This post is long overdue. I’ve been meaning to write it but just never got around to it until today. If you’re a shoe addict and you watch trends like a hawk, then you probably already know what I’m going to write. If not, then good for me, because that means I’ll be giving you some useful information today.

Shoe trends for Fall/Winter 2010-2011 are characterized by a lot of things – some new, some current, and some old that are making a comeback. Let’s start with the trend that is my eternal favorite:

Pointy Toe Shoes

I love pumps with pointy toes. I am very glad they’re back. I think it’s  feminine and sexy. Stella McCartney and Prada are just some of the brands bringing back this look.

Stella McCartney

Stiletto Heels

Of course, pointy toe pumps would not be perfect without stiletto heels, which is why this type of heel is hot once more. Hurray again! Sexy footwear is back!

Prada

Chunky Heels

Ah well, I don’t think we will be seeing the last of chunky heels anytime soon. Most women after all, prefer comfort and safety rather than the hard core sexiness you get from killer stiletto heels.

Dries Van Noten

Corrugated Soles

Hey, we need it. It’ll help us weather through the wet grounds caused by snow and rain and keep us from the embarrassment of slipping.

Tory Burch

Fur and Fringe Boots

Fall and winter would not be complete without boots and fur. Actually even fringes are stealing a portion of the scene. Check out the fringed YSL pump below.

Chanel – Sergio Rossi – YSL

Buckles

Yes, if the boots or shoes don’t have fur or fringes on it, it will most likely have buckles; lots of buckles, as seen on these shoes from Christian Dior.

Dior

Lace Up Boots

Well, here’s a trend that is enjoying the privilege of crossing over to Fall. Lace up shoes – from boots to booties.

Alexander Wang

Color Blocks or Color Combos

Who’d have thought that shoes would be getting some of the color block stylin’ so popular in clothes? That’s one of the hot things for fall, shoes with lots of color combination.

Balenciaga

Wedges

Like chunky heels, wedges are quite hard to let go of as well because of its “degree of comfortability” (is that a word or what?). Obviously I made that word up, but you get the picture right? Wedges will still definitely be hot. They’re easy to wear and they’re practical, hence they’re staying.

3.1 Philipp Lim - Thakoon

High Heels with Thick Platforms

Ok, I think this is actually a good thing, right? Because that means you can walk in high heels and not worry so much about hurting your feet because the platforms are thick. What do you think?

Calvin Klein

Exotic Skins/Animal Prints

This one is a trend that keeps coming back every fall and winter. It’s a perennial trend, if you can even call it that (hmmm…how can a trend be perennial? Or how can something perennial be a trend?). This year though, exotic skinned beauties made an early visit by appearing in spring.

Rochas

Well, there you have it. Considering the mile long list, it’s really up to you which trend you’re going to take in and which you’re going to throw out the window. With that said, try catching it with some of the shoes below and remember  that great stylin’ need not follow every single trend that falls on your lap.

First Row: Nine West Barb Pump, US$69; RSVP Jaceline Pump, US$88; Franco Sarto View Pump, US$89; BCBGMax Azria Toby Bootie, US$257;

Second Row: Capelta Gold Star Fur Boot, US$695; Not Rated Double D 2 Boot, US$70; 7 For All Mankind Everly Lace Up Boot, US$395; D & G Multicolored Pump, US$599;

Third Row: Kensie Girl Starr Pump, US$49; MARC by Marc Jacobs Ankle Boot, US$350; Steve Madden Annton Bootie, US$130;

Fourth Row: Michael Antonio Leno Pump, US$48; Rock & Republic Angie Bootie, US$295; Promiscuous  Trecey Bootie, US$67

(References: Style.com; MillionLooks.com)

Blog hopping brought me over to Celine at The Shoe Girl’s Blog, and she posted some really cute pictures of her and some just-as-cute shoes in her second latest entry:

The Shoe Girl

Yes, she’s playing in the rain in seriously high platform pumps. Those shoes look very unsuitable for rainy weather in these pictures, but wait ’til you see ‘em up close:

As Celine put it, talk about non-slip.

These are the Yves Saint Laurent Trooper Platform Pumps. They’re gorgeous, perfect, beautiful, flawless, and etc. That gold shine on the platforms also looks dazzling when the light hits it, as you can see for yourself in Celine’s pictures above.

But as for traction? Well, put it this way: Celine decided to change out of these babies as soon as the drizzle turned into a downpour.

The good news is that these YSLs are now more than 50% off – from the original high price of $695.00, they’re now a comparatively more manageable $313.00. The bad news is that they’re now out of stock.

So I went looking for some possible alternatives, and here’s what I unearthed:

These are the Brent pumps from BCBG Max Azria. They’re a far cry from the YSLs – they’re not platforms, the gold color isn’t there, and the heels are square stacks instead of stilettos. But they do have the grippy rubber soles. They’re also now only $130.00.

But if you’re coveting the gold platform look more than the rubber sole like I am, then maybe these shoes will work better for you:

Bebe Shoes Baxter Sandal, $189.99

The rubber platform pumps may not hold up very well in the rain, but you gotta hand it to YSL – they look amazing in pictures.

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