As daylight dwindles and the mercury sinks lower, the sock drawer once again opens. Yawn.

Wake up! If you think putting on socks is as exciting as watching paint dry, you clearly need to sass up how you warm your toes! Pulling on the woolies can be wonderful with a little help from Emiko and Junko, the Japanese mother-daughter team behind Antipast!

This season’s shipment of Antipast goodies just arrived at the Ped warehouse, and every whimsical pair puts the “fun” in “functional” and brings out the “win” in “winter”! Take a look:

When the days go grey, what we really crave is color and lots of it! Antipast to the rescue:

We are mad for all things striped, so these Gradation socks are just the ticket! We think their architectural pattern is reminiscent of the window-paned walls of Mies van der Rohe’s buildings. (Like knee-highs? You’re in luck!)

Stripes are terrific, but we also love dots. Put the two together, and you’ve got a party down below! Behold Antipast’s cute-as-can-be Candy Knee Highs:

How fun are these? Imagine how jazzy these sweethearts would look with short-ish skirts and mary janes or ankle boots! (Prefer trouser-length socks? You can still have your stripes and dots!)

Stripes also add a dash of fun to Antipast’s Cokrico socks:

We love wearing florals in winter because it reminds us of spring. The bouquets on the Cokrico are like a garden party for your ankles! (Want even more flowers? Pull on the knee high version!)

Need something a little more subdued (though never boring)? How about Antipast’s Pearl Shower Knee Highs?

Strands of pearls cascade from a central medallion, draping across a geometric diamond pattern. The toes, heels, and top band provide a pop of brilliant color. (You can also go luxe with a trouser-length sock.)

Another “quiet” Antipast lovely is the Diamond Flower sock:

So pretty! Stylized clusters of flowers drift like colorful snowflakes across a subdued diamond-patterned background. (Yes, we have knee highs in this pattern, too!)

Sometimes it’s kind of a shame shoes and boots inevitably cover up Antipast’s artistry. Case in point: this season’s beautiful Peace Bird socks:

Yes, the spectacular peacocks spreading their colorful tail feathers are the stars of the show, but the chevron stripes and windowpane pattern over the foot are stunning! (It can be your little art secret!)

We’ve saved the most eye-popping Antipast sock for the finale (and it’s our favorite): the New World Knee High!

Colorful camouflage? Look closer! These knee highs are alive with fantastic landscapes, rolling with woodland hills and pastures dotted with grazing cows. Stuck in a boring meeting? Just look down at your legs for a pick-me-up! (We also have trouser-length New Worlds!)

Who knew keeping your tootsies toasty could be so much fun? Just think how many people’s days you’ll brighten simply by wearing your Antipast out and about!

(Any of Antipast’s knee highs would look fantastic topping off this week’s Sweet Treat, Cydwoq’s Pilot Boot! You have until Tuesday to take 20% off by clicking “be sweet to your feet” at the top of any Ped page, which will whisk you to the Pilot, where you’ll find the magic code to enter at checkout.)

Ped fans, sorry to leave you hanging! We meant to give you another color infusion much sooner, but this, that, and the other thing kept us from it. Nevertheless, it’s never too late to sing the BLUES! Definitely one of the “it” colors, blue comes in myriad shades this fall. Let’s explore, shall we?

If anyone knows a thing or two about color, it’s Chie Mihara! Check out her blue-licious Zuli heeled oxford:

The platform may be ’70s retro, but the styling is utterly modern. The Zuli‘s combination of matte black leather (love the perforated edges!!!) and cobalt blue suede is mesmerizing!

Need something a little more conservative (but not too) for the office? Cydwoq’s Trasmit is just the semi-rebellious ticket:

How cool is this lake-blue pump? Sure, it’s “lady” enough to wear with jacket and skirt, but that faux croc toe let’s everyone know you’re ready to take a bite out of them with your style!

