Ped fans, you know how it goes: you’re window shopping on the Internet when you run across a shoe or a bag that makes your heart beat faster. You think, “Oooh, I LOVE that!”  Then you quickly rein yourself in with the follow-up question, “But what would I wear it with?

We know certain styles and colors may seem daunting. Chances are, though, they’re easier to wear than you think! To help you see the possibilities and spur your imagination, we offer a few visual prods below.

All the gals at Ped HQ are committed to ease—the less fuss in getting ourselves out the door, the better. With that in mind, each of the following five ready-to-go outfits consist of only four elements.

Here Vialis’s Claudette peep-toe clog offers an ideal complement to the the textural interest of the drape-y top and skirt. Add the Cydwoq Cedar Bag in turmeric, and all the colors become richer! Easy and elegant.

Maybe you want to incorporate a mod Mad Men-esque look into your wardrobe?

It’s all about geometry and balance! We love the chunky-heeled Coclico Vidal paired with this fun shift dress! Square everything up with Fiorentini + Baker’s sleek Milano Shopper and Jamie Joseph’s Smoky Quartz Ring. (Did we mention every Ped item in this look is on sale?)

If you have a penchant for black and your aesthetic trends toward urban sophistication, why not give it an artistic edge?

Riveting (literally)! Cydwoq’s versatile Bright Bag and Trippen’s fantastic Agave sandal boot anchor the dazzling patterns of the skirt and jacket. Sure, it’s “a lot of look,” as Tim Gunn would say, but it’s a lot of look we like!

What’s that? You say you simply want something comfortable to dash from class to lunch and then off to run errands? No problem!

Easy as pie and just as tasty! Fiorentini + Baker’s Ding Clog‘s fringe echos the movement of the striped skirt, and the Dean Towner Bag makes an ideal everyday satchel.

Maybe you’d like to amp up the femininity for a garden party or date night? If so, florals and jewel tones are your best friends!

Although not exact matches (that would look twee), Dean’s green suede Thimble Bag, Jamie Joseph’s Orange Chalcedony Ring, and Accessoire’s Sagan in the prettiest shade of dahlia all work with the dress’s colorful palette!

And to demonstrate the versatility of these styles, imagine how terrific  F+B’s Ding Clog from outfit #4 would look with the shift dress in the second outfit, or how beautiful outfit #1’s Vialis Claudette would be with the skirt in outfit #4. Feel like creating edgy contrast? Then envision pairing the Trippen Agave from outfit #3 with either outfit #1 or #5! Fun and unexpected!

A great way to figure out how a tempting shoe or bag might work with your wardrobe is to play around—like we did—at Polyvore!

(Speaking of tempting bags, this week’s Sweet Treat is Cydwoq’s Flap Bag! Get Flap happy for 20% off by clicking “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page, which will take you to the Flap Bag with a magic code to enter at checkout.)

I’ve written before about Ped’s high standards for any line we carry. Just to reiterate: 1) the company must have a commitment to social and environmental ethics; 2) the items must exhibit outstanding craftsmanship using the best materials; 3) the designs must be comfortable and easy to wear; and 4) the goods must be gorgeous and have style for miles!!! Which is why I’m so excited about the newest member of Ped’s family: Dean Leathergoods.

Dean was born in Los Angeles in 1999 when its founder couldn’t find a watchband that combined vintage quality with a modern sensibility. He decided to design and make what he had in mind. And we’re so glad he did because 13 years down the road, Dean is producing some of the finest leather goods we’ve ever encountered, each meticulously crafted by hand in the Dean L.A. studio. The materials are luxe. The designs are interesting and architectural. And the colors are eye-popping!

Take a look!

The quickest way to our hearts at Ped HQ is with a small bag for those times when we only need to carry a few items (e.g. cell, keys, ID, and cash). Dean’s Rivet Wallet is just the thing!

Perfect! We especially love the wrist strap that lets us slip it on and go! But that strap also detaches so the Rivet Wallet can easily slip into a larger bag, where it keeps the bibs sorted out from the bobs.

At the other end of the size spectrum is Dean’s wonderful Suede Tote:

What a gorgeous way to haul everything you need for a day on the go—books, files, even a small laptop! And the suede is so delicious to touch!

Speaking of things that you might slip into that tote, couldn’t your iPad use a classy new cover?

We love the lean elegance that characterizes Dean’s designs. Undo the twin rivets of this clean-lined case to reveal an interior with four elastic corner straps to hold your iPad securely without obscuring the screen.

That laptop case would also fit sweetly into Dean’s smashing Thimble Bag:

This knockout everyday bag takes its name from the two stainless steel thimbles that attach the shoulder strap to the bag. With Dean, hardware always marries form and function in aesthetic wedded bliss! (By the way, we also have the Thimble Bag in black leather and fuchsia suede, too.)

Looking for something a little more capacious that could work as an overnight bag? Feast your eyes on the Dean Bell Bottom Bag:

Just looking at its picture, you can practically feel how buttery the leather is! Plus, Dean realized an extra-big bag needs an extra-hearty strap made to stay on your shoulder, so they lined the Bell Bottom Bag‘s generous shoulder strap with suede to help it stay put! (We also offer this beauty in brown.)

Looker for something a little leaner? Check out the simple yet edgy Dean Zip Clutch:

A charming companion for a night on the town, the Zip Clutch opens to reveal two credit card slots and a larger slot, perfect for holding concert tickets.

When you need to carry a bit more, like a book to read on the train or plane, Dean’s Towner Bag has you covered:

Every season, Ped’s Laura falls in love with one item above and beyond all others, and this spring it’s the Towner Bag! From the long leather tab ducking under the silver bar on its front flap to its cool woven sides and double-buckled shoulder strap, the Towner is truly crush-worthy!

So bag your old bag, and start a meaningful relationship with Dean! It’s sure to last for years!

(Speaking of beautiful bags, have you checked out this week’s Sweet Treat? It’s Cydwoq’s stellar Stamp Bag! Click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to land at the Stamp Bag with the code that will bring a welcome 20% off at checkout! Swinging!)

Ped fans, it’s time for our bi-annual flash discount!!! Through this Friday, May 11, just enter “MAYDAY” at checkout and receive 20% off all full-price goods!

Something catch your eye on the Ped color wheel? Here’s how to reach it (clockwise from F+B’s fabulous green shoe at the top): Fiorentini + Baker Eliza Oxford, Argila Allie, Fiorentini + Baker Ding Clog, Coclico Yoni, Trippen Bora, Vialis Claudette, and Cydwoq Cobra.

Have fun shopping for ways to sashay through May (and June and July and August…) ! Remember, the discount code is pffft after Friday, May 11.