Sure, we love slides at Ped, and we adore boots with buckles. Nevertheless, a little lacing goes a long way in terms of adjustable comfort and style! Whether it’s a classic oxford from Fiorentini + Baker or an innovative flat from Trippen, we enjoy a shoe that ties things up with a bow or knot. So, allow us to present a visual ode to the lace-up in all its lovely variations!

First up, one of the cutest shoes on the block this spring—Trippen’s Fish:

Wonderfully light, this little brown flat is so flirty with the way its leather laces weave through the front and back before twining around your ankles. Tie them in front, knot them in back—Trippen leaves the choice up to you! What’s certain is how comfortable your tootsies will be skipping down the streets of Prague, Perth, or just your hometown in the Fish!

But if ankle wraps aren’t your cup of tea, then maybe Trippen’s ultra-innovative Pull will appeal to your love of lacing:

We love the crazy way the elastic lacing crisscrosses the front before winding up in an adjustable knot behind your heel. This great travel shoe comes in both luscious teal and cool jade green.

Another shoe with out-of-the-ordinary lacing is Cydwoq’s Proud:

With this flat, there’s nothing to adjust—just slide in your foot and the elastic lacing automatically creates a glove-like fit. So clean, so chic, so cutting-edge—but still so versatile because the Proud literally goes with everything!

Sometimes, we like to change things up! Lots of you know the Fiorentini + Baker Emma Boot laces in the back, but did you know Trippen’s cut-front Fence ankle boot also features lacing in the back?

In a word (and no offense):  badass!

Then again, nothing beats the classic oxford for lace-up goodness. We’ve got two new ones in the house. Giraudon’s Plug Loafer is actually an old fave from years ago:

We love this traditional black shoe because it’s thoroughly modern with its perforated leather over the toe and four-eyelet lacing.

If you prefer to juice up your oxford with a blast of color, though, get an eyeful of Fiorentini + Baker’s latest:

It’s got all of F+B’s famed Italian construction in a glorious green package (and it comes in blue, too) all tied up with a bow!

By the way, have you checked out this week’s “sweet treat,” Argila’s Zoe? It takes lacing to a whole new level of sauciness:

Just click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page (including this one) to get 20% off this flirty heeled sandal!

So, lace up, ladies—in any of these great shoes, you’re sure to have a string of admirers tied around your little finger!

Ped fans, we hear it all the time: “I love those shoes, but I’m not sure what I’d wear them with…” We understand—the last thing you want is to buy a knockout pair of shoes only to have them languish in the closet! But chances are even the most offbeat color or bold design is easier to wear than you think. Here are a few ideas for how to make things work.

On the other hand, you may prefer your style more muted. Even so, you can still wear a sandal boot and have it look smashing:

All these outfits were created at Polyvore.com, which offers a wonderful way to try out items together when you’re shopping online. It’s also just plain fun! So, if you fall in love with a shoe, don’t resist; in the words of Tim Gunn, you can “make it work.”

(By the way, we’re pretty sure you could make lots of things work with this week’s “sweet treat,” Cordani’s Erin. Just click “be sweet to your feet” in the top right corner of any Ped page to get 20% off this fresh espadrille platform!)

When winter’s greys finally turn to green, our thoughts turn to sandals! Nothing’s more delicious than wriggling your bare toes in new grass, but pavement, hot sand, and the aisles at the grocery store require you to put a little something beneath your soles. It doesn’t have to be much, though, and it can feel almost as good as dancing barefoot across the lawn.

Behold a few of Ped’s light and airy treasures.

Hands down, one of the prettiest sandals this season is Coclico’s Victorae:

This sweetheart is so simple—the easiest of t-straps—yet it opens eyes with its vine of leaves running up the center. With a .5″ wedge, it’s not quite flat, but it’s as comfortable as a walk in the park.

When it comes to designing flats that keep feet happy, nobody compares to Cydwoq’s Rafi Balouzian. The man knows just what we like! Case in point, Cydwoq’s Attract:

Cut from a single piece of leather, the upper incorporates an ankle strap, which is so of-the-moment! We also love how the soft yellow color is unusual yet muted enough to go with almost everything in your closet.

Another favorite from Cydwoq is the Bare:

Sandals don’t get more minimal than this perfectly designed little number! When you can’t go barefoot, the Bare is the next best thing! (And how fun is that sassy red leather?)

When it comes to color, though, everyone knows I lean toward green. So, I swooned when I discovered Cordani’s Sarah:

The pistachio leather is so fresh I could almost bite it! But then my feet would be deprived of this flat’s supreme comfort. With a full rubber sole, the Sarah is perfect for navigating all kinds of terrain.

