Today is a very special day here at Planetshoes.com. While we do strive to have special days every day, today is extra great because… it is our fashion and comfort buyer Teresa’s birthday! In honor of her birthday, we here at Planetshoes.com would like to dedicate this post to her. Happy birthday, Teresa!

Happy Birthday by planetj featuring clothing

As our fashion buyer, it would only make sense that Teresa has great style, and she really does (she’s absolutely rocking a leopard-print belt today without looking the least bit tacky, props!).  I sneakily asked her for her fall favorites so I can recommend them to you, a gift in honor of her great taste on her day! You can trust that these fashionable shoes are the very best in women’s shoes online.

Her first pick for fall is the Naya Artemis. This gorgeous pair of eco shoes embodies everything that Naya shoes are all about. Eco friendly materials, beautiful design and at the peak of women’s fashion, the Naya Artemis is sure to become your feel-good boot for fall. Take eco-chic to new heights atop this Naya boot’s sustainable bamboo heel and recycled cork platform.  Set in a chrome free leather and suede upper, this women’s eco-friendly boot has serious attitude with it’s open toe, contrast stitching and bow detailing. Reveal your inner goddess in these divine Naya Artemis boots.

Her second pick is on top of one of the hottest trends this fall and also falls into the category of eco-friendly shoes! The Pikolinos Brujas 8000 is certainly a shoe in fashion this season.  Set in an all-natural leather upper, this women’s shoe features beautiful oxford detailing, with cute cut-outs and detailed stitching. A contrasting back strap adds a funky detail to this Pikolinos shoe, which laces delicately up the front. Deliciously on trend, the Pikolinos Brujas 8000 is a shoe that will inspire envy in all those who admire it. And even better, this eco shoe uses water soluble glues, just another reason that Pikolinos has been awarded certification for its commitment to the earth. These women’s oxford shoes feel comfortable, as well as being shoes you can feel good about!

With someone like this birthday girl around, it’s easy to find fashionable shoes. Check out our selection of shoes on Planetshoes.com and we’re sure you’ll find something to love, if the two Teresa picked aren’t trendy enough!

Wondering how to start off the season on the right foot? You need a pair of gladiators! Yes, the style is back and this year it’s better than ever. Whether you’re calling them caged, Grecian, or strappy, a pair of sandals in this classic silhouette is sure to liven up any outfit and add a touch of elegance to your look.

While designers have been taking this style to new heights and having a lot of fun with it for Spring 2010, some of the favorite styles I’ve seen are simple but gorgeous interpretations of the classic design. With these beautiful sandals, less is most definitely more.

Pair them with anything from skinny jeans to your favorite sundress, and you’ve instantly got a look that is on top of the trends for this summer. If you’re looking for a sophisticated, detailed gladiator sandal, PlanetShoes.com has quite a few to choose from!

Blowfish Ladder

True to form, Blowfish has taken yet another classic silhouette and put a fashion-forward spin on it.

The Ladder looks as if it was taken straight from an ancient Grecian fresco, yet trendy studs and a convenient back heel zipper are woven seamlessly into this design, making it perfect for your modern everyday.

Like Athena, unleash your inner fashion goddess with this elegant, strappy sandal in cow-friendly faux-leather. The cushioned fabric footbed ensures that you’ll be comfortable and light on your feet, just like that Hermes character.

Pikolinos Formentera

If you’re a shoe-lover, you may want to look away. It’s practically impossible not to fall in love with this gorgeous gladiator at first sight! Perhaps it’s the certified environmentally friendly construction. Or the premium leather upper. Maybe it’s the beautifully detailed cut-outs along the forefoot and t-straps, or the ornamental and studding accents.

Whatever it is that catches your eye, the Pikolinos Formentera 7801 is a detailed, finely crafted sandal you won’t want to take off. The padded footbed is lined with soft leather, and the side straps feature hook and loop closures as well as elastic goring to ensure a flexible, custom fit. So go ahead, be superficial. This beautiful gladiator has the comfort and eco features to back it up!

J Shoes Estelle

A favorite of mine, delicate leather straps meet to create the J Shoes Estelle, a lovely, feminine take on the gladiator.

Hand-stitching along the t-strap adds the perfect amount of extra detailing to create a simple yet sophisticated summer look.

A back heel zipper allows for easy on/off while you embrace some of the season’s top trends – ankle straps, snakeskin and, of course, the gladiator silhouette.

The stacked leather sole is padded with EVA, the same foam used in running shoes, so your feet are sure to be comfortable while looking so elegant. J Shoes are subtle and simple but they make an immediate impact. The quality is unparalleled and if you want a great fashion shoe that feels fabulous on the foot, the J Shoes Estelle is right up your alley!

Chinese Laundry Scenster

You’ll be ready to hit the scene in this sexy, strappy gladiator by Chinese Laundry! The delