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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Don’t be confused.  These are not suggestions for costume shoes.  These are suggestions for shoes you can wear on October 31st, say, to the office or running your errands.  They’ll keep you festive and stylish all in one, which in this case means the classic All Hallow’s combo of orange and black.

If you’re heading to a business meeting, try these demure Kabou pumps from Robert Clergerie (now $272, 40% off the original price).  These are officially listed as being “tan” and “dark brown” but that looks a whole lot like orange and black to me.

 Want to run those errands in sleek athletic-inspired style?  Then snap up the super-soft Arche Galan on sale for $214.

When it comes to looking for shoes that are a bit out there with color and style, you know you don’t have to any further than Irregular Choice.  Sure, sometimes that “out there” becomes “across the entire universe,” but I think these Jezebel flats ($104) are snappy and cute.  And, of course, Halloween appropriate.

Need some more height to your Halloween heels?  Try this pretty leaf-printed Stacy Adams Tatum pump for $89.  Plus, this one makes a nice fall footwear addition.  Seasonal, a bit whimsical, but still classy and demure enough to go upscale.

If you want something more casual, and you happen to be somewhere where the weather’s actually getting cold, keep your feet warm in these cute (and highly affordable at only $63!) Blink Gail booties with the nice accent of orange laces.

And just to prove that there’s a Halloweeny shoe out there for EVERYONE, even you serious ice climbers can have festive holiday-appropriate Halloween boots if you try these Asolo Manaslu hardcore gear boots, although they’ll set you back a whopping $804!

Trick or treat, indeed!

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Apart from combining oh-so-many trends in one (platform-wedge–peep-toe–snake-skin–metallic-silver), these shiny Robert Clergerie shoes will make you feel like a goddess, far above those puny little mortals. You will pass on the ambrosia and drink Veuve Cliquot (because you’re simply bored, dahling, with all that nectar) and mess the earthling’s love lives something fierce. Then you will take pity in your magnanimous heart and pull a goddess ex machina and solve all their romantic entanglements with some magic elixir your winged minion will deliver in a heartbeat. It’s good to be a goddess, isn’t it? $550 at Barneys.

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So, which one would you rather wear? These Marc Jacobs red patent ankle-strap wedges:

 …or these Robert Clergerie red patent ankle-strap wedges ?

The former is $320 at Nordstrom, the latter is about $600 at Zappos. I think they’re both quite cute, but I just can’t make up my mind yet…

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Are these Robert Clergerie ‘Party’ booties a mess or a daring, fashion-forward statement?

After much deliberation, my answer is yes. They are definitely different, daring, innovative, kooky, quirky, something else. And they are the very antithesis of practical–a good way to gauge whether something is fashionable or not. On the other hand, would I wear them? Heck, no. They’re eyebrow-raising strange, and I’m afraid the rest of my wardrobe doesn’t quite match up.

Too bad, for they were only a trifle $900 on Zappos. Shame, really. (Um, yes, I’m being facetious.)

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