Fashion designer Nida Mahmood has designed a line of gladiator sandals in tones of beige and brown that do well as casualwear and formalwear , Pix : Jagan Negi

“If you can tell a gentleman by the shoes he wears, then that theory also holds true for spotting a woman of style,” says model Shruti Agrawal. She should know, for, being a shoe fiend herself, she’s smitten by the idea of flaunting her brightly painted toe-nails and manicured feet in white gladiator sandals this summer. Agrawal believes that no wardrobe can be complete without a good selection of shoes to complement different looks and styles.

The good news is that some of the top footwear giants and signature brands are ensuring that a woman puts her best foot forward as the mercury soars. The must-lust for this summer are vivid hues, light embellishments, animal prints in teetering high-heels, four-in (and counting) off-the-ground wedges and even the evergreen flats.

So, if this summer Italian fashion label Versace’s colour palette is replete with yellows and sky blues with the classic pieces in black, beige and white, French fashion house, Chanel, plays with red, black, beige and purple in ultra-soft lambskin apart from black, yellow and pink velvet.

“While wedges and high-heels will never go out of style, flat shoes should be a wardrobe staple this summer,” says Abhay Gupta executive director, Blues Clothing Company that brought Versace to India.

Chanel’s Spring Summer collection features flats with lambskin thongs (above) and 3-in heels with velvet straps (top)

Jimmy Choo’s spring line is glamorous, with heaps of animal and python prints. The look is sparkling with jewels and sequins reflecting the freshness of summer inspired by Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. “I wanted to capture the glamorous mood of the ’70s, most potent in Rio, which had its own colourful sex appeal and style at this time,” says Tamara Mellon, founder and chief creative officer, Jimmy Choo.

In Versace’s Spring Summer 2011 collection, the ubiquitous platform heel has been replaced by the 12-cm high stilettos (yes, that’s close to 5-in).

Jimmy Choo’s bright orange Vachetta sandals come with a zip front while its classic black high-heels flaunt a stylish corsage (above)

Even Jimmy Choo is high on heels. Halle, one of its popular designs, is a cocoa brown leather-and-suede platform that’s a breathtaking 5.7-in high while Zen is an open-toed sandal boot (a cross between sandal and boots) in light sandy suede on a 4.3-in heel. Gladiator sandals are the mainstay in Jimmy Choo’s collections, and this season the style has been reworked in flats. Called Wish, a tan, zip-front sandal is a must have for the beach while Palermo is a stylish gladiator pumped up on a 4.7-in wedge.

“The flat shoes are dominated by gladiators and ballerinas while stilettos and peep-toe heels are ideal for formal occasions and evening wear,” says Gupta of Versace’s newest line. Versace’s collection is mostly crafted from patent and calf leather — great materials for summer.

According to Gupta, the shapes of the shoes are sinuous while the straps around the ankle are inspired by martingale belts (a loose half-belt or strap stitched on the back of a garment).

Swati Modo’s footwear plays on a variety of styles in brightly-hued leather

Pamper your feet with Sanchita Ajjampur’s flat woven sandals in soft sheep leather

On the other hand, Chanel’s collection offers light ribbon thongs (or ribbon flip-flops) and short wedge boots with embroidery. Making waves are the silver, metallic embroidered, leather short boots and the gold thread embroidered look on lambskin. “The way forward this season is with sequined sandals trimmed with kid’s skin (young goat skin) with a transparent heel and classic Chanel ballerinas in bright summer hues,” says Chanel spokesperson, Marielou Phillips.

Killer stilettos have replaced platforms in Versace’s classy collection this season

Fashion designer Sanchita Ajjampur has focused on creating off-white strappy footwear in which the straps tied around (and above) the ankles give the impression of bandages or mummification. “Binding construction around the ankle with elastic or textured leather not only looks stylish, it also makes for a comfortable hold,” says Ajjampur.

For footwear designer Swati Modo, leather is the material of the moment not only for comfort but also because it’s a good absorbent. “I’ve used it in flip-flops, strappy sandals and peep-toes for women who are on the run,” says Modo.

Ajjampur too is partial to leather and has ballet shoes, sandals and flip-flops in nappa leather (chrome-tanned, soft and supple) and nubuck (a soft, velvety surface leather which is similar to suede but is more durable). Also, there are styles flashing brocade patchwork and canvas in earthy tones.

Keeping the current trends in mind, Nida Mahmood’s done a line of gladiator shoes in tones of dark tan, beige and camel. “Though gladiator sandals are primarily for a day look, they can even work wonders for an evening outfit,” says Mahmood.

So, time to step out in style and flaunt the hues of summer.