Or Elegandom, if you want. Whatever! Here’s Elie Saab (left) and Valentino (right):

Gray, elegant, shiny, no doubt gorgeous. But also a little…bored. Kinda…done. Don’t get me wrong, I would admire these shoes on someone else (not on myself, I couldn’t walk in these)–but I probably wouldn’t call them revolutionary. But yeah, yeah, they’re nice.

The feeling of recycled intensifies with the Jean-Paul Gaultier collection: sort of sassy, but a sass that has been done before and we know too well: shiny croc prints and buckles, ribbon-tied open-toed oxfords, neon-tights with strappy sandals:

Not terrible, no, noooo. But neither beautiful nor exciting, in my opinion.  I think I’ll wait this round. Next, please!

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I’m not a big fan of Etienne Aigner for obvious reasons–derivative, poor quality, ubiquitous, unexciting. However, there was something about this Vicenza flat that made me stop and look:

They’re very fresh, very spring-ready, fun, and well…cheap ($69 at Piperlime).

And then I realized why I stopped to look in the first place–that’s because they’re (still) completely derivative:

….But since the Valentino ‘Wave’ ballerina flat is no longer available (and cost about $400 anyway), the EA Vicenza will have to do for now.

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Prompted by a recent reader inquiry, I went over to Neiman Marcus’ Shoe Trend site, which I haven’t peeked at yet for this season. As per usual, I found plenty of tempting options. So, like any good blogger, I’m now here to spread the word.

Heel Detail

You may recognize a number of these from the runway shows, because they tend to go heavy on the dramatic flare. These Fendi cage heels walked the Great Wall of China and these Prada flowery sandals made an organic statement in Milan back in September. Now they can be yours for $690 and $790, respectively.

Metallics

Personally, I’m of the opinion that a metallic shoe is always a great way to spruce up an outfit. In any season. If you agree, you might want to snap up a pair right now, when there are so many options available. You can get your metallic fix in everything from a classic Kate Spade loafer to a pewter Donald J Pliner t-strap to a Valentino multi-tone platform.

Floral

What says spring more than floral-embellished shoes? Try a pair of cheerful Manolo Blahnik’s with the Marimekko patterns that we mentioned back here, or a pretty and understated Bettye Muller (whose designs we Shoebloggers always love), or–to be kinder on your tootsies–any color of these Costablanca suede thongs.

Woven

Here’s a trend we haven’t seen for a few years now, and I’m glad it’s back. Woven shoes have an earthy, organic sort of look that I always like for the warm weather months. What shoes are here to feel the natural inspiration? Well, there’s this Frye low wedge sandal (in a handful of pretty colors) and this Stella McCartney wedge (also note it covers you for the metallic and decorative heel trends, all in one fell swoop) and the Cole Haan Air Bria (in gold or silver and thereby also hitting the right metallic note), to name a few.

Gladiator Sandals

Nope, they’re not gone. They’ve been the ubiquitous trendy sandal for the past several years, but I’m not complaining. I always like a shoe that mixes elements. Refined and rough. Masculine and feminine. And the gladiator sandal does that, whether it’s a glamazon version by Stuart Weitzman, a buckled and studded strappy one by Claudia Ciuti, or a basic brown leather Dolce & Gabbana.

Safari

The final trend is the one you have to be most careful of. When you start getting anywhere near animal prints, you’ve got to be careful not too go too over the top. I’d recommend sticking with things that are a little more toned down like this Oscar de la Renta mini-wedge. Or get a safari-esque look by sidestepping animal prints in favor of wooden embellishments, like on this t-strap sandal by Shoesense’s guru, Robert Clergerie. Because, while I dearly love Taryn Rose shoes and all they stand for, their take on the safari style is WAY too much in my book.

So go, Shoeblog readers. Find your spring shoes armed with trend awareness. It’s a fine line between trendy for its own sake and trendy in a way that will last into future springs to come. But you can do it. You’re savvy people.

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After 45 years of fashion, Valentino performed his final runway show this week with lovely shoes that Shoeblog already wrote about.  Saying goodbye is so hard for me to do though.  Instead, hoping to extend discussion of Valentino’s show a little longer,  I present to your more brilliant shoes that Valentino made a final bow (literally) with…

…and his signature red dress. Farewell Valentino!  You will be missed!

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At the Valentino couture show in Paris, things were very prim and proper. Gloves and hats and buttoned-up looks abounded.

And the shoes matched, making good use of pastels and loafer-inspired fringe on toes for some glammed-up country club set pumps.

There were also some jewel-encrusted heels perfect for an upscale night at the ritziest restaurant around.

And my favorite, these lavender strappy numbers that are the utmost in Victorian/Edwardian inspired ladies-wear.

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