At Ped, we have a long history of loving the traditional oxford. You can’t beat a classic lace-up that never goes out of style! So, we’re amused but also delighted that this season oxfords are THE shoes to have—the sexy schoolgirl look is definitely in! (Should we thank Gossip Girl?) The wonderful thing about the trend, though, is that after it’s come and gone, the timeless oxford will still be as sophisticated as ever.

So study up on all the different oxfords we have at Ped—no matter which you pick, you’ll end up on the honor roll, graduating summa cum style! Below are several of our favorite lace-ups this season.

For gals who love a heel, Chie Mihara will have you looking both demure and too hot to handle in the Cibeles:

We are crazy about the way Chie’s paired a 3″ chunky wooden heel with a clean-lined oxford in black leather. Classic marries funky, and the result is one gorgeous shoe! Sass it out, sisters!

Another heeled oxford from our gal Chie is the eye-popping Ganz:

Ms. Mihara always works magic with the way she cuts and combines leathers. The teal and grey appliques are so unexpected and pretty with the taupe body and lilac laces!

Speaking of working magic with leather, Cydwoq knows exactly how to cast a spell:

Every time we look at the Recess oxford, all we can say is, “Wow.” The combination of the brown floral-embossed body of the shoe with the black antiqued leather where the laces come together is visually stunning. And the perfectly placed wooden heel—well, that’s just bonus. Oxford goes arty!

For you Ped fans who love a flat, Cydwoq has your oxford number:

This Plot Oxford is such a practical shoe, but that doesn’t mean it’s not edgy and fun. Who says an oxford has to lace up the middle?

Clearly, Cydwoq’s Rafi has enjoyed taking the traditional oxford into modern territory because here’s another winning design he delivered to Ped this season:

Don’t you love the Set‘s minimalism? Just the basics, ma’am! And who couldn’t use a go-to black oxford, especially one that looks so terrific with patterned socks and striped tights (think about it)?

Here’s a Ped haiku in honor of our affection for the oxford:

Laced-up and bow-tied

Oxford, you are a classic

Forever stylish

As Ped fans know, I have a serious thing for green. Nevertheless, when fall rolls around and the green world of summer transforms into a sea of orange, red, purple, and ochre, my heart sings! To celebrate, here’s a tempting array of Ped treasures to put you in the spirit of autumn.

Who doesn’t love the Fiorentini + Baker Emma boot? Well, now we’ve got your favorite in drop-dead gorgeous red:

People in Berkeley will tell you that I practically live in my black Emma’s, and Ped’s Laura has them in caramel. But this red edition may be the prettiest of them all! Combine old-school Italian craftsmanship with red leather and sexy lacing in the back, and you’ve got an unbeatable boot!

I love green, but the color that has Laura’s heart is orange. So, you’ll understand why this Jamie Joseph ring is on her personal wish list:

The stone is orange chalcedony—thought to encourage happiness and a positive attitude—and it’s beautifully set in 14kt gold mounted on a sterling silver band. Why not put a little fire on your finger?

Everyone at Ped Central burst out with oohs and aahs when 49 Square Miles’ fall bags arrived because those SF girls have added “loganberry” to their leather colors. It makes us think of maple leaves and chrysanthemums:

This Starlet Top Zip is a new style for Ped, too. I fell in love with it because not only does the bag embody the best of 49 Square Miles—supple leather, hammered brass hardware, and fantastic detailing—but its two straps also let you choose between wearing it as a short over-the-shoulder or handheld bag and slinging it  across your body courier-style.

Another beautiful new bag in a rich fall color is Cydwoq’s Oak in “Alma brick”:

Cydwoq’s Rafi took his cue for this design from bowling ball bags. We love the clean-lined shape, and, needless, to say the leather is luscious!

But autumn is not without its greens (yay!)—they just tend to be more of the olive and moss variety, as embodied in the Cydwoq Vote:

This is one of those shoes that once you put it on you won’t want to take it off. It’s practical and comfortable yet unlike any other kick-around shoe you’re likely to find.

Maybe, though, you want a shoe that doesn’t just shine with one fall color. You want one that dazzles with a combination of autumnal hues. Chie Mihara has your number:

Ped just added the Gretchen to our Chie lineup, and it’s instantly become one of our favorites! The tan top-stitching and bow are just so pretty with the deep blue suede toe and cocoa suede heel.

Friends, you don’t have to turn your back on black—just spice it up with some seasonal color! You’ll look as fresh as a crisp fall day.

During the first week in October, I made my biannual trip to Paris for the international shoe show (and, of course, for a dose of Parisian culture, shopping, and food). I had so much fun! Although I didn’t notice any overriding new trends—just a lot more black—I do have some wonderful tips about things on tap from Cydwoq, Trippen, and Fiorentini + Baker.

