Fashion history is a treasure trove! Forward-thinking designers regularly sift through the past to recover earlier trends to reinterpret with a modern edge.

This season some of the best new shoes have their roots in the righteous ’70s, when women’s fashion took a turn for the bold! The precarious stilettos and tight-waisted “Suzy homemaker” dresses of the 1950s and early ’60s stepped aside for chunky heels worn out and about with minis, midis, and pantsuits! Refreshing then! Refreshing now!

Behold a few of the new designs that celebrate the sexy confidence of 1970s’ style!

One of the sunniest interpretations of the spirit of the ’70s is Argila’s Allie!

We are wild about the combination of the buckled and tasseled front (so vintage!) with the hand-cut and sanded wooden heel! And the color? You just have to smile!

Of course, Chie Mihara is the reigning queen of retro-licious beauty! Check out the  ’70s sensibility  of this season’s Xeroco:

The buckles add just the right punctuation to the broad straps! The sexiness is no-nonsense and take-no-prisoners! Devastating in the best kind of way!

Another great Chie ode to the 1970s is the Rumi (a perennial Ped favorite):

Ped’s Laura swears her fashion-forward mother had a pair of identical shoes back in the 1970s! Beautiful as they may have been, Laura’s mom’s couldn’t hold a candle to the Rumi because the modern version features Chie Mihara’s signature padded footbed, the ultimate in comfort! (Ask anyone)!

Coclico also riffs on the leather patchwork so popular in the ’70s in its Valencia:

What a looker! Absolutely distinctive yet ultra-versatile. Note the subtle curve of the chunky wooden heel—Coclico is always attentive to the details!

Coclico’se retro-sassy Vidal also features this gorgeous heel:

Talk about a statement shoe! The way the back strap and hardware twins the strap and hardware over the instep is ingenious!

Coclico also takes a tip from the 70s in its cork platform designs, like the Melania:

Light and comfortable, this beauty updates the vintage look of a platform wedge by creating it in the most modern of colors: flint grey!

Another stunning cork-soled number is Fiorentini + Baker’s swinging Ding Clog:

So fun, this fringed clog is crafted with the same meticulous attention to detail as F+B’s famous boots! The Ding was love at first sight for Ped’s Laura—she immediately bought it and has been wearing it nonstop! (She loves the terra cotta color of the Indian Red, but we also have the Ding in black, if that’s more your thing.)

Speaking of clogs, Trippen’s Strahl exemplifies what can happen when a designer takes retro inspiration and runs with it:

The Strahl‘s spark lies in the 1970s, but this work of art’s fireworks are thoroughly modern! We adore how the teal edges of the black leather are echoed in the patina of the rivets and the rubber on the outsole.

So, get in the mood by listening to James Brown’s 1972 hit, and then literally “Get on the Good Foot!” Your style will be far out! Dig it!

(Psst, another groovy design, though not ’70s inspired, is Fiorentini + Baker’s Pia boot, which is this week’s Sweet Treat. Make its gorgeousness yours for 20% off by clicking “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page, which will whisk you to the Pia, with the magic discount code to enter at checkout! What a great way to step into spring!)

We can’t help it! When March comes along, we feel like tossing off our winter coats and dancing outside! Tulips and daffodils are opening to the sun! Daylight is stretching languidly into the evening! And the mercury is on the upswing . . .

Which is what trips us up every year! We always think (wish, hope) the last of winter’s chill is behind us before it really is. The temptation is to bust out our barest sandals, which leads to literally cold feet, especially after the sun goes down. It’s best to ease into the season, giving our sun-craving soles a taste of fresh air without fully exposing them to the elements. Happily, Ped has just the shoes for making the transition from nippy weather to days of ice-tea and lemonade.

Good news: you don’t have to give up your oxfords to let your tootsies taste the breeze. Just lace up Argila’s Natalie:

An oxford with air-conditioning! The sandy color is a cinch to wear with almost everything in your wardrobe, and the pinked edges are so fun!

Another terrific aerated lace-up is Trippen’s perennially popular Golf:

An ideal walking shoe, the Golf’s Euro-edgy looks and comfortable perforated leather will make you the envy of everyone you pass. (“Pardon me, where did you get those great shoes?)

Cydwoq also knows a thing or two about comfortably walking from early spring right through summer and on into fall, as evidenced by the new Malba:

Bare your heels, while keeping your toes enclosed! We’re crazy about the thong detail, which adds just the right touch to the innovative design. (Not a fan of turmeric? The Malba also comes in fresh sage.)

Another great way to cool your heels is with Cydwoq’s wonderful Orient:

The leather is KNIT! How cool is that? This easy slide immediately became a Ped favorite last year. This year we also have it in black, for those of you who favor all things noir.

“Those are all great weekend shoes,” you may be saying, “but what about something transitional for work?” The answer: Cydwoq’s Poa:

We don’t know how Cydwoq keeps coming up with artistic variations on the classic mary jane, but we’re just glad they do! Dressy, yes, but not too, the Poa stands apart with its luscious lavender leather!

