Women’s fashion: Find creative footwear options for spring weather in boat shoes, sandals, wedges

Now that spring has finally sprung, it’s time to put away your Uggs and break out the boat shoes. Warmer weather means perfectly pedicured toes and sexy sandals. Lucky for you, there are plenty of affordable options for warm weather footwear that can promise quality and trendiness for seasons to come.

Boat shoes: A classic pair of brown leather boat shoes can be one of the most versatile items in your closet. These cool and casual shoes work with shorts, pants, crops or even a dress. They’re also a great alternative to tennis shoes because they too offer good support and protect your entire foot.

Gladiator sandals: Still in style and offering tons of design options, these shoes are perfect for everyday wear or special occasions. Look for leather soles with a bit of cushion to avoid blisters on the bottoms of your feet. Don’t be afraid to look for pairs in bright colors, patent material or bold jewels. Super strappy designs can be a bit more casual while a T-strap design will dress up any sundress.

Ballet flats: In bold colors, ballet flats are super springy footwear. Look for vibrant colors like canary yellow, cerulean and hot pink to pair with jeans or basic white pants. You can also opt for flats in a floral print or striped canvas pattern. It will take some time to find a pair that fit your feet comfortably and don’t feel like they’ll give you blisters after the first few wears. 

Wedges: Even the clumsiest of college girls can pull off a wedge heel with ease. The chunky heel and groundedness of the shoe makes it easy to walk in and more supportive than the average sandal. Wedges made from cork tend to be the most supportive and will give you the least amount of joint pain after long periods of wear. Look for pairs with thicker straps to avoid blisters on your ankles and near your toes. 

Peep-toe platforms: Peep-toe platform pumps are a great dress shoe option for the springtime. It’s a bit more conservative than a strappy sandal and will protect more of your foot from the spring showers that you risk running into in April. A patent leather pair in nude is your most practical option, but think about bright colors or even prints if you want something more creative.

Shoes can bring an entire outfit together. If you look great from your head to your toes, you’ve created a stylish look that is most likely right on trend. Don’t be too concerned about spending a ton of money on spring shoes because it’s more than likely that you’ll do so much walking in them that they won’t last more than a few seasons. Find ones that are comfortable and made well enough to last at least through August. By next spring you’ll be looking for a new pair to go with whatever weather Mother Nature sends your way.