Another great travel sandal that offers a fresh variation on the gladiator look is  Cydwoq’s Mandarine:

Also available in black, this is the one sandal you won’t want to take off because it looks great with everything! (Your other sandals will  be jealous as they gather dust.)

Want your gladiator to have a funkier edge? There’s a flat for that! It’s Cydwoq’s Elect:

Super cute. Super cool. Super comfortable. Cydwoq does it again!

And, believe it or not, there are even more fantastic flat sandals at the Ped site just waiting to help your feet breathe easy!

(Psst, don’t forget this week’s Sweet Treat is Cydwoq’s Flap Bag. Get 20% off by clicking “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner on any Ped page.)

We Ped-sters tend to resist trends, but I admit we’ve fallen hard for the latest “in”: platform sandals! Wedges and sky-high heels have dominated the runway for several years, but now they’ve received a jolt of retro power via the addition of platforms á la the 1970s (and before that, the 1940s). This vintage kick has more going for it than just being cute; it makes adding a few inches of height oh so comfortable. With a 1.5″ platform up front, a 4″ heel suddenly becomes a cinch to wear because the pitch is only 2.5″. No pain, all gain!

We went a little crazy with the platforms this season, but we think you’ll agree each one is something special. Here are just a few to whet your appetite for height.

There’s no better way to welcome warm weather than with a big pop of color! So, say, “Good day!” to Chie Mihara’s Hito:

You’ll be walking sunshine in this curry suede number! Make that tall walking sunshine because the wedge is a sassy 4″—but figure in the 1.25″ platform, and the pitch is an easily manageable 2.75″. You’ll have your head in the clouds from all the compliments swirling around you!

Another platform that seems like summer incarnate is Cordani’s Erin:

Who doesn’t love an espadrille? The combination of the braided raffia on the platform and the pistachio green suede is so fresh!

These shoes may look substantial, but all of them are light on your feet. Case in point,  Coclico’s cork-soled Metalmark:

We love the modern, urban edge the straps and rivets bring to this sole that’s reminiscent of disco days.

Speaking of 1970s vibes updated for the 21st century, check out Chie Mihara’s Riana:

The laser-cut circles that form the straps on this chunky-heeled platform really come to life once this beauty is on your foot. The 3″ heel—which would be fine even without the platform—is super easy with the 1″ lift up front.

But if you’re a little more ambitious about enhancing your height and setting fire to the streets, then look no further than Chie’s Voy:

Ay, caramaba! This knockout is so hot it just might give the sidewalk blisters (but never your tootsies)! You’ll be a modern-day disco inferno walking on the Voy’s 4.5″ heel, but the 1.25″ platform in front will keep your stride cool and confident.

Head over to Ped’s main site for even more ways to stand tall while staying comfortable. We’re sure you’ll find a platform to believe in!

Hey sister, go sister, soul sister, go sister … (Sing it!) Okay, we admit we’re feeling a little slap-happy here at Ped. Chalk it up to spring fever and the fact that we’re dizzy from all the beautiful things arriving in the warehouse!

No sooner did I get back from Paris than Paris came to me in the form of Accessoire, yet another line I first discovered during Ped’s days as a brick-and-mortar store in Seattle. Designer Avril Gau began her career with Robert Clergerie and then spent seven years overseeing the shoe collections at Chanel. That’s quite a pedigree! These days she designs for Accessoire, creating sophisticated yet comfortable shoes that meet the demands of modern women. Accessoire styles wow with an unmistakable French flair; the shoes are never over-designed yet they command attention and admiration—effortlessly chic! But why take my word for it when you can see for yourself?

Platform wedges are all the rage this season, but Accessoire gives its Izard a distinctive French twist by replacing the buckle with a soft tie. The caramel brown color of the suede is Luscious with a capital “L”!

Ped fans know how much I love green, so you can imagine how my heart raced when I saw Accessoire’s amazing, metallic, cactus-green Iseult! Iridescent and interesting without being over-the-top, these buttery soft sandals are to. die. for.

Sure, jewel-embellished sandals have been “in” for a few years, but unlike the gaudy ones flooding the market, Accessoire’s Julien is sparkly but still tasteful. It’s got just the right amount of bling to be fun without being obnoxious. And the grey color is ultra-versatile!

Oo-la-la—I saved Laura’s favorite, the Island, for last! She’s been walking around in a dreamy daze ever since these came out of the box. I can’t blame her because this platform wedge is something special with its aura of old-school glamour. The color of the suede is so juicy, and the rosette is the perfect detail! Parisian style to the max!

So slip on a pair of Accessoire beauties, and let your feet speak with an unmistakable French accent!