The variety of boots this fall is virtually endless: flats, heels, wedges, lace-ups, buckle-straps, laceless, rugged, girly, rock ‘n’ roll, etc. Every woman can find one (or two or three) she wants, but wading through all the options can take quite a while.

So to make browsing more bite-sized, we’ve decided to offer several quick samplers of Ped’s boots, arranged by height. Every blog post for the next few days will be like a tasting menu—or boot tapas, if you will! Enjoy! It’s all delicious!

Today’s installment focuses on ankle boots that are barely boots (they just made the height requirement to get on the coaster). Sometimes called “shooties” because they walk the fine line between shoes and booties, these designs may have short shafts, but they’re long on style!

Since we were singing the praises of Pep Monjo yesterday, let’s start with a sweetheart from the company he founded, the Argila Anna:

Like a femmed-up version of a motorcycle boot, the Anna charms with a perforated design over the toe and a supple front, pinked at the top and cinched into a loose ruffle by the buckle strap. Pretty and practical, this little boot goes with everything!

Another versatile beauty is Coclico’s Rilke:

We love the tie and tongue at the back—it’s always fun to give those behind you something to see! Plus, the Rilke is made of the softest grey suede imaginable!

Looking for something with a little more va-va-va voom? See what you think of Cydwoq’s Elevate:

This is one of our favorite new styles from Rafi and Ari at Cydwoq! The serpentine curves and mix of leathers is simply spectacular! Choose from either brown and silvery faux croc (pictured) or black and burnout paisley pony (perfect for you steampunk lovers).

Nice, you say, but you want a boot with “go big or go home” boldness! Well, Cydwoq’s Indies has that and then some:

Rock ‘n’roll, sister! Cydwoq’s riveted red lace-up will have everyone wishing they were in your boots!

These are just a few of the low-riding lovelies over at Ped’s main site. (For instance, we know we just showed you the Fiorentini + Baker Celia a few days ago, but it really is worth oohing and aahing over again!)

Be sure to come back tomorrow when we take things up an inch or two!

Ped fans, let’s all take a minute to appreciate that fate brought together Italian interior designer Gianpaolo Fiorentini and British shoe virtuoso Deborah Baker! Their combined genius created the powerhouse that is Fiorentini + Baker, everybody’s favorite bootmaker!

And with good reason—F+B uses old-school Italian cobbling techniques to turn leathers and suedes of the highest quality into timeless styles with a modern sensibility. Fiorentini + Baker pays close attention to every detail of every design, and does it ever show! Better still, F+B’s meticulously crafted boots feel as wonderful as they look and last a lifetime.

This fall Ped adds three new styles to our expanding F+B family, and we’re offering several longtime favorites in fresh colors! Bella, bella, bella!

We humbly suggest you consider F+B’s new Pansy your new BBF (Best Boot Friend):

So simple in its design yet so breathtaking in its impact, this gorgeous suede number looks smashing with any length skirt, and it’s just as fab with jeans! The Bordeaux wine shade of the suede is delicious, but we also carry the Pansy in a rich brown—utterly beautiful!

A perennial question we hear at Ped is, “Do you have cowboy boots?” Thanks to Fiorentini + Baker’s new Enola, we can finally answer, “Yes, ma’am!”

The classic ranch style has undergone an Italian makeover to turn it into an urban knockout! The flirty Enola is crafted from the supplest suede to give it a sexy slouch! Here’s a happy conundrum: How to choose between the grey ice (pictured) and dark brown versions?

Looking for something with a little attitude? Let your inner rocker chick out to play in Fiorentini + Baker’s new Celia:

The brass studs arcing across the buckle strap drive home the Celia‘s take-no-prisoners approach to style! What a kickass way to become the talk of the town!

Now that you’ve met our three new boot beauties, say hello to several old friends in new colors!

Look how lovely the double-buckled Emmy is in Bordeaux wine:

Of course, we also have the Emmy in black, blue moon, anthracite (Laura’s fave!), and sand (which is currently on sale—act fast!).

We’ve also added a luscious grey suede version of F+B’s ever-popular Eternity boot:

Don’t worry, purists, we still have the Eternity in black and brown, too.

