The humidity is climbing here in the Northeast, and summer has officially arrived. This means flip flop season.

Now, generally I’m not a huge fan of flip flops. They don’t have much support, the straps always tend to tear up my feet in one spot or another, and I’m not much of a beachy surfer style girl.

But I’ve been won over by Switchflops.

Because all of a sudden, there’s a flip flop that’s customizable.

Yep, these summer sandals have velcro that lets you remove one set of straps and switch it out for another, depending on your mood. So you start out with the sole you like best (choose from the standard flip flop, a wedge, or a kitten heel, and from brown, black, beige, or navy)

then (and here’s the fun part) choose whatever set or sets of straps you want, and mix and match to your heart’s content. You can do everything from team spirit with striped ribbons like the Parker (in my high school colors of maroon and gold)

to a July 4th barbecue with the Jackie

to a pretty darn upscale, classy looking flip flop with the Chloe

to the classic beachy look with the Isabel.

Really, the options are pretty endless. Well, actually, they’re not endless, but since there are almost 500 different possible combinations, they might as well be. And since each set of straps is only $10 and has such a cute variety of buttons and patterns, you can go wild without breaking the bank. Plus, you can test out different strap/sole combinations on the web site.

Who created such a fabulously customizable line? Lindsay Phillips, who is only 23 and came up with the idea originally in her high school ceramics class. She offers a great demo video on the Switchflops site that shows you exactly how easy it is to change out the straps.

I tested out the classic flop sole, and after several promenades and rounds of errand running in several different sets of straps, I have to say I’m pleasantly surprised. The soles aren’t cheap, as flip flops go (they range from $32 for the flat flop to $47 for the kitten heel), but the price is worth it for the quality of the materials, which is higher than most cheap flip flops out there. The foam of the sole is nice and bouncy, and gives you good cushioning when you walk. And the thong and underlying straps (the ones that are attached to the shoes and don’t change) are positioned just right, so they don’t cut into your feet.

Seriously, I don’t think I’ve ever had this much fun wearing flip flops. There’s a definite thrill to deciding which strap to use on any given day, and they’re fun shoes to stick on summertime feet. Never again shall my flip flops be consigned to the heading of “Shoes to be Worn Only When Returning from Pedicures.”

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A little while back, I mentioned that once the weather permitted, I’d take my new Taryn Rose Kaelyn’s out for a spin and let you know the results.

Well, the weather has permitted, and I’ve now worn them twice, with excellent results. The first day, which involved only my normal walking pattern to and from work, the edges of the peep toe and the heel rubbed uncomfortably. But yesterday I wore them again (on a day that involved a lot more walking all over the city) and I was much better pleased. The leather is soft enough that it stretched itself around my foot after just these few wears, and I had no blisters or abrasions, even though I walked all over and wore these without stockings.

As far as the look goes, they’re really elegant shoes. The wedge is 1.5″ so it’s enough for a little bit of height, but without sacrificing comfort. The heel in the back is very narrow and ladylike, not clunky like many “comfort” shoes can be. The patent leather is shiny shiny, and the whole thing is very sleek.

On the comfort front… well, they’re Taryn Rose. On the comfort front, they pretty much can’t be beat. The arch support is excellent, and the Poron cushioning is noticeable. Kept my feet perfectly comfy all day long, even standing and walking and running to catch the subway. And on the sole under the ball of your feet, there’s a non-slip rubberized section to keep you from sliding everywhere.

The one thing I’d mention is that, since it’s patent leather, these shoes don’t breathe as much as regular full-grain leather does, so my feet got a bit slippery in them throughout the day.  My plan to combat this is to stick a pair of Summer Soles in them.  Then I can have deliciously comfy shoes and feet that smell like a summer breeze, too.

Like Shoesense just said, the price tag on Taryn Rose shoes is hefty (though you can get the Kaelyn right now in black, red, or white patent from Josephs for $316 as opposed to $445), so it’s a good brand to opt for when you want something that’ll be classic and perpetually chic without giving up on your comfort. A low wedge patent leather peep-toe is about as perennially chic as it comes, folks. And this shoe is pretty divine. Perfect for classing up a summer sundress or pairing with the most professional of business suits.

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We’ve talked about Devotte shoes round these parts before.

But they make such gorgeous sandals that are fun and playful (and not insanely high-heeled, either) and stylish that they’re worth a post all their own, if you ask me.

Nancy Kim is the design force behind Devotte, and she knows what she’s doing after spending time at D&G and menswear’s Y-3. And she’s designing from the right point of view, in my opinion. We’re firm believers here at Shoeblog that there’s no need to compromise your style for some comfort, and Nancy agrees.

