Spring has Definitely Sprung April 20, 2010

With the warm weather finally being consistent, it makes me anticipate the arrival of the warmer days of spring and eventually summer.  Naturally with warmer weather comes the weather appropriate clothes and the changing of the seasons is always a good time to invest in some new threads.  What better way to expand your wardrobe than to do it on a budget?

This summer, I think I’d like to invest in a few cute sundresses and a decent pair of sandals.  Something that can be dressed up or down and be stylish in any situation.  It would seem that the trend is still with earth tones and gladiator sandals, but I prefer to keep things cute with pastels and flat, peeptoe styles.

When shopping around for your pair of spring/summer shoes there are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Will this style fit my own style?
2. Will this color match most of my wardrobe?
3. What is my budget?

If your wardrobe leans more toward one fashion style than another, then get something to fit that aesthetic.  When picking a color, pick something that can match the most clothing possible.  This doesn’t necessarily mean to pick a neutral color, bright colors can be easily tied into outfits through accessories or by matching with colors in the fabrics.

My personal budget is small, so here are some shoe finds for under $25.

These payless flats are both bright and subdued.  With their simple design they can fit well with most styles and the yellow version (they also come in brown) adds a splash of color to any outfit.

From the always wonderful 15DollarStore, these red polkadot flats can add a bold and retro flair to your summer outfits.

Zapatopia on Ebay has a nice selection of cute slingback peeptoes in an array of colors.  The pink version with the knotted bow adds a cute, feminine touch to an outfit, whether you’re wearing pants or dresses.

Short shorts made of linens, denim mini skirts, or sundresses go great with these styles of shoes.  Sundresses make a great addition to a summer wardrobe because of their versatility.  They can be worn on their own with some nice sandals and a sunhat for a nice day in the sun, or wear them with a pair of kitten heels and a cardigan for a night out.  You can find them in a variety of colors and prints, as well as different styles like empire waists or full circle skirts.

Personally, I plan to put my sewing abilities to work and make my own sun dresses.  Simplicity has some nice patterns, and fabric stores typically carry pre-shirred fabrics that are simply just sewn together to make a dress.

Accessorize your summer look with some beaded jewelry, big sunglasses, and bright nail polish!