Lady LUX

Last September during London Fashion Week, Lady LUX noticed espadrille wedges dominating the runways, as mentioned in our runway trend report. Appearing in the collections of Burberry Prorsum, Jonathan Saunders, Jaeger London and Mulberry, it was obvious the espadrille wedge is the must-have shoe of the Spring season. The wedge appeared in sky-high and flatform versions with a vibrant smattering of details including African tribal touches, bright colors, exotic materials and unique upper patterns. With Spring officially just a few short weeks away, it’s time to make sure your wardrobe is equipped with the proper footwear to welcome the warmer days.

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Mixing two unlikely materials in the most beautifully unexpected way, dune-colored tweed meets woven raffia in this Pelle Moda wedge. With a towering 4.5-inch heel, the peep-toe pump features a removable, wraparound grosgrain ankle strap. The grosgrain material also appears as a panel along the sole to contrast with the raffia. Style this neutral wedge with chic graphic dresses or Hawaiian print rompers to welcome the new season.

Classic and simple, Dolce Vita’s suede espadrille is a footwear staple. The wedge sandal boasts a simple peep-toe vamp and ankle strap that is easily wearable with brightly colored cropped trousers or virtually any Spring ensemble. The 4.5-inch wedge is balanced with a 1.5-inch platform for major comfort. Plan for long walks on the beach in these.

Jean-Michel Cazabat’s suede wedges are overlasted with espadrille for a different look. The open-toe wedge pump offers a thin ankle-strap for detail. Available in tan, black or red, pair these with cuffed skinny jeans, minidresses or shorts to show off the interesting silhouette.

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Denim and raffia go together like peas and carrots, and Sergio Rossi capitalized on this winning combination for his wedge pump. The open-toe style features a denim upper with a removable leather wraparound ankle strap. For a fun look, combine these with dark denim jeans or skirt for a monochrome effect. The denim would also complement ombre options well.

No one does vibrant print patterns like Missoni and these flatforms are all the proof you need. The graphic knits come in “aqua wave” and “coral wave” colors and are contrasted with tan leather trim and an espadrille midsole. Style these wedges with a solid neutral colored dress to let them take center stage.

Striped for a hint of nautical, Splendid’s slingback pump wedge is flirty and fun. The slingback strap is wrapped in jute to match the wedge heel and contrast with the stripes. With a 4-inch heel and a 2-inch platform, you can wear these all through the summer with sweet dresses or bikini-clad ensembles. Play up the stripes by mixing them with floral prints or colorblock numbers.

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Edmundo Castillo’s wedge embodies a sporty vibe with a black and blue color combination. The T-strap pattern features a beading that complements the two-tone espadrille covered platform wedge. Take the unexpected route and pair the quintessential spring material with edgy leather pants or style with socks for quirky appeal.

As essential as wedges are to Spring, so are metallic shades. Rebecca Minkoff combines the two in her wedge that features a unique upper of interlocking straps. The distressed metallic silver leather plays against the natural espadrille in a refreshing manner. With both materials acting in a neutral palette, the ensemble options with these sandal wedges are endless.

This article was contributed by Annette Tang of the VersaStyle. You can follow Annette and her fashion adventures on Twitter at @theversastyle.

Tagged in: trends, guides, footwear, rebecca minkoff, sergio rossi, dolce vita, wedge, spring 2012 trends, splendid, espadrille wedge, pelle moda, london fashion week spring 2012, edmundo castillo, jean-michel cazabat,

Fashion / Trends