It's Not Too Early -- Or Too Cold -- To Shop Spring Shoes

Even if you’re sipping hot cocoa in your fair isle sweater contemplating how on earth you’ll ever shovel your car out of its snow bank, that’s no reason you can’t get a jump start on spring shoe shopping. Actually, we can’t think of a better reason to start shopping for spring shoes! Here’s a quick spring shoe shopping primer.

First, look for new takes on shoe traditions: platforms are making a comeback, but this season they’re going flat. Voila: meet the flatform (sometimes referred to as a “rocking horse shoe”). Old-school Oxfords and brogues are getting prettier with printed twists: we still get misty eyed thinking of the printed Bass saddle shoes from Rachel Antonoff's spring 2011 show and Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent’s cloth Sage ballet flats.

Bass Heart Rachel Antonoff collaboration shoes at Rachel Antonoff's spring 2011 show

Twelfth St. By Cynthia Vincent

Satiny pumps and kitten heels are a sure sign that “Mad Men” isn’t going anywhere. And clogs are going to have another major moment, but this spring it’s all about lighter fabrics like canvas or linen with on-trend details like peep-toes. And your spring shoe color forecast? Juicy citrus colors -- think tangerine and mango -- or ethereal, desert- and sky-inspired shades like putty, taupe, beige, or pale grey.

Rachel Comey Spring/Summer 2011

Marni Canvas Wedge Slingback Clogs

Steve Madden 

Japanese street style rocking horse shoes

Ready to dip a toe into the warm waters of spring shoe shopping? Here are our three of our favorite online shoe boutiques and three stand-out spring shoes we love.

Endless.com: It’s called Endless for a reason. Amazon.com’s almost unlimited collection of shoes and accessories is unbelievably easy to navigate, so you can shop by size, color, brand -- from Dolce Vita and Loeffler Randall to Steve Madden to Thakoon -- price -- from $20 to well over $500 -- and even heel height! Why we love it: free overnight shipping on all new shoes and a 365-day return policy... for free! Favorite spring shoe pick: Kelsi Dagger orange suede bootie, $78.95. Pair with: grey skinny jeans and a crisp, white button-down.

LuLus.com: An always-affordable online-only on-trend clothing and accessory boutique that stocks Steve Madden, Jeffrey Campbell and runway-inspired brands. You'll be hard-pressed to find anything over $100. Why we love it: the constant rotation of irresistible sales, an expertly edited vintage collection, free shipping over $75. Favorite spring shoe pick: Jeffrey Campbell Virgo-Fab Natural raffia flat wedge booties, $106. Pair with: a citrus-colored romper or a navy shirtdress.

ModCloth.com: If Urban Outfitters went indie, ModCloth.com would be the result. The Pittsburgh-based online-only boutique born of out of owner Susan Kroger’s dorm room stocks expertly edited, whimsical indie brands like Seychelles, Irregular Choice, Shellys of London and 80%20 that always make us feel like we’re shopping with our most fun friend. Why we love it: Helpful what-to-wear-it-with tips, a blog that always inspires, and your order ships like a care package with a little surprise inside! Favorite spring shoe pick: Grey peep-toe wedges, $49.99. Pair with: charcoal-colored blousy tee, black flouncy skirt, and an army jacket.

Related:
+ These three pairs of shoes will transform your entire look!
+ Ladylike menswear flats.
+ Our favorite tights-and-shoes pairings.