For the longest time, pointy toes, high heels, and frou-frou dominated the catwalk. Girly girls rejoiced, but the rest of us said, “So fussy…” and “Ow!” Happily, the pendulum is now swinging the other way—the classic oxford is the coolest shoe going (this year worn laceless if you’re on the cutting-edge), and a clear masculine influence is everywhere on the runway.

But the new menswear-inspired shoes go beyond just tomboy appeal—these designs are devoted to modern women who need to go, go, go but who want to look stylish getting from here to there. Here are a few of Ped’s latest ways to do just that:

Chie Mihara always excels at putting a feminine and modern spin on classic styles. Case in point: the Darrer, Chie’s contribution to the laceless look:

So fun and super chic! The boys may have inspired the oxford, but the metallic leather and heel are just for us gals! Think how great this laceless beauty would look with a pencil skirt!

We are always begging Rafi and Ari at Cydwoq to rework some of their men’s designs for women. When they indulge us, the results are predictably fantastic, as demonstrated by the Date:

I couldn’t resist this one and got it for myself! I’ve hardly taken it off since i first laced it up! I’m a skirt-wearing kind of gal, and the Date is so flirty with my knee-length, A-line numbers!

Meanwhile, Ped’s Laura has a big crush on the Cydwoq Collect:

What a fantastic shoe! The woven brown leather is eye-opening and will have everyone talking! And the western-style buckle provides the perfect accent, as well as a custom fit.

Speaking of fun details, take a look at Cydwoq’s new Legal:

J’adore! This knockout flat calls to mind a classic golf shoe, with its smashing front flap punctuated by a central rivet. But the Legal is so much cooler than anything that’s ever hit the links and features “aging” grey leather that darkens with wear.

Cydwoq also uses “aging” grey leather in the Recent, which offers a hep-cat take on the interplay of masculine and feminine:

We love the fluid insets on the heel and toe. Plus, this loafer-like flat is a cinch to slip on and off, thanks to the artistic elastic lacing!

It’s not only shoes that are benefitting from putting a little male in the mix—check out the fabulous Deform ankle boot from Cydwoq:

When you buckle up this bootie, you are instantly going to become the object of envy for everyone who sees you! Definitely badass in the best kind of way!

We love all the different ways the above designs put an infusion of femme into traditionally male shoes, but if you simply want a timeless oxford, Fiorentini + Baker’s Eliza is the straight-up, gold standard:

So gorgeous. So comfortable. So beautifully made! And it looks GREAT with everything!

Sure, menswear is the inspiration for this new crop of wonderful shoes, but it’s the feminine twist that makes them must-haves! Classic sophistication was never so much fun—or such a treat to wear!

(By the way, this week’s Sweet Treat is Trippen’s incredibly comfortable  Sioux. Simply click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of an Ped page to land at the Sioux with the discount code that will bring 20% off at checkout!)

Did you see this New York Times article about the versatility of scarves? Apparently, stylists and trendsetters have suddenly discovered the myriad ways a beautiful scarf can rework a wardrobe—something Ped fans have known for years! The NYT may have declared the scarf the “IT” item of the season, but an exquisite scarf is timeless and will never go out of style. Many families pass them down from grandmother to mother to daughter.

Whether you’re new to scarves or a connoisseur, you’ll recognize Ped’s are delightfully different and true works of art. We’ve recently added a few new designs to let you wrap up summer in style!

Printed scarves my be pretty, but they can’t compare to the luxury and beauty of a loomed textile, where the pattern is actually woven into the fabric! Epice excels in just this area, hiring the most highly skilled and respected weavers in India to produce their designs. One of our summer favorites at Ped HQ is Epice’s Toulouse Scarf:

A tad smaller than Epice’s Rose Garden scarf, the Toulouse is still wide enough to wear as a shawl when you need just a little something on your shoulders. We love the “latte” color palette shown here, but this beauty also blooms in terracotta and marigold yellow.

Another pretty floral that will complement so many things in your closet is Epice’s Monte Carlo Scarf:

So light and soft, this all-cotton lovely is a luxury you’ll find yourself wearing every day. (Think beach pareo, think sarong, think sash…) Aqua not your favorite? We also have it in juicy lime green and dreamy lilac!