Looking for a transitional heel to boost your height? Cydwoq’s Prairie is just the thing:

The perfect compromise between a sandal and a shoe, this slingback peep-toe is incredibly versatile in addition to being a sophisticated stunner!

If you like the Prairie, but you’re still wishing for something taller and juicier, say good day to Fiorentini + Baker’s Floss:

Good day, indeed! WOW! And just wait until you slide your foot inside the super supple leather of this green dream! De-lish!

Over at Ped’s main site, there are even more ways to walk from winter into warm weather. So, ease your feet back into the outside world! They’ll say, “Aaaah!” while all your fans say, “Ooooh!”

In addition to flowers, new leaves, and green grass, another hallmark of spring is the sudden flood of occasions that require us to spruce up and deck out. The calendar bursts into virtual bloom with weddings, graduation ceremonies, and garden parties. Personally, we Pedsters love to dress up, especially since slipping on a pair of heels no longer means our dogs end up whimpering after a few hours!

At Ped, we are committed not just to artistry and craftsmanship in what we carry, but also to C O M F O R T! Our highest heels and girliest shoes still feel great on your feet hours after you step out the door—all gain, zero pain! Plus, a little heel height is guaranteed to make a gal’s gams look like a million bucks!

Here are a few of our favorite ways to ensure your style stands head and shoulders above the crowd:

If you want to get big bang for your shoe buck, Chie Mihara’s Xantili is one of the most versatile heels of the season:

It’s strappy good looks and snake-printed leather are distinctive, but its neutral color story means it will work with practically everything in your closet—a one in a million shoe for a million occasions! Plus the .75″ leather-covered platform under the toe makes the 3.25″ heel a breeze to wear.

Chie Mihara not only excels at creating comfortable heels, she’s a whiz with whimsical details. Case in point: the zingy red poppy on her new Josy:

It’s so neat how the caramel leather straps provide a virtual trellis for the red suede flower! And, again, a .75″ platform up front offsets the 3.5″ heel, bringing the pitch to an easy 2.75″!

If you want to bring the height down a notch, without losing an inch of style, check out Chie’s Quory:

Talk about sophisticated fun! You can be a lady who lunches and go dotty, too! Plus, this to-die-for t-strap’s heel measures an ultra-manageable 2″.

Cydwoq is another friend to those who don’t like their heels too high. You don’t need many inches to make an impact, as Cydwoq’s Blast proves:

Whoa, Nelly!!! When you make an entry in this cutting-edge sandal, every eye in the room will be on you! Such a beauty, and the sculpted resin heel is a mere 2″!

If you prefer a closed-toe shoe, Cydwoq’s Volcano will also leave a trail of sparks wherever you walk:

Way more interesting than your average ankle-strap heel, don’t you agree? The Volcano will instantly elevate the sexiness of your favorite LBD, but imagine how fantastic it also looks with colors and prints! (Update March 10: We also just got this beauty in a stunning textured mocha leather!)

Lots of you Ped fans adore wooden heels. Well, this season Coclico has just what you want. Get an eyeful of the new Klucia:

The design is beautifully balanced, and yet it offers surprising details, like the laser-cut chevron pattern in the leather and the twill lacing that ties everything up! Although the wooden heel is 3.5″, it’s really a cinch to wear, thanks to the 1″ platform under the forefoot.

If you’re looking for something that will really turns heads, you can never go wrong with red (and every woman needs a pair of red heels)! How juicy is Coclico’s Yoni?

Delectable! This bombshell of a shoe is effortlessly chic, with a sculpted 3″ wooden heel made extra comfortable by the 1″ covered platform under the toe.

But we’ve saved perhaps our favorite heel for last: Fiorentini + Baker’s knockout Nene:

Take a minute to drink in the beauty of its design. It doesn’t shout. It doesn’t have to—its simple sophistication will make you the talk of the party and the envy of everyone there! We think that’s 4″ of heel well-spent! Plus, the 1″ platform beneath the toe keeps it all manageable, and Fiorentini + Baker means this femme fatale feels as wonderful as it looks!

So don’t be afraid to amp up your height when you put on your glad rags this spring! It’s suprising how empowering—and comfortable—a high heel can be!

(Psst, this week’s Sweet Treat is Cydwoq’s wonderful Bright Bag! Haul everything you need in this all-time Ped favorite for 20% off when you click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page, which will take you to the Bright Bag with a magic discount code to enter at checkout!)

February sometimes seems like the longest month of the year, despite have the fewest days! Good thing someone thought to plop Valentine’s Day smack in the middle of it! For one day, at least, the grey chill is mitigated by red roses, red hearts, and red you-name-it!

At Ped, we heart red all year long, but since it’s Valentine’s Day, we’re taking a moment to celebrate its juiciness, its warmth, its flair, and its ability to sass up any outfit! Behold below a few of our favorite rosy-hued things to set your hearts on fire:

Let’s start with a shoe that’s perfect for transitioning from winter to spring: Cydwoq’s Buckle.

