Foot frenzy - trends to know

Chunky clogs, pernicious platforms, well-balanced wedges, and everything in between was spotted on the runway this season. With so many trends to choose from, every girl will be able to find and flaunt her own sense of style.

Floral Footwear
Fashioned from lace and tulle, flowers literally bloom from the top of these shoes. “Girly girls” who love all things feminine and sweet will fall for Valentino's ladylike sandals. Yves Saint Laurent's take on floral footwear comes in a vivid, rosette-adorned, blood-red suede mule. Always taking it one step further, Viktor & Rolf's pastel heels are decked out with nude, peach, pink and lavender rosebuds, along with up to the knee ruffled leather. Sweet and feminine, but a little edgier is Fendi's ballet wrap sandal, which features peach silk banding that ties around the foot, like a ballerina.

Ethnic Treads
Ladies who are loving “the ethnic vibe,” drooling over the techno bright tie-dyes of Proenza Schouler, and feathered tribal frocks ala Louis Vuitton, this season, will likely fall for the shoes to match. Enter the banded and braided platform, with a beige and black tribal print, from Givenchy. Always getting it right, Giuseppe Zanotti created a gorgeous pair of beaded embellished sandals, garnished with chains, intricate embroidery, and gems. Jil Sander took this trend into “mod territory” by creating a platform pump, available in emerald, sapphire, sunshine yellow or red satin, which features a heel fashioned out of copper rod.

Big Bad Boots
TEN HUP! The military look has shoes to match, and yes, they are far more fashionable than the typical infantry-issued kickers. While contemporary designers are doing their own take(s), they still look to Doc Marten as the initiator of this trend.

This past fall, Jean-Paul Gaultier collaborated with the brand, creating a wild thigh-high pair, with a cut-out pattern and some serious style cred. Other army-inspired creations have been spotted too, with Balmain leading the pack.

Studded beige suede booties look so right when paired with military and tough-looking pieces like: slouchy, skinny cargos, shredded tees and tanks, and sergeantstyle jackets. Rock the Chloe canvas and buckle platforms with anything to incorporate the trend, without going all out. Chloe keeps it modern with a stacked wooden heel and gold detailing on the buckles, but the original idea remains thanks to their olive green piping and brown canvas.

High-Maintenance Heels
Girls craving glamour will have to search neither far nor wide as glitz was hardly absent in this season's shoe collections. Take Prada, for example: models sashayed down the runway sporting chandelier- like shoes that featured dangly, glittering crystals all over their straps and heel. Classic and glam animal print was also spied at the likes of Alexander Wang in the form of a trendy wedge, while over at always sexy Dolce & Gabbana, sky high mules and strappy sandals were seen in leopard. Brightercolour seeking fashionistas will favour Jimmy Choo's super-skinny strappy snakeskin sandals, available in rich shades of cobalt and aquamarine.

Uncontrived Clogs
Translated into footwear by many designers this spring, the “natural look” clearly is a style that goes well beyond makeup and hair. Trend-dictating megabrand Chanel re-introduced the clog, and much of the fashion industry followed suit. From Miu Miu's satin and leather sandal to Marc Jacobs' platform, and even a strappier 2010 take by Givenchy, many versions and variations were done. Giving off a similar laid-back cool vibe, crochet espadrilles and woven shoes were a hit, with Thakoon, Elizabeth and James, and Michael Kors leading the pack.

Although there were many “defining” shoe trends this season, all of them are ready-to-wear. From brights to strappy nudes, sky high platforms, and demure pumps, the best part about all this? A girl can change her shoes as often as she changes her mind!