If you’re a Ped regular, you know how much we love stripes! So, Epice’s Avignon Scarf is right up our alley:

The combination of linen and cotton make this striped treat the perfect weight for warm-weather wear. We think the aqua / mocha combo pictured looks so fresh, but the Avignon in rose /mustard/ mocha is equally beautiful!

Another stripe-tastic creation from Epice is the gorgeous Chamonix Scarf:

Whereas the Avignon’s understated stripes run vertically, the Chamonix’s bolder stripes are arranged horizontally. Also available in a black / brown / blue palette, this sweetheart just happens to be the “Sweet Treat” through tomorrow, Tuesday, July 11. Just click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to reach the Chamonix with the discount code that will bring 20% off at checkout!

Speaking of deals, we recently added Sophie Digard’s wonderful Love & Chance Scarf to the Ped Summer Sale:

Sophie has scattered a beautifully loomed linen background with 85 hand-sewn velvet flowers—so pretty on a hot summer day! This Sophie Digard treasure also comes in fresh grass green. A labor of love well worth the original price of $398, it’s as refreshing as a glass of lemonade at $299.

Perfect for wearing to a garden party or wrapping around your shoulders during an al fresco dinner, Epice and Sophie Digard scarves are the summer romance your wardrobe has wished for!

Bring on the ice tea and turn on the fans because it’s as hot as blazes! When midsummer gets sultry, we like open-air breezes—and that goes for our feet, too! Although we love prancing around barefoot, feeling green grass beneath our soles and squeezing sand between our toes, it’s not always practical. Which is why a great summer sandal is a Ped fan’s best asset!

And do we ever have some terrific ones! Behold Ped’s favorite tried-and-true sandals that are almost better than barefoot:

Of course, the masters of summer sandal design are Rafi and Ari at Cydwoq! The way the leather of every pair conforms to your feet is simply heaven. Case in point, Cydwoq’s Copy:

So easy to wear anywhere, the Copy cradles your heel with a riveted back that comes around to tie at the ankle! Cool and sexy, just the way we like it! (And it comes in brown, too.)

Another stellar Cydwoq style is one I personally own: the Tomcat!

The way Cydwoq has meticulously cut the toe ring, so that a strap branches off it to arc gracefully over the foot, is elegant without being fussy! (Fans of black, rejoice, we also have  it in your favorite color.) I love mine so much that I recently took a pic of my happy feet :

My Tomcat-wearing toes are smiling and sparkly!

Perhaps you love the feeling of a wooden sole against your skin and the gentle sound it makes when you walk? Well, you’re in luck because Ped just received our summer shipment of Cydwoq’s fantastic Revolt sandal clog!

Ped’s Laura is wild about the beautifully textured turquoise and brown leather, but we also have the Revolt in black. Whichever you choose, it’s guaranteed to be your go-to summer shoe.

Those German design geniuses at Trippen also know a thing or two about strolling through summer in comfortable, arty style! Check out Trippen’s eye-popping Knit Sandal:

Yes, that’s right, the section running up the middle of your foot is literally knit leather! Meanwhile, the heel features Trippen’s sinuous seams running up the back! Cutting. Edge.

For Ped fans who love metallics (and I’m a card-carrying member of that club), the Trippen Nepal is just the ticket:

It’s an ideal travel sandal for long days of sight-seeing! Even as you turn every head you pass, your feet will stay comfortable with every step, mile after mile. (Plus it’s so pretty and shiny!)

But perhaps our favorite sandal this summer for sheer funky drama and all-out impact is Trippen’s Tarantula:

KA-BOOM! Now that’s how to amp up the style! You’ll look as hot as the weather wherever you walk in this super-sexy sandal boot that stands on Trippen’s über-comfortable t-shaped wedge! (We love it!)

As always, there are plenty more sandals at Ped’s main site, ready to help your dogs survive the dog days of summer! So, slip on something airy and let your toes frolic in the sun!

(By the way, although not a sandal, this week’s Sweet Treat is about as sweet as it gets: Fiorentini + Baker’s spectacular Paula Boot!!! Simply click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to arrive at the Paula with the magic code that brings a cool 20% off at checkout! Happy Fourth of July!)