.: Color -- Goodbye Cold, Hello Bold

Time to stash your old tan and black Ugg boots in the back of your closet. Spring is all about color and 2007 is all about punchy bolds, playful sherbet tones and outrageous patterns that you couldn't pull off any other time of year. The Betsey Johnson 'Jamison' Sandal covers just about every spring trend out there. Magenta and ruby flowers bloom on a bed of natural-colored straw and a funky, leather ankle tie with bold, teal trim adds to the appeal, making these shoes as fun as they come.

Charles by Charles David's Bloom flats, in rosy pink, celebrate Spring with a whimsical blossom. These shoes have a definite girly vibe going on, so pair them with leggings and a sweet miniskirt for maximum effect.

The juicy pastel plaid of the Charles Albert's Scottie Pump has spring written all over it. These babies will make a statement no matter what you pair them with, so go easy on the other accessories.

Charles by Charles David "Bloom", $105 at Onlineshoes.com	Charles Albert Scottie Pump, $34 @ DELiA's
Chinese Laundry 'San Miguel' Wedge, $65 @ Nordstrom.com Find other great styles in Nordstrom's Sale Shoes section.	Soho Lab Stephani, $75 @ Piperlime.com Free shipping and returns.

.: Style -- Lots of Toes, Up High or Down Low

Book your first pedicure of the year because the world's going to be seeing a lot of your toes this spring. Peep-toe styles are cropping up everywhere from spindly heel pumps, to the flattest of flats, to big, chunky wedges. Thanks to the master of the peep-toe, Christian Louboutin, aired-out tootsies are here to stay. Via Spiga's lipstick red Cello Pump is a lively take on the popular style. If its wearability and versatility you're looking for (and you don't want to invest too much too soon), Anne Klein's Delano Cork Platform Wedge Sandal in goes-with-everything black is a safe bet to get you through the season.

Another big look for spring is the flat. Skimmers, ballet slippers and traditional flats are oh-so-easy to slip into and they're a comfortable option for those of you who don't feel 100 percent when tottering on towering heels. Sigerson Morrison's black patent skimmers are ultra-feminine with their precious cutouts and slightly pointed toe. Pair them with slim black cropped pants a la Audrey Hepburn if you want to feel ladylike and a little retro at the same time.

Another sweet option is NaNa's 'Daya' flats. A chiffon bow mimics springtime greenery and will put a smile on your face during the occasional April shower. There's also Isabella Fiore's Seawalk Patent Leather Ballerina flat with its long lace-up ankle tie and beachy keen seashell detailing -- perfect for a post-dinner walk on the beach.

If dainty and delicate isn't quite your thing, worry not -- strappy sandals are back, but this year's models mean serious business with thick, durable straps for fearless femmes who like to rock a heel. Studio M's Flicker Leather Sandals have straps galore, but with a little breathing room. The Juicy Couture With-It Platform Wedge in turquoise and gold isn't for the faint of heart either. With their brazen color, heavy gold chain and sky-high heel, these shoes are for the ladies who are confident in their strutting abilities.

Anne Klein Delano Cork Platform Wedge Sandal, $100 @ SmartBargains.com	NaNa Daya, $64 @ Zappos.com Check out the clearance section at Zappos.com.
Isabella Fiore Seawalk Patent Leather Ballerina, $325 @ eLUXURY.com Free Ground Shipping at eLUXURY with promotion code MODE.	Studio M 'Flicker' Sandal, $119 @ Macy's Don't miss other great styles in Macy's hot Shoe Department.

.: Material -- Shine On

It used to be that patent leather was black and strictly for winter. Well, no more. This season is all about lustrous patent leather in blinding brights, perfect for puddle jumping. Looking for that ray of springtime sunshine? BCBGirls Library Pumps are raincoat yellow and patterned with the cutest cutouts. Count on them to add a shiny, sexy jolt to any outfit.

For something a little more down-to-earth, try the ultra-mod Guess? Ivar Flat in white patent leather. The funky straps and pointy, retro toe make these perfect for pairing with airy skirts or cropped capris.

D&G's jade green Patent Leather Peep-Toe Pumps hit tons of Spring trends -- deep, high-saturation color, unexpected touches (bold pink piping) and, of course, a peek at those piggies. You may not find much to match this jungle green, so pairing these shoes with crisp white or clean, basic black is a good bet.

GUESS? 'Ivar' Flat, $90 @ Nordstrom.com Check out Nordstrom's Spring Fashion Guide.

Dolce & Gabbana Patent Leather Peep-Toe Pump, $395 @ eLUXURY.com Free Ground Shipping at eLUXURY with promotion code MODE.

.: Material -- Go Au Natural

In addition to shiny patent leather in colors that don't occur in nature, eco-chic materials that come straight from the earth to your feet are another big trend this spring that incorporates a natural element into your footwear. If you hear "natural" and automatically think "Birkenstocks," you've got another thing coming. Case in point: Betsey Johnson's Jordan cork pumps are the epitome of panache. With spindly heels, clean lines and the ubiquitous open toe, these babies are about as far from crunchy as you can get.

Dior's Strappy Wicker Sandals are great to stash in your suitcase when you take off on that tropical getaway. The Caribbean-style caning detail and the big, thick straps work equally well with '60s-style jeans and short, flirty dresses, so you can cut down on your vacation luggage.

Finally, KORS Michael Kors Egypt Platform Cork Wedges are a great, all-encompassing spring shoe. Thick straps? Check. Cork wedges inspired by nature? Yep. Bold, gold metallic shine you can catch your reflection in? Oh, yeah. And despite the three-digit price tag, they're a best buy for their versatility and all the spring trends they cover.

In fact, it's hard to find a shoe that doesn't hit at least two big spring trends. When making your spring-wardrobe budget, keep in mind that it's hard to go wrong with pretty peep-toes, feminine flats, hard-core straps, shiny metallics and patent leathers, unexpected pops of color, earth-inspired elements and funky patterns.

Dior Strappy Wicker Sandals, $585 @ Saks.com Mark the date. Get a free Saks Gift Card with any purchase on Thursday, March 16, with promo code: MARCH5B See site for details.

KORS Michael Kors Egypt Platform Cork Wedge, $235 @ eLUXURY.com Free Ground Shipping at eLUXURY with promotion code MODE.