Shoe trends: From runway to real way

The trend: Lace-up heels
The runway: Fendi
The real way: Karl Lagerfeld used bold extras, notably extra-wide belts and lace-up wedges, to anchor his floaty, feminine confections. The goods news? This translates easily into real life: Lace-up heels are perfect for giving menswear flair to a femme fatale look.

The trend: Cage shoes
The runway: Erin Fetherston
The real way: For the longest looking legs, choose nude-hued heels and pair them with as-short-as-you-dare skirts, shorts or a jumpsuit in the season's new neutrals. If soft and girly isn't your thing, opt for a black pair for a look that's edgy and drop-dead sexy.

The trend: Bright colour
The runway: Louboutin for Phillip Lim
The real way: Spring '09 is all about neutrals and pops of colour. We can't think of a better way to get the look than with a bright shoe. Another way to rock this trend? Choose your favourite hue - we love ocean blue - and wear it with same colour tights for a modern monochromatic style

The trend: Ankle cuffs
The runway: Max Azria
The real way: Best worn with basic and pared down pieces, like a sleek jersey dress, the exaggerated cuffs can be treated just like an ankle strap. Translation? Avoid wearing them with cropped pants. Unless you're ultra-tall, know that a cuff in a colour other than nude can break up your leg line and make your legs looks short.

The trend: White
The runway: Marc by Marc Jacobs
The real way: White sandals for summer are nothing new but this season, look for wide multi-strap, chunky heels (or flats - nothing in between!) and intricate detailing. Be sure to delete the word "dainty" from your footwear vocab for now and wear your white shoes with everything and anything - except an entirely white outfit.

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