If you like that particular shade of blue but want something casual, consider lacing up the Cydwoq Display:

Cydwoq remakes the oxford in a new way, with angled edges and a squared-off toe! And the lake-blue leather once again looks luscious!

Cydwoq takes blue into boot territory with the terrific Statue:

The way the design shows off the natural edge along the exposed seams, in contrast with the Statue‘s inky blue leather, is stunning! What a rock star—this low boot will have people asking for your autograph!

Natural-edged seams also amp up  the charm of Trippen’s California bootie:

The tumbled leather of this back-laced lovely is sooooo soft, and the petrol hue is a muted teal blue. Fun, funky, and comfortable—Trippen does it again! Swing that fringe!

Another blue boot that will be your true-blue friend forever is Fiorentini + Baker’s Emmy:

As many of you have discovered, the quality of Fiorentini + Baker’s craftsmanship make their boots worth every penny! We particularly love how the Emmy‘s tough-girl design looks in this romantic Blue Moon color—as pretty as a night sky!

But maybe buckles, laces, and zippers are not what you have in mind; all you want is an easy slip-on in a cool color. Behold the Vialis Kate!

A clog unlike any other you’ll encounter—the leather-lined wool felt will bring the house down with its rich petrol color! But the Kate‘s beauty is more than skin deep; it also feels oh-so comfortable on, with a curved sole designed to roll with the motion of your stride!

Our last blue indulgence doesn’t quite follow the rules, but it’s just so cool we can’t resist including it! Take a gander at Trippen’s Treasure:

This brown boot gets its high-voltage “wow’ from its electric-blue edges! The exposed seams open and close to flow over the boot in wavy rivulets! Beyond gorgeous! When you want to wear a show stopper, your fortune lies in the Treasure!

So many blue-tastic choices—luckily, every option is a winner! Who knew having the blues could be so much fun?

(By the way, you have until Tuesday to snag this week’s blue-edged Sweet Treat: the Trippen Wind Boot! Click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to land at the Wind with the magic discount code that will bring a sweet 20% off at checkout!)

Last spring when I returned from the shoe shows in Paris and Milan, I told you this fall and winter would be colorful! Now, as promised, we’re off and running with the hued shoes! First up, RED!

In our previous post, celebrating Trippen, we showed you the spectacular Corset boot. But it’s just one of the red temptations from Trippen this season. For instance, who can resist the Wicked?

We are totally taken with the way Trippen has subtly stitched the  buttery leather to create folds that cascade down the front of this bootie! Stunning—yet comfortable and light, thanks to the “cups” rubber sole.

Trippen takes the same shade of red to new heights with the knockout Mexico boot:

Everyone at Ped HQ is in love with this “Rubin Red,” which reminds us of cayenne peppers. Spicy and delicious! Plus, the extra-long laces offer a wealth of ways to style the Mexico!

Trippen uses a slightly darker shade of red leather to create the smashing new Captain:

Take a closer look at the buckle on this great low boot—the strap extends right out of the leather that forms the shaft! Clever! And the Red Wine color makes us thirsty!

As long as we’re on the topic of wine-red leathers, the burgundy shade of Cydwoq’s Seek is intoxicating!

Deep and delicious, this darkest of dark reds makes the sexy Seek even more seductive! Pair this with your fave little black dress, and take your pick of the hearts beating faster at the sight of you!

And if going glam is your game, then consider buckling up Chie Mihara’s Quesquece:

Holy cannoli, this curvy t-strap gives new meaning to the term “red hot”! The combination of the deep red patent leather trim with the crimson suede is dazzling!

Of course, menswear-inspired styles are also au courant. Perhaps the red version of the Fiorentini + Baker Eliza might be your cup of tea:

Heaven help us, we LOVE this shoe! The Eliza is truly the oxford to end all oxfords, and a ruddy color just enhances its rugged beauty!

Which brings us to our rosy finale, another Fiorentini + Baker favorite looking lovely in red, the timeless Eli ankle boot:

As beautiful as a sugar maple tree in fall, this luscious red looker will rev up your style! Motors all over the world will run a little hotter after seeing you out and about in the Eli!

