What we like about 21st century fashion is how open-ended it is! Just as hemlines have become wonderfully variable, boot heights are now left up to the whimsy of the wearer. Whether you like over-the-knee sexiness, mid-calf chic, or ankle-high edge, you’ll always be in style!

That said, Ped fans, we hold a special place in our hearts for booties. They’re just so fun and versatile—great with skirts and easy to wear with pants (no wrestling to get them over or under the fabric)!

This season our harvest of sweet-and-low ankle boots is especially bountiful! There are are so many juicy designs that it’s hard to know where to begin. Here’s just a taste of Ped’s bootie buffet:

Pep Monjo is best known as the genius behind Argila, but a couple years ago he started his own eponymous line. Since then, every single Pep Monjo style has become an instant classic. We are WILD (wild, I tell you) about his new Cora bootie:

The leather is so luscious, and the details are exquisitely thought-out, like the simple perforations arcing over the toe and heel. Buckle us up!

Of course, Mr. Monjo still works his magic for Argila, too, as evidenced by the gorgeous Granada:

Modern and curvy, this wood-heeled bootie takes the lace-up into chic new territory! Spanish style for miles!

Speaking of wooden heels, the one supporting Coclico’s Norma boot is particularly lovely:

The lines of the dark wood have subtle arcs that reflect the clean yet dramatic lines of the black leather upper! Plus, the .75″ platform under the toe offsets the 3″ heel to make the pitch a walkable 2.25″.

Looking for a lower heel but heightened feminine wiles? The Cydwoq Knee  is guaranteed to bring ’em to their knees:

The paisley burnt-out leather is stunning up front, and the corset-like closure is beyond sexy in back! Holy hot sauce, talk about a femme fatale!

A little less girly but no less charming, another ankle boot “with back” is Cydwoq’s Cleo:

This beauty is handmade in Burbank, CA, but it radiates European street chic! The leaf-shaped strap across the back offers function in stellar form and offers people behind you something to see!

Want a zing of color for your ankles? Cydwoq’s got just the thing: the Beacon bootie!

A dash of red adds zest to any day! The wonderful-to-wear Beacon, with its comfy round toe, is one of our big-time faves this season!

Trippen also does some dazzling things with color. Feast your eyes on the new Liverpool:

A fusion of a retro 60’s rock ‘n’ roll boot with a modern-day Aussie pull-on, the lightweight Liverpool, with its brilliant purple elastic sides, may put you in mind of the Fab Four as you dash down the street looking fabulous!

As we said, these are just few tasty morsels from the wide-ranging menu of delicious booties at Ped’s main site! While you do the walking, let your ankle boots do the  stylish talking!

(Psst, this week’s Sweet Treat, the Cydwoq Marmot, falls into “shootie” territory—a little more than a shoe, a little less than a boot, but just right for everyday wear! We love it! Just click “be sweet to your feet” at the bottom of the box on the left of most Ped pages to land at the Marmot with the special code that will bring 20% off at checkout!)

Ped fans, it’s been a while since we’ve posted a Tale of the Sole, and since summer makes us long for a vacation, it’s the perfect time to tell the following tale. Let’s join Ped fan Anna for a vicarious jaunt to London. Here’s her report about her Ped-happy trip:

This fall I travelled to London. Black Trippen Casanovas were the perfect choice for spending hours on a plane and at the airport, as well as for extensive walking on stone-paved streets. I felt stylish yet comfortable even when I was on my feet all day.

Wearing her Casanovas, Anna takes in the ornamental monkeys at the Tower of London. (Luckily, wire-mesh primates can’t get their paws on her Flap Bag!)

The Casanovas are a great shoe since they can be easily slipped on and off.  They are casual enough to be worn all day but can also be dressed up in the evening.

Anna’s Casanovas go for a whirl and take in the view on the London Eye.

I carried all of my essentials in my black Cydwoq flap bag, which was roomy enough to also store small souvenir purchases, maps, and, of course, snacks.  The leather and style of both the shoes and bag go with just about anything in my wardrobe!

London calling! Anna looks cracking in her Trippen and Cydwoq!