Speaking of black, we’re introducing a black edition of Fiorentini + Baker’s Edel (the tallest boot we carry):

We also carry the Edel in dark brown, the version that won everyone’s heart!

And there are several more new F+B color ways awaiting your discovery at Ped’s main site! If you’ve yet to experience Fiorentini + Baker’s Italian charms, why not take the plunge? We guarantee you’ll instantly become a card-carrying member of the F+B fan club!

There must be something in the water in Spain because, holy paella, are those Iberian peninsula designers ever serving up serious style! No sooner had we collected ourselves from swooning over Chie Mihara’s fall designs than the latest Vialis shipment  arrived at Ped HQ, making our knees go weak all over again.

Vialis is famous for its stellar clog construction, but their old-school Spanish craftsmen also create wonderful shoes and boots. We’ve brought the best of Vialis to Ped for your fall pleasure! So drink in the Spanish goodness!

Let’s start with a classic closed-back clog! For sheer beauty and versatility, the Vialis Adele is the queen bee:

The rich whiskey color of the suede is intoxicating (okay, we couldn’t resist..). Unlike other clogs, Vialis’ wood-soled wonders are anything but frumpy, with a seam at the front of the toe providing a streamlined silhouette.

Craving a little more hot sauce? Perhaps the spicy Vialis Hannah is more up your alley:

A little higher cut on the foot and a fantastic back strap that loops through a brass grommet to close with an adjustable rivet—it just takes a few well thought-out details to give a clog a shot of va-va-va-voom!

If you heart clogs, but heels aren’t you deal, then consider Vailis’ color-saturated Kate:

Pretty as a peacock! The stunning wool felt outer is lined with buttery leather, and of course, the comfort is heavenly. (It’s by Vialis, after all!)

Speaking of comfort, you know we’re always on the quest for a good walking shoe, and Vialis has given us just the thing with the Sadie:

Clog meets shoe, and shoe meets clog in one glorious and funky find! The curved contour of the sole is designed to rock with rolling motion of your stride.

Looking for a more traditional oxford? Vialis has crafted one of the best in the Oliver:

What an exquisite interpretation of the classic—no bells, no whistles, just class and sass! We’re wild about this burnished honey-hued version, but the Oliver also comes in a beautiful marine blue.

Want to go laceless? The Vialis Katrina is lean, clean style machine:

Sleek and minimal, the Katrina is a vision in supple black leather. However, this heeled bootie beauty hides a flirtatious secret—a racy red leather lining that occasionally flashes at the front opening. Talk about urban chic!

Taking the ankle boot a little higher—as well as saucier and bossier—the Vialis Lulu is at the top of our must-have list this season:

We adore everything about this pull-on bootie, from its perfect proportions to its distressed yet luxe leather to its circular brass buckles! It’s a motorcycle boot whose style engine is on overdrive!

Are you feeling as woozy with love as we are? Well, there’s even more Vialis to make your heart race over at Ped’s main site. So give your feet a Spanish lesson—in Vialis, you’ll always be fluent in style!

(You probably know Ped’s on Twitter and Facebook. But did you know we’re also on Pinterest and Google +? We like to socialize, so come join us!)

For years I’ve been nudging gals to try boots with summer skirts and dresses because the look is so sassy and fun! Finally, the trend has caught on! Everywhere I turn these days, women are rocking boots with breezy sundresses, light, floaty skirts, and even shorts! Not only do they look fresh and chic, but they’re also not stubbing their toes.

Because we think boots are for all seasons, here are few suggestions for how to kick up your heels while the sun shines!

Ped fans will agree that nobody makes better boots than Fiorentini + Baker! One of the easiest boots to wear with anything and everything is F+B’s Mix:

Everyone goes wild for a motorcycle boot, especially when it’s made of such luscious leather! Plus, the Mix gives you a leg up with its chunky 2″ heel!

Want a little less heel and a little more buckle? Then say hello to F+B’s Emmy (also known as Style 713)!

This beauty also comes in rabbit grey (always a good choice), but we especially love the teal version because it looks so cool (as in river-water cool) with light-colored summer skirts!

Still not enough buckles? Then Fiorentini + Baker’s popular Eternity Boot is your answer!

