Anything goes for summer

Bright and bold colors. Black and white patterns. Strappy sandals, ballet flats and casual tennis shoes. These are the fashion trends to watch for on the feet of women in Southeast Missouri as warmer weather approaches.

"Anything goes for the summer," said Tara Hollis, a sales associate in Macy's shoe department. "You're going to see a little bit of everything."

From ballet flats and peep toe high heels to casual tennis shoes and the classic flip-flops, women are paying a lot more attention to what's on their feet in recent years.

"Generally women own a bunch of shoes, but you still want that one classic look -- a shoe that's a staple for your whole wardrobe and something you can wear with anything," said Jen Rose, a sales associate with Payless Shoesource.

So what's hot in the fashion world of feet? West Park Mall shoe experts weigh in on spring and summer's most popular fashion trends.

Bejewelled silvers, starkly contrasted blacks and whites, and bright patented leathers are among the selections at Macy's.

Tara Hollis, a sales associate in Macy's shoe department

Brightly colored patent leather

"Any color of the patent leather is big for spring and summer. These shoes come in pink, blue, green, red, blue, white -- any color you want. Sandals or close-toed shoes are made in the patent leather and these can be worn with anything."

Silver

"The gaudier the better. These shoes are being worn at the proms, but then a lot of girls are wearing them out to the bars or to work."

Thongs at The Buckle (Kit Doyle)

Black and white

"Another big trend is the black and white statement. You can get these shoes with polka dots, stripes, plaids -- anything using the black and white color. The bolder pattern needs to be worn with a solid color like red or green."

Keanna Hamptiol, a sales associate at the Buckle

Casual tennis shoes

"The Bullboxer brand of tennis shoes are really comfortable and really trendy right now. Tennis shoes can be worn any time of year -- with shorts or jeans."

Thongs at The Buckle. (KIT DOYLE ~kdoyle@semissourian.com)

Sandals with straps

"The classic brown sandals with straps are really dressy and comfortable. A lot of people are really going for the sandals with a heel."

Canvas slip-on shoes

"The Rocket Dog shoes are what's in right now. They're flat, and people just love the way they feel. The shoes come in a bunch of different styles -- you've got the plaid ones, the flowers all over them. They can definitely be worn with just about anything in the spring and summer."

Jen Rose, a sales associate at Payless Shoesource

Ballet flats

"These come in a couple of different styles and colors. Pale pink flats are really popular for spring. The ballet flat is so versatile because you can wear it at day or night. That's something that's big right now, the versatility of shoes. Having a shoe you can wear with different outfits or at night and during the day is big."

Bright colors

"Anything that's bright is in for the spring. The pink, turquoise, green or yellow -- all of those bright colors are in the clothing stores right now. To be able to match your shoe color with your outfit is pretty big for the spring."

Peep toes

"The peep toes come as a flat or heel. It's a closed toe shoe with a tiny opening on the end to shoe off a couple of your toes. You can get your pedicure and still have it show but the shoes look real dressy. Even though it is a dressy shoe, a lot of people wear them with jeans and it looks really cute."

jfreeze@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 246