle travels all the way under the sole? Plus, the navy blue leather is so of the moment!

Vialis also manages to make wood-soled styles simmer with sexiness, as evidenced by the knockout Quinta:

The Quinta is perfect for fans of all things black! Its leather-wrapped heel, dark wooden sole, and beautifully woven leather upper offer maximal impact with effortless ease!

Another sandal clog with eye-opening artistic leatherwork is the Trippen Fiocco:

The angular front of this stunner consists of two intersecting loops—ingenious! We also love how the sexy ankle strap originates on the inside of the natural wood sole. So innovative! And then there’s the fact that it’s RED! (Love, love, love red sandals!)

Trippen sands and contours its soles to allow your skin to enjoy the tactile quality of the wood! Another spectacular Trippen sandal is the Lift:

Satiny smooth wood below and buttery soft elk leather above—it doesn’t get more sensational than the Lift! Plus, you can cinch or loosen the central thong to create the ruched effect you want.

If even a low heel is too much for you, Trippen brings the wood down to the ground with the Swing:

We’re wild about Trippen’s twice-dyed leathers, and this season they’ve started matching the rubber on the outsole to the underside of the leather. Too much fun! Plus, the rivets anchoring the leather to the wood are different colors!

Finally, we sing the praises of a perennial wood-soled favorite—the Cydwoq Revolt—which is one of the first designs Rafi offered at Cydwoq!

Classics become classics for good reasons—timeless style and endless comfort! We especially like how the Revolt’s top strap is anchored to the heel on the inside, holding your foot securely on the contoured wooden sole. (In addition to the brown version shown, we also offer the Revolt in twice-dyed black with a yellow edge.)

There are more clog sandals for your pleasure over at Ped’s main site, so go explore! Just like a picnic in the woods is a summer treat, these woods are a picnic for your feet! Wood is good for the sole!

(Psst, the Sweet Treat this week is Cydwoq’s boss Postage Bag, which would look fab with any of the sandals pictured above! Simply click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to land at the Postage Bag with the magic code that will bring 20% off when entered at checkout! Zing!)

Ped fans, sorry to leave you hanging! We meant to give you another color infusion much sooner, but this, that, and the other thing kept us from it. Nevertheless, it’s never too late to sing the BLUES! Definitely one of the “it” colors, blue comes in myriad shades this fall. Let’s explore, shall we?

If anyone knows a thing or two about color, it’s Chie Mihara! Check out her blue-licious Zuli heeled oxford:

The platform may be ’70s retro, but the styling is utterly modern. The Zuli‘s combination of matte black leather (love the perforated edges!!!) and cobalt blue suede is mesmerizing!

Need something a little more conservative (but not too) for the office? Cydwoq’s Trasmit is just the semi-rebellious ticket:

How cool is this lake-blue pump? Sure, it’s “lady” enough to wear with jacket and skirt, but that faux croc toe let’s everyone know you’re ready to take a bite out of them with your style!

If you like that particular shade of blue but want something casual, consider lacing up the Cydwoq Display:

Cydwoq remakes the oxford in a new way, with angled edges and a squared-off toe! And the lake-blue leather once again looks luscious!

Cydwoq takes blue into boot territory with the terrific Statue:

The way the design shows off the natural edge along the exposed seams, in contrast with the Statue‘s inky blue leather, is stunning! What a rock star—this low boot will have people asking for your autograph!

Natural-edged seams also amp up  the charm of Trippen’s California bootie:

The tumbled leather of this back-laced lovely is sooooo soft, and the petrol hue is a muted teal blue. Fun, funky, and comfortable—Trippen does it again! Swing that fringe!

Another blue boot that will be your true-blue friend forever is Fiorentini + Baker’s Emmy:

As many of you have discovered, the quality of Fiorentini + Baker’s craftsmanship make their boots worth every penny! We particularly love how the Emmy‘s tough-girl design looks in this romantic Blue Moon color—as pretty as a night sky!

But maybe buckles, laces, and zippers are not what you have in mind; all you want is an easy slip-on in a cool color. Behold the Vialis Kate!

A clog unlike any other you’ll encounter—the leather-lined wool felt will bring the house down with its rich petrol color! But the Kate‘s beauty is more than skin deep; it also feels oh-so comfortable on, with a curved sole designed to roll with the motion of your stride!

Our last blue indulgence doesn’t quite follow the rules, but it’s just so cool we can’t resist including it! Take a gander at Trippen’s Treasure:

This brown boot gets its high-voltage “wow’ from its electric-blue edges! The exposed seams open and close to flow over the boot in wavy rivulets! Beyond gorgeous! When you want to wear a show stopper, your fortune lies in the Treasure!

So many blue-tastic choices—luckily, every option is a winner! Who knew having the blues could be so much fun?

(By the way, you have until Tuesday to snag this week’s blue-edged Sweet Treat: the Trippen Wind Boot! Click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to land at the Wind with the magic discount code that will bring a sweet 20% off at checkout!)

In our last post, we showed you a few options for taking boots as low as they go. Today we move on to ankle boots that stand a little taller, peaking just above the ankle bone. It’s a height we love at Ped because it looks fantastic with skirts and plays nicely with jeans (without having to confront the over-or-inside-the-boot dilemma).

First up, one of our favorites this season,the Coclico Willa:

In a word: YUM! The gorgeous Willa is on trend with its laceless good looks, yet it’s streamlined and classic, so it will never go out of style!

Of course, laces also have their place, as illustrated by Argila’s Lauren:

This suede and leather beauty checks three things off the au courant list in one easy sweep. Wooden wedge? Check. Oxford styling? Check. Ankle boot? Check! And scene (or should we say “seen”)!

Taking things in a more mod direction, the Artisan from Cydwoq has everyone at Ped HQ swooning:

Wow. Just wow! The brown leather lattice over the textured metallic leather, sparkling with a subtle plaid pattern, is FAN-TAS-TIC! Can’t you just imagine Megan on Mad Men wearing this with a micro mini ? (Don would be a helpless drooling puppy.)

Looking for something a little less overtly feminine?  Then get your attitude on in the Trippen Fence:

The sliced-up and laced-up (in back) Fence has held court at Ped for several years, but it still looks fresh and futuristic! Great barefoot but also sensational flashing colorful tights between its straps, the Fence will make friends everywhere you walk because everyone’s going to ask where you got your boots!

There are plenty more ankle-high ankle boots to tempt you over at Ped’s main site. (And just to ring the Fiorentini + Bell one more time, the new Pansy is super juicy!)

Stay tuned because we’re about to heighten the boot interest again in the next day or two.