Show some toe.

With sexy wedges, cute little flip-flops and strappy sandals beckoning, it’s time to toss those closed-toe shoes to the back of the closet.

Python platform sandal by Stuart Weitzman from Balliet’s. Diane von Furstenberg T-shirt dress with feather detail from C/K & Co. Model Cortney Smith is from Linda Layman Agency, Tulsa. Makeup by Lilly Stone of Sooo Lilly. PHOTO BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN

“This summer, it’s all about the natural palette,” shoe designer Franco Sarto said. “Sun-washed sand tones and mellow metallics transition easily from work to play on a hot summer day. I love a simple summer dress paired with a soft metallic wedge. Experiment with python prints and bold ornamentation for a look that is guaranteed to impress, no matter what the occasion.”

For summer, it’s seems like shoe styles are one extreme or the other.

“You’re either going to find a flat, or it’s going to be a tall heel or a tall wedge,” said Kelsie Petree, owner of Pink Sugar Shoe Boutique, Edmond.

Wedges and platforms rise to the occasion, giving women plenty of height to make their legs look glam. Some platforms rise nearly 2 inches with as much as a 5-inch heel. That’s a shoe with some serious higher power, so steady yourself.

As if these shoes don’t command enough attention, embellishments seem to be on steroids this summer. Look for studs, grommets, straps, crystals, jewels, bows, cork, wood and rosettes for extra kick.

“If you have a plain sandal, you’re out of style, basically,” said Betsy King, shoe buyer for Balliet's in Oklahoma City. “It’s not about being simple this season.” Even flip-flops are updated with embellishments.

Gladiators are being reinvented, too, and pumped up with more coverage. In fact, coverage is a trend that’s continuing with cage-style sandals and peep-toe booties. Cut-outs, slashes and perforations keep the leather and suede more summer-friendly, but the style transitions easily into fall.

Peep-toe booties or sandals that cover much of the foot and creep toward the ankle look best on women who have a slender calf and leg, King said. That shoe style cuts right at the ankle, so if you’re unsure how it looks, shop with a friend who is brutally honest.

If sky-high wedges and strappy booties aren’t wild enough, consider a snakeskin sandal. “If you’re going to do an animal print, do a python,” King said. “It’s also going forward into fall. It’s a good neutral.” Nude or skin-tone sandals elongate the leg, and they go really well with the bright-colored dresses that are so popular, she said.

Lee Ann Looman, owner of The Webb, Norman, is most excited about the trend toward neutral footwear.

“For a fresh trend, it’s about the neutral and nude colors,” she said. “It’s very versatile and just becomes an extension of your leg. It goes with everything.”

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