Ped fans, suede is everywhere this season! It looks fantastic and feels sumptuously soft, but how much do you really know about suede?

Here’s a quick lesson. The word “suede” comes from the French “gants de suede,” meaning “gloves of Sweden,” a term first used in the mid-19th century. Tanners create suede by sanding the underside of leather to yield a soft nap. Ever wondered what the difference between suede and nubuck is? Well, nubuck results from sanding the exterior of a hide. Both suede and nubuck feel wonderful, but nubuck is less supple and a little more rough-and-tumble.

We adore suede not only for its tactile quality, but also for how it enriches color! This spring and summer, Ped has suede styles galore in glorious shades perfect for soaking up the sun. Take a look!

Accessoire is a virtuoso when it comes to color-saturated suede—it’s what they do best! Bask in the beauty of the Accessoire Bahia:

Accessoire calls this color “papaya,” and it certainly is juicy! What an easy way to make a sundress even sunnier!

One of Accessoire’s many charms is their ability to give their designs an aura of vintage romance, as they do with the Alabama:

This lovely sandal looks like something Lana Turner would have worn in 1940s Hollywood. Glam meets chic in Accessoire’s combination of butterfly-printed leather and coral-pink suede!

Another feminine sandal in a beautiful shade of suede is Chie Mihara’s Gipsy:

Could that cobalt blue be any more luminous? We also love the way Chie contrasts the airy straps up front with the enclosed heel in back. Now that’s a phat flat!

Looking for something less girly? Another down-to-earth sandal made in suede is Pep Monjo’s Angelina:

The grey suede complements the urban edge of this style, and since grey is a neutral, it works with all your favorite warm-weather clothes.

Fiorentini + Baker takes suede higher and in a retro direction with its 1970s-inspired Dina sandal:

Holy hotness! The burgundy suede straps make a bold statement, while the cork sole adds inches in a light and comfortable way! (FYI, we also have the Dina in mustard leather.)

This fantastic sole also adds ‘zazz to F+B’s Ding clog, back at Ped by popular demand:

Suede that swings! The fringe has our hearts, but the teal color is what really sends us over the moon! (But if you prefer black, we’ve got your back.)

Wishing for a lace-up shoe? This season we’re offering Fiorentini + Baker’s beloved Eliza oxford in several shades of suede, including sienna:

In a word: YUM! This suede shoe exemplifies why Italian shoes are prized; it’s so well made and comfortable it will be your best friend for years. Be sure to check out the teal and verde versions, too!

Vialis’ sweet suede lace-up mixes the best of a sneaker with the lightness of a dance shoe. Behold the wonderful Pepita:

Simple and easy to wear, the Pepita is made for dashing around town followed by kicking back on the porch! The midnight blue color is so pretty, but you can also opt for the Pepita in spicy mustard.

Finally, if you’re like us and love the look of boots with summery skirts and dresses, check out the Fiorentini + Baker Emil:

At last, an “air-conditioned” boot—perfect for wearing barefoot and showing off bare legs! (Of course, it will also look great with tights and funky kneehighs when the weather cools off.)

Even more suede sweethearts are waiting for you at Ped’s main site! Discover why we’re soft on suede, especially in the summertime!

(Speaking of suede, there are two suede versions—as well as two leather versions—of this week’s super-duper tasty Sweet Treat: Fiorentini + Baker’s Emmy Boot! Did we just give you a heart attack? Simply 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 sweet 20% off at checkout!)

There must be something in the water in Spain because, holy paella, are those Iberian peninsula designers ever serving up serious style! No sooner had we collected ourselves from swooning over Chie Mihara’s fall designs than the latest Vialis shipment  arrived at Ped HQ, making our knees go weak all over again.

Vialis is famous for its stellar clog construction, but their old-school Spanish craftsmen also create wonderful shoes and boots. We’ve brought the best of Vialis to Ped for your fall pleasure! So drink in the Spanish goodness!

Let’s start with a classic closed-back clog! For sheer beauty and versatility, the Vialis Adele is the queen bee:

The rich whiskey color of the suede is intoxicating (okay, we couldn’t resist..). Unlike other clogs, Vialis’ wood-soled wonders are anything but frumpy, with a seam at the front of the toe providing a streamlined silhouette.