There’s a good reason why this boot is a perennial object of desire: It looks terrific with EVERYTHING! Plus, it exudes a sexy, badass attitude. Ped offers the Eternity not only in delicious dark brown leather (pictured), but also in black, red, and caramel. All gorgeous!

Perhaps you prefer a sleeker, more minimal look, in which case, drink in the loveliness of F+B’s Bessi Boot:

As Ped fans know, I can’t get enough of green, and I adore F+B’s bonsai green shade! It’s like a refreshing breeze on a sweltering day! Gals who like to enhance their height will also appreciate the Bessi‘s 3″ heel.

Another fabulous minimal boot is F+B’s pull-on Elgin Boot:

Also available in mocha ice suede, the Elgin is easy to wear anywhere with its clean-lined, relaxed design.

Of course, we know for some gals, only a tall boot fits the bill. Our personal favorite is F+B’s Emma:

All of us at Ped HQ own this terrific boot (except Terry, of course—but even he’s an Emma admirer)! Black is classic, but we also carry the Emma in dark brown, red, and caramel (which is, psst, on sale right now).

But if you want to go the opposite direction, and bare a little more skin—it is summer, after all—then Fiorentini + Baker’s Paula is ready to be your warm-weather friend:

We love the Paula’s rock ‘n’ roll attitude with its ruched front and zipper up the back! It’s a knockout in chocolate brown, but Ped also offers it in cool blue and always-right black!

Believe it or not, there are still more boots at Ped’s main site to let you two-step through summer’s delightfully long days! So, give your hot-weather wardrobe a boost with a pair of boots!

(By the way, this week’s Sweet Treat is a boot-a-licious sandal: Trippen’s Tarantula! Just click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to reach the Tarantula with the magic discount code that will treat you to a delightful 20% off at checkout!)
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Yesterday I told you about the social side of my March trip to Paris and Milan. Today I’ll fill you in on the trends and style statements I saw at shoe shows in France and Italy. Ped fans, you have a lot to look forward to in the fall! But the GREAT news is Ped is on its game—much of what will be all the rage in a few months is already on the shelves at the Ped warehouse!

Perhaps the most noticeable trend was FUR! It was everywhere—on shoes, on boots, on vests, hanging off of bags, more than I’ve ever seen. Just to whet your appetite, I ordered a version of Cydwoq’s gorgeous Podium boot with fur panels.

That said, ankle boots will continue to hold court next season, so our current version of the Podium is also right on trend:

Cydwoq’s 2″ resin heel is perfect since flats and low heels are going to be in vogue.

If you want to get a jump on the flat bootie trend, consider Vic Matie’s Euro-chic Luisa:

Another trend with staying power is men’s oxfords for women, such as Fiorentini + Baker’s terrific Eliza Oxford:

People were not only wearing their oxfords without socks in Paris and Milan, but fashionistsas were also wearing oxfords and boots with laces and buckles completely undone. All the Japanese buyers were rocking the deconstructed laceless and unbuckled look! If you have a size 36 or 37 foot, you can get ahead of the curve with the Vialis Mila, which Ped currently has on sale. (Lucky you!)

Innovative leather treatments are also going to be a hallmark of next season. Get an eyeful of the variety Cydwoq had on offer to retailers:

Ped fans can also look forward to eye-popping patterned leathers from Chie Mihara and jewel-toned suedes from Accessoire.

Regarding color trends, the new black is definitely GREY, which was all over the place in Europe in all kinds of shades. You can show off your trend-setting savvy right now by stepping out in Vic Matie’s Allegra:

You’ll be doubly cutting-edge in this slate-grey beauty since wooden soles also hold sway next fall. Expect knockout wood-soled styles from Vialis and Ellen Verbeek, too.

Given the style forecast, if you’re fortunate enough to fit into one of our remaining pairs of Ellen Verbeek’s Elise Bootie (on sale!), you’ll be right on trend on three fronts simultaneously:

Simply remove the laces, and you’ll be ultra-chic with a laceless wood-soled bootie! What could be better? And everyone will admire you for being so in the know!

Of course, everyone at Ped Central is excited about the fantastic things I ordered for fall while in Paris and Milan. But I have to say we’re also feeling pretty sassy about having so many cutting-edge styles already in the house! Advantage: Ped fans!
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