I received compliments from several women who teach fashion design in the University Arts London. They immediately recognized my Trippens and wanted to know where I got them (and, of course, I shared with them my source!)  Thank you, Ped, for keeping my travels fun and stylin’!

THANK YOU, Anna, for spreading the Ped love across the pond and making us smile!

As a token of gratitude for sharing her travel tale, Ped is delighted to give Anna a $100 gift certificate!

Do you have a Tale of the Sole? Tell us—and show us (we LOVE pictures!!!)—what happened to you while wearing something from Ped, and you, too, might be the recipient of $100 in Ped credit. We’d love to share your sole-ful story on the blog, so let us know what in the world you’ve been doing in your Ped!

So far, Summer 2013 has been a doozy, Ped fans! Chilly days! Sweltering days! Stormy days!

But here’s one forecast guaranteed to make you smile: sunshine and blue skies at the Ped Summer Sale! Those gorgeous sandals you’ve had your eye on since March? Chances are they now have an even prettier price!

Below is just a sample of the bargains currently bursting into bloom at Ped:

One of our favorite sandals this season is Accessoire’s Alabama because it’s vintage-girly and unlike anything else strolling down the street:

Everything about this comfortable sweetheart—from the combo of coral suede and printed leather to its air of 1940s Hollywood—is unusual and beautiful. Lovely at $358, it’s stunning at $179!

Another shoe that charms with a variety of leathers is the Chie Mihara Isias oxford:

The Isias is also available in a rosy version, but we’re fond of the mix pictured because a good metallic shines especially brightly in the summertime! Sparkling at $388, the Isias dazzles at $299!

If you fancy an all-metallic oxford, Fiorentini + Baker has your number with the Gip:

The Italian attention to detail is spectacular! lFor instance, the pinked edge of the tongue sends the Gip into the stratosphere of style! Fun at $458, it’s a party for your feet at $358!

Looking for an everyday shoe that’s more understated? Consider the streamlined beauty of the Cliff Dweller Norma:

When a shoe is cut to perfection, it doesn’t need bells and whistles to get whistles! Gorgeous at $238, the Norma‘s a knockout at $189! (It also comes in blue.)

If you like a run-around flat but long for a zing of color, say hello to the Vialis Pilar!

Simple yet saucy, the Pilar will instantly become your favorite! The only question is whether to pick cherry red suede (pictured) or curry mustard suede? Zesty at $212, the Pilar‘s spice is even nicer at $169!

Cydwoq has some particularly lovely flats this season, too, such as the airy Cover:

The holy grail of shoes, the Cover effortlessly goes from running errands Saturday afternoon out to a cocktail party in the evening! A find at $304, it’s a treasure at $239!

Of course, summer isn’t summer until your toes come out to play in a great pair of sandals! One of the best ever is the Cydwoq Copy:

Practical meets sexy in this fantastic sandal, which is also available in black. Bonus: its heel design makes the Copy an ideal traveling companion! Juicy at $216, it’s even more delicious at $169!

What’s that? You prefer a slide? Then perhaps the Cydwoq Hurricane has your name on it:

When you slip on this strap-happy and comfortable sandal, you’ll think, “This is the life!” (And you’ll be right!) Wonderful at $224, the Hurricane is a total pleasure at $179!

Even more fresh and breezy deals are waiting for you at Ped’s main site! Pick something pretty and let the sunshine in!

Ped fans, we know how it is. You fall in love with a pair of rockin’ shoes, sandals, or boots, but then you resist their siren call because you can’t envision what you’d wear them with—and who wants to spend money on something that’s lovely yet languishes in the closet?

Don’t despair, we’re here to help! Below, you’ll find ideas for how to wear several of our bolder designs this season. With luck, these outfits will jump-start your own creativity, and before you know it your imagination will be off and running with ways your sole desire would work with your wardrobe.

Not surprisingly, one of the most whimsical styles this season comes from Chie Mihara! Her Ingra is the essence of  “summer,” but its color palette may seem challenging at first glance. It’s actually more adaptable than you might think. Here’s one way we’d love to wear it:

This easy-going dress from Cotélac falls just above the knee, with a hint of a drop waist and a dash of 1920s pizazz, which works perfectly with the Ingra’s oxford sensibility. We’ve added Sophie Digard’s Etoiles necklace for added flapper-esque flair. Nothing here matches per se, but it all “goes” in a wonderful way! Sunday brunch, anyone?