And that’s not all the red at Ped—lots more spicy styles are ready to set your heart on fire over at Ped’s main site. So get the lead out and put the red on!

Stay tuned, Ped fans, next we do blue!

(By the way, this week’s Sweet Treat is the Vialis Greta. It may not be red-hued, but it’s definitely red hot! Just click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to land at the Greta with the discount code that will bring 20% off at check0ut!)

Every season we go on and on about what geniuses the German designers at Trippen are, how amazing their leathers and craftsmanship are, and how they’ve really outdone themselves with the latest styles! But honestly, Ped fans, every season it’s TRUE!

This fall is no exception. When the latest Trippen boxes arrived at the Ped warehouse, every boot and shoe we unpacked had us shouting, “WOW!” Think we’re exaggerating? Please see for yourself:

Just when all the beautiful boots out there start to blur together, along comes Trippen to open our eyes to things utterly new and different! Consider the Wind:

WOW! Too cool for school (but feel free to wear them there anyway), this mid-calf boot’s blue-edged seams vine around the shaft, while a zipper zings up the back!

Like the seams but looking for something lower to the ground? Here’s a tasty temptation: the Trippen Oven:

WOW! Longtime Ped fans know if there’s one way to turn my head, it’s with a great green shoe! And the Oven keeps it turned with its seaming and saucy lace-up back!

Trippen also uses back lacing to fabulous effect in the new California boot:

WOW! Be still our fringe-loving hearts! What a Bohemian beauty! The way the natural edges contrast with the petrol-colored leather is spectacular!

Prefer your lacing up front? Trippen’s got your number in the sizzling Corset:

WOW! The structural design of this boot is stunning—vertical seams create a “corset” around your ankle and then flare into a dramatic ruffle around the top. Industrial down below and flirtatious above!

Taking the ankle boot in a completely different and pared-down direction, Trippen dishes up the Diesel:

WOW! We heart this little boot so much it leaves us breathless! The dual zipper is fun and clever, and the curry-colored leather is lip-smackingly delicious. (Plus, if you forget to pack your clutch, it can do double duty…)

If you’re charmed by the Diesel’s zippy zipper design but wish it were on a taller boot, Trippen grants your wish with the Super:

WOW! Versatile and comfortable yet with super-sized style, the Super is definitely a contender for the title of Must-Have Boot of the Season!

Trippen hasn’t forgotten those of you who like to step out the door with flash and panache! Brace yourselves:

WOW! Futuristic, industrial, and as chic as the day is long, Trippen’s Brace is the boot for making maximal impact! Shine on, sisters!

And those are just the tip of the eye-opening Trippen iceberg that’s definitely keeping things cooler than cool at Ped HQ! Lots more Trippen styles await your ogling over at Ped’s main site, so go get an eyeful!

Today we complete our transect through the boot paradise that is Ped. We wind things up on a high note with a duo of tall boots!

Fiorentini + Baker rises above the rest when it comes to knee-high boots. The Emma embodies why:

Streamlined and sophisticated, the Emma is one long stretch of luxurious Italian leather, punctuated perfectly by lacing at the top of the back (talk about form meeting function)! The Italian craftsmanship is exquisite. The comfort is divine. And the look is to die for! We are wild about the Emma in the new elmo/dark grey color shown, but it also comes in dark brown and black.

Hankering to go even higher? Fiorentini + Baker’s Edel is the tallest boot we carry:

F+B’s interpretation of the traditional riding boot is a knockout, featuring a super-supple unlined leather shaft that rises a statuesque 17″. Pull it up or let it slouch a bit, the choice is yours—as is whether to go for the Edel in black (pictured) or dark brown.

And so we come to the end of our boot-a-licious feast. Did you get enough? Are you full? If not, there are even more boots to tempt you at Ped’s main site. Whatever height and style you choose, you’re going to look sensational this fall (and next fall and the fall after that…)!