We have seen a real evolution in footwear these past seasons.  Boots shrank down to booties, the booties got cut outs, the cut outs got slimed down and refined. Pumps evolved from a standard heel to a slim stiletto; the stiletto got cut outs, the toes were showing.  Now it’s summer 2009 and the evolution continues.

The stiletto is still in but thin wedges are fighting for territory and cut outs have given way to straps.  When you hear “straps” and “shoe” in the same sentence, you think T-strap or ankle strap.  Well, those are there, but the straps literally wrap the foot, showing it off in a whole new way.  While the foot is being exposed, the ankle is being covered.  Funny, isn’t it – the ankle used to be a very sensual part of the body and was covered up.  Now, as shoes get sexier and sexier, the ankle is hidden or partially obscured from view by a series of straps, sling backs, or just flat out wrapped in fabric or leather.  The resulting look is completely alluring, mysterious, and captivating. 

Guess is at the forefront of this strappy trend and nowhere is this more apparent than Guess’ T-strap ankle wrap leather 5-inch heeled sandals.  Four straps cover the toes, four straps cover the top of the foot, and four straps joined by a buckle cover the ankle.  A light bondage theme can be seen here, much like when cut outs first burst on the scene.  Not to be outdone, Stuart Weitzman competes with a criss-cross strap over the foot and a single delicate strap over the ankle all towering on a 4-inch heel. 

Whether you like her or not, Jessica Simpson delivers shoes that are consistently on the cutting edge of fashion.  Well-made, trendy, and affordable, Ms. Simpson has a shoe with a serious “it” factor to suit any style.  With pumps, flats, boots, booties and more, the collection is massive, but each piece is flexible by being basic enough to blend into your wardrobe, but strong enough to stand out in a crowd.  The best part, you can often find Jessica’s pieces in the bargain bin at your local store.

Speaking of standing out in a crowd, you simply cannot mention this season’s shoe collections without including Chanel’s extremely controversial gun shoe.  The heel of the shoe is replica gun.  Wow.  That is not a sentence I ever imagined typing when it came to shoes.  Madonna wore them, but since Madonna is the original bad girl of pop culture and prone to sparking outrage, should we automatically think these shoes are in bad taste?  On the other hand, nothing like this has been seen in mainstream shoe fashion before.  Sure there have been some crazy styles…but a gun?  Could it be an elevated art form or another way of being personally expressive?  Bad taste or pure genius, we would be remiss not to give a nod to this notorious shoe for being a memorable part of 2009.

As designers continue to push the envelope when it comes to shoes, summer slips slowly into fall and we wait with baited breath to see what the new season will bring.  While I’m hoping for a plethora of new and innovative styles, I have to admit…I might be a wee bit disappointed if I don’t see a tiny tank heel.  Hmmmm….only time will tell!