Extreme Kicks: Fall’s Best Shoes

Alexander Wang Anya Choked Pumps, Donna Karan Flex Wood Bottom Sandals, Dolce Vita Marley Booties, 7 For All Mankind Parker Quilted Moto Booties, Report Signature Dante Ruffle Zipper Sandals, Elizabeth and James Valley Soft Cuff Booties.

The buzz surrounding spring shoes has been focused on footwear’s comfortable duo, kitten heels (here) and clogs (here), but looking at the others that marched down the runways, we have not yet seen the end of the extreme heel. (See Pipeline’s rundown, or just click through the Alexander McQueen runway shots. Wowza.)

From Modern Vintage to Juicy Couture, brands continue to pile on the drama, a sensation that has us casting podiatric warnings aside year after year and embracing heels that help us tower a little (or a lot) taller than what nature gave us. This fall, footwear takes on sculptural heights, with works of art that have the ability to elevate (both literally and figuratively) any outfit into avant-garde brilliance.

Take Donna Karan’s wooden-platform sandals. With tights and a long-sleeve mini-dress, the look is extremely haute. Pair 7 For All Mankind’s moto booties with tie-dye jeans and a slouchy tee, or Elizabeth and James’s slouchy booties with leather leggings and an oversized button-down, and you’ve got city cool with an edge.

So embrace those Report Signature thigh-high boots, those Balmain boots with the obsession-worthy zippers, those Alexander Wang choked pumps. After all, what is footwear if it can’t be fabulous?

--Amie
Shopbop