What a sweetheart! It looks fantastic with skirts. It looks terrific with pants. It looks stellar any way you wear it! And what a luscious wine red!

Perhaps your way of dealing with February’s greyness is to jet off to a tropical destination. If so, make sure to pack Cydwoq’s Thong:

This simple sandal is the very essence of relaxation! Easy-going and chic, it will stay comfortable for as many miles as you care to stroll. And its red is guaranteed to turn every head!

“Nice try,” you may be thinking, “but some of us are office-bound for the foreseeable future.” Don’t despair! Liven up work with Chie Mihara’s Vaive!

The most beautiful heeled oxford we’ve seen, the Vaive wins hearts with rosettes blooming along its side. Blue Mondays don’t stand a chance when you lace up the red-hot Vaive!

Need something to spice up date night? Chie Mihara has just the ticket! Say hello to the Xifon!

Oh my! What a temptress! Whomever you’ve set your sights on will be powerless to resist you when you wear this red suede charmer!

For those of you who prefer grrrrl to girly-girl, you can get your red fix with Fiorentini + Baker’s Eli Bootie:

Rugged, ruddy, and ridiculously comfortable, this ankle boot lets you put a little badass in your beauty. (Leave it to the Italians!)

At Ped, our love of red goes beyond shoes. Feast your eyes on the rouge-a-licious beauty of Cydwoq’s Flap Bag!

Cydwoq’s genius of design, Rafi, has subtly combined angles and curves in this go-everywhere bag. Practicality meets artistry, with a generous helping of red!

Want to express your fondness for red on a smaller scale? Consider Jamie Joseph’s Round Carnelian Ring:

Stunning! The angles of the facets contrast beautifully with the gem’s circular shape. Let your fingers do the flirting!

Of course, at the end of the day, it is still February, so staying warm is of the essence. Why not wrap up in Epice’s Jardin Scarf?

Loomed from the softest wool, this lovely will keep you cozy, while its red and fuchsia palette will chase away the winter blues.

There is more red loveliness to discover over at Ped’s main site. Happy Valentine’s Day, Ped fans—you put the color in our cheeks and a song in our hearts!

(Although not red, this week’s Sweet Treat is certainly luscious: Trippen’s Fox wedge bootie. Simply click “be sweet to your feet” in the top right corner of any Ped page to be whisked to the Fox, where you will find the code that brings 20% off at checkout! Foxy!)

Now this is the kind of Tale of the Sole we LOVE! Not only do we get to hear about the adventures of Ped items after they’ve left the warehouse, but we also get to enjoy a vicarious trip to Greece, all thanks to Vicky E. Here’s what she wrote:

I am sending this email to tell you about where my Cydwoq shoes from Ped took me this summer: Greece! Yes, I spent a week basking in the sun and walking, walking, walking on the island of Santorini and then a few more days exploring the contrast between modern and ancient in Athens.

Vicky shows off her Cydwoq Bare sandals for the ladies of the Erechtheum!

I enjoyed some delicious Greek foods and brought back some beautiful jewelry and textiles to accessorize outfits that can only be complete with a pair of Ped shoes. (I am building a beautiful collection of mostly Cydwoq shoes, all purchased from your amazing online boutique; every pair that arrives at my doorstep, once I slip my feet into them, feel as if I were born in them, thanks to their genius construction as well as to the perfect-fit assistance from Dayna when I call Ped.)

Vicky walks up not quite all the 200 steps at Armoud in her Cydwoq Thong sandals.

I traveled with Cydwoq’s Bare in red (purchased last summer) and Thong in black sparkle (purchased especially for this trip). Both kept me well-heeled traversing both urban and island-scapes and while on the town in the evenings, as well as along the ocean, beaching it, sailing it, or relaxing it portside.

Vicky "relaxing it portside" in her Cydwoq Thong sandals!

I spend most of my year as a high school English teacher, so taking a trip like this was part of venturing to cross off things from my bucket list. I enjoyed my trip so much that I might just plan another one in a summer or two. What was so cool about my Cydwoqs was that I could wear them anywhere for any situation, AND they packed slim and light. The only other footwear I relied on was my bare feet.

Vicky puts up her feet at the Parthenon! (How cute are her tootsies in those Cydwoq Bare sandals?)

Thanks for keeping me well shod!

You are welcome, Vicky! THANK YOU for sharing your fantastic trip with us!

As a token of our appreciation for giving us a Greek break in the middle of the day, we’re sending Vicky a $100 Ped gift certificate! We can practically feel the Greek sun on our smiling faces.

Do you have a Tale of the Sole? Tell us—and show us (we LOVE pictures!!!)—what happened to you while wearing a Ped item, and you, too, might be the recipient of $100 in Ped credit. Each month we pick the most sole-ful tale to share on the blog. So, let us know what in the world you’ve been doing in your Ped.

(By sheer coincidence, this week’s Sweet Treat is Cydwoq’s Thong sandal!!! You, too, can look and feel as terrific as Vicky did on her trip! Click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page, and it will transport you to the Thong with the magic discount code that will bring 20% off when entered in the box at checkout!)