At the show Cydwoq and Trippen had their booths right next to each other, which makes sense since they both appeal to customers who appreciate edgy, arty, and comfortable shoes that have an ethical and environmentally aware sensibility. Michael of Trippen bought a new espresso machine, which he set up in Cydwoq’s booth, so you can guess where everybody gathered!

The beloved new espresso maker on the left, and Cydwoq's Rafi and Trippen's Michael enjoying its output on the right.

Cydwoq has gorgeous washed leathers for spring and summer in beautiful shades of caramel, dark brown, and yellow. Trippen, meanwhile, fulfilled my constant quest for green shoes, plus I discovered great silver and steel metallics at Trippen. And, yes, the popular wedge and cups soles will be coming your way again for spring (we love them).

The Baker in Fiorentini + Baker, Deborah Baker has one of the best smiles in the business!

Meanwhile, over at Fiorentini + Baker, I fell for the relaxed tall boots and low ankle boots in suede. And get ready for the F+B triple-buckle sandal that’s coming to Ped for warm weather!

Plus, Fiorentini+ Baker is offering styles in lovely new greens and blues. Ped fans, you will swoon!

When I wasn’t working, I shopped and ate and ate and ate some more. My shoe pals and I noshed on great Lebanese food at Noura, and we made our regular pilgrimage to Fish La Boissonnerie for homemade bread and, yes, fish. And, needless to say, we all drank a lot of coffee!

The weather was beautiful the first two days, so I took time to visit the Jardin de Tuileries.

Jardin de Tuileries.

Unfortunately, it rained the rest of the time, but since I had to be inside anyway, it didn’t really matter. After all, who can complain when my walk home every evening offered this view?

We love this time of year at Ped Central! The mornings are crisp, the leaves are turning brilliant colors (Laura the orange-lover is in heaven), and the air smells so good! Although we advocate wearing tall boots anytime you like—so cute with a light summer dress!—when fall rolls around, they become de rigueur daily wear.

I always keep you Ped fans in mind when I study what boots to offer for fall and winter. Your feedback helps me so much in making selections that stay comfortable all day, offer versatility, flash the ‘zazz, and still accommodate a range of calf sizes (many Ped boots let you adjust the fit depending on whether you’re a skinny Minnie or a curvy Katie). And, of course, they’re all beautifully made and designed to last for years.

Here are a few of the full-length boots that are high on our list this season.

Okay, Ped fans, it’s no secret that the Cydwoq Game Boot is my absolute favorite:

As you can imagine, I see a lot of beautiful boots, so my powers of resistance are well fortified (otherwise, I’d be broke). But when Cydwoq’s Rafi showed me the Game, I was a goner! I simply adore it! The 1″ wooden heel is super easy to wear. The Italian leather is beyond gorgeous. The dart at the top of the shaft makes the Game extra calf-friendly! And those windows–those sexy little windows running up the back, well, oo la la, do they ever bring in the compliments!

Another favorite here at Ped HQ is Trippen’s March:

I decided to show you the rear view because the exposed seams are so fabulous the way they curve around from the front of the boot and run up the back! Plus, the March features Trippens’ t-shaped wedge sole, which has a legion of fans devoted to its comfort. And the color? Well, see for yourself—pretty as a Maple leaf or a glass of cabernet.

Another Trippen boot with backside interest is the Medea:

Crafted from buttery buffalo leather (you have to touch it to believe how sinfully soft it is), this beauty offers flirty lacing up the back that’s not only sexy but also functional. Notice that it extends below the fullest part of the calf, meaning you can adjust it to fit your individual leg. Once you’ve got everything just right, then you can leave it be, thanks to the Medea’s full inside zipper that lets you get in and out of this boot in a breeze.

But don’t just take our word for it. Ped customer S.N. recently wrote from Seattle,

“I’m in love with my Medea boots.  They are so cool and soft and overall awesome.  I also really appreciate that they can be expanded in case my calves do the same.”

Giraudon’s versatile Miranda boot also has a great system for fitting a range of calves:

Featuring classic riding-boot good looks, the Miranda’s secret is an elastic panel on the inside of the calf and another hidden under the boot loop on the outside. Neither interferes with the clean lines of this brown stunner but both love your leg like no tomorrow.

Those are just a tasty sampling of the feast of tall boots spread out at the Ped site. (Hello, did someone say Fiorentini + Baker? Mmmmm. Our delicious reorder is due in shortly–e-mail us if you’d like to be notified when it arrives!) So kick up your heels as you kick up the leaves and enjoy!