I understand the lifestyle of the cosmopolitan woman. There is never time to go home and change. I am born-and-bred NYC; I know the importance of stylish shoes that are still comfortable. These can be worn day to night, like your favorite jeans.

Sounds good, right? So let’s point out some of the beautiful spring/summer creations that could take you day to night. The Helena nods gracefully at the gladiator sandal without giving up any of its ladylike beauty. Perhaps its name is a nod to Helen of Troy, whose ladylike beauty was enough to cause all kinds of trouble.

The Leeloo has a whimsical name and a fittingly flitting butterfly-wing design.

The Shirley’s playful tuxedo styling makes me want to put on my tap shoes and head off to the Good Ship Lollipop. It’s equally cute in white/gold or white/black.

And if you’re after a little height and disco diva color, you may want to opt for the Courtney, which distills the essence of Studio 54’s heyday into something just a little simpler and chicer so you won’t have people thinking you’re living a life of over-the-top excesses.

Now it’s true, these babies aren’t cheap, but if you peek around the internet, you can find some Devotte deals (usually in select sizes, as per usual) like the heart-embellished Adore ankle-straps for $138

or the cute Clara skimmers for only $71!

No matter what, you’re sure to end up with something feminine and classy that’ll prove your style chops to anyone who sees your adorably-clad feet.

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No matter what the weather’s like around me these days (alternately cold and spring-like, sunny and rainy by turns), I’m determined to think about pretty pretty shoes for any season. And after a visit a few weeks ago to a showroom full of Elizabeth Brady’s Spring 08 line, these have stayed in my head.

The spring line (which isn’t available to buy online yet) is full of colors and textures inspired by Elizabeth’s trips to the green market, which makes me long for green market weather. Check out the easy chic Diane.

And the Fall 07 collection (which you can shop through over here) is full of shoes inspired by great women of the 1920s and 30s, like the Ella (presumably after Ella Fitzgerald), which is steely gray strength and pretty embroidered femininity in one sexy pump package.

And Elizabeth herself is a great example of a strong and independent-minded woman. She started up her business all on her own in 2005 with an eye to producing artisan-crafted shoes made with the highest quality leathers, skins, and fabrics (most of which come from Italy and are pieced together in her factories there). She came armed with an inside view on the shoe industry from her grandmother’s successful shoe business, and once Elizabeth taught herself Italian, she was off to Florence to set up her design studio.

Her shoes are creative and a touch playful, but stick to classic silhouettes that are universally appealing. And her shoe design philosophy is something I think every woman can get behind.

There should be a beautiful shoe for every part of a woman’s life! I truly believe that shoes are an expression of who you are and the sensibilities that you carry. We all have a sexy side, a daring side and an “I just want to feel beautiful” side. When I design, I develop collections that can challenge women to make a statement no matter what they are doing. Each collection includes styles that go from day to night and every shoe is an interesting mix of color and texture. Shoes should be fun. Shoes should be a part of who you are!

I say we all go out and arm ourselves (or leg ourselves) for the new season with shoes that make a statement and let us have the footwear to match the women (and men) we want to be.

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Forgive me the Latin-related pun in this post title, but I just wanted to remind you all out there in shoe land that there’s only a day left to enter your name (over here) in our contest for $100 off at the Nota Bene online store.

I know I mentioned it in the original post, but seriously, Jennifer Lovitt Riggs, the founder of Nota Bene, has her priorities in SO the right place when it comes to fashion and comfort in ladies footwear.

On women wearing painful, pointy, high heels:

“It is not that women are being silly,” Riggs said. “We are taught things like ‘beauty is painful’ and ‘no pain, no gain.’ So, we grit our teeth and bear it – the pointed toe and the stiletto heel are a badge of feminine machismo.”

On the importance of comfort in women’s shoes:

“Comfort is not a nicety. Shoes are the only article of clothing that can impact women’s long-term health and mobility.”

Her Nota Bene’s are put to the test in a serious way. Every style is road tested for 4-6 days (at least a mile a day) by real women, then refined based on their feedback, then tested again. That’s all before the shoe goes into full production.And she’s done wonders, with a line that offers refined, stylish women’s shoes that are made of shock-absorbent, high-quality materials. Come on, do these look like your average “comfort shoe”? I don’t think so!

As Ms. Riggs puts it:

“You only get one pair of feet, and they have a long journey. They are worth protecting.”

She’s so right. Drop your name in the “hat” if you want in on this highly admirable philosophy.

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