Craving a little more hot sauce? Perhaps the spicy Vialis Hannah is more up your alley:

A little higher cut on the foot and a fantastic back strap that loops through a brass grommet to close with an adjustable rivet—it just takes a few well thought-out details to give a clog a shot of va-va-va-voom!

If you heart clogs, but heels aren’t you deal, then consider Vailis’ color-saturated Kate:

Pretty as a peacock! The stunning wool felt outer is lined with buttery leather, and of course, the comfort is heavenly. (It’s by Vialis, after all!)

Speaking of comfort, you know we’re always on the quest for a good walking shoe, and Vialis has given us just the thing with the Sadie:

Clog meets shoe, and shoe meets clog in one glorious and funky find! The curved contour of the sole is designed to rock with rolling motion of your stride.

Looking for a more traditional oxford? Vialis has crafted one of the best in the Oliver:

What an exquisite interpretation of the classic—no bells, no whistles, just class and sass! We’re wild about this burnished honey-hued version, but the Oliver also comes in a beautiful marine blue.

Want to go laceless? The Vialis Katrina is lean, clean style machine:

Sleek and minimal, the Katrina is a vision in supple black leather. However, this heeled bootie beauty hides a flirtatious secret—a racy red leather lining that occasionally flashes at the front opening. Talk about urban chic!

Taking the ankle boot a little higher—as well as saucier and bossier—the Vialis Lulu is at the top of our must-have list this season:

We adore everything about this pull-on bootie, from its perfect proportions to its distressed yet luxe leather to its circular brass buckles! It’s a motorcycle boot whose style engine is on overdrive!

Are you feeling as woozy with love as we are? Well, there’s even more Vialis to make your heart race over at Ped’s main site. So give your feet a Spanish lesson—in Vialis, you’ll always be fluent in style!

(You probably know Ped’s on Twitter and Facebook. But did you know we’re also on Pinterest and Google +? We like to socialize, so come join us!)

School’s out. The grass is green. Fireflies light up the evening. There’s so much to enjoy in June! So we thought we’d do our part to fuel the June love by kicking off the Ped Summer Sale!

Had your eye on a sweet temptation? Chances are its price just got nicer! Behold a sample of the sunny bargains:

Accessoire has such a colorful way with suede! We especially love how they tie everything up with a bow on the vintage-inspired Sagan:

Beautiful at $328, it’s even lovelier at $262!

Speaking of vintage looks, you can rock the retro in an ultra-modern way by buckling up Coclico’s Valencia:

Patchwork leather? Sculpted wooden heel? Far out! Swinging at $358, it’s even more righteous at $286!

If you prefer to keep your heels on the ground, one of the best flats this season is the Cydwoq Malba:

Talk about an ankle of interest! Delicious at $246, it’s even tastier at $196!

Another sassy ankle-strap design from Cydwoq (with a little more “lady” to it) is the Volcano:

The textured leather is fantastic—what a way to express artistic style in any situation! Hot lava at $298, the Volcano is positively explosive at $238!

Taking things a little higher, a neutral that’s sexy as all get-out is Fiorentini + Baker’s Nene:

Here’s a guarantee: all eyes will be on you in this suede knockout! Glamorous at $498, the Nene‘s star quality shines even brighter at $398!

Looking for something more everyday and more go-everywhere? Consider the Vialis Claris:

So much more than your average clog, this streamlined Spanish beauty will work with everything in your wardrobe. Fab at $198, it’s even more of a treasure at $158!

As dessert to this smorgasbord of sale delights, behold one of our favorites of the season: Fiorentini + Baker’s luscious Floss!

Supple green leather in a retro-licious style crafted by those Italian masters at F+B—GORGEOUS! Every head will turn! Worth every penny at $398, it’s a green dream at $298!

More wonderful styles at fresh prices are flying out the door at Ped’s main site. So snag a deal to keep your sunny side up all summer long!

(And don’t forget about this week’s oh-so pretty Sweet Treat: the Cydwoq Climax! Just click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to land at the Climax with the magic code that will bring 20% off at checkout! )

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.

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.)