Another Chie Mihara shoe that we adore is the Obara, with its mix of textures and colors. Don’t underestimate its versatility:

The lovely Accessoire Babeth is perfect for a night on the town, but it plays equally well as a casual day shoe:

We love the look of a wedge platform with cropped trousers—it’s the ideal antidote to frumpiness! We’re also all for mixing patterns! Combining Epice’s striped Montauk Scarf with the abstract floral of the Cotélac top creates a visual party that will have people smiling everywhere you go.

As every Ped fan knows, we advocate boots all year long, but we realize some people think boots and sundresses look a bit jeune. But they don’t have to, as illustrated by this use of Fiorentini + Baker’s Nicky Boot:

This is how to go retro-mod while still looking sexy and modern! The clean and bold lines of Cydwoq’s Bright Bag work beautifully with the dress and booties—three easy pieces for day-tripping in the city of your choice!

If your penchant for vintage runs to an earlier era, check out this idea for showing off the Vialis Zarita:

Red will always turn heads, especially when you look like a 1940s Hollywood starlet! (By the way, read this study of just how persuasive wearing red can be.) Just for fun, we’ve pushed the red envelope with Jamie Joseph’s knockout Round Carnelian Ring!

See? When you open your mind to the possibilities, every pair of Ped shoes becomes infinitely wearable! (Otherwise, we wouldn’t carry it.) The whole idea is to have fun with what you wear! Go forth and be bold with your soles!

Remember how post-before-last we told you Ari Balouzian, founder of the new Cliff Dweller line, is also an accomplished composer and musician? Well, feast your eyes and ears on “Kenmere Ave,” a new short documenting the care Cydwoq takes handcrafting each and every pair of shoes, which features a beautiful soundtrack by Ari:

Now you know why Cydwoq shoes seem to positively radiate good energy—so many loving hands have contributed to their production!

As Ped fans know, summer days are always sunnier with a pair of Cydwoq sandals on your feet! We’ve brought back lots of favorite styles this season (e.g. the Tomcat, the Thong, and the Naked), but we also have new designs that sizzle and pop! Here are a few to make your toes tingle:

A good black sandal is like money in the bank—it definitely compounds interest! One of the best is Cydwoq’s Train:

The design is gladiator-esque but without the clunk, and the stand-alone toe ring absolutely makes this Train‘s whistle blow! Woot woot!

Cydwoq’s meticulously constructed (you saw for yourself!) all-leather soles offer miles of comfortable walking. The Cedar, for instance would make an ideal traveling companion:

Among its many virtues: the elastic-loop and button closure holds your foot securely; the caramel color is both rich and versatile; and the v-topped t-strap makes any foot look slender and graceful!

We know, we know—as easy as the button-and-loop is, many of you simply want to be able to slide in and go! Cydwoq’s Carbon lets you do just that in red-hot style:

The angular upper is cut from one piece of leather, with only the buckle strap added with a well-placed rivet. So cool! We like how the Carbon‘s buckle lets you cinch up the fit for extra security. Once the buckle’s set, this jazzy flat slides on easy as you please!

Another sandal that lets you adjust a buckle to customize the fit without compromising your ability to slip it on is the Cydwoq Trend:

We constantly get requests for brown sandals that require zero work but look great! Voila! Also, the enclosed heel of the Trend makes it another savvy travel choice.

Speaking of enclosed heels, Cydwoq includes one in the design of THE show-stopping flat sandal of the season, the Laser:

Ultra easy to wear, the Laser is devastatingly sexy with its ankle-strap sassiness! And the multicolored marbled leather? GORGEOUS!

Cydwoq sandals are sweet soles to have and to wear from this day forward—perhaps even ’til death do you part. They’re that well-made and timeless!

(Psst, you have just three more days to eat up one of the sweetest Sweet Treats ever: the Fiorentini + Baker’s Emmy Boot! Just click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to land at the Emmy, where you’ll find the magic code that will bring a delicious 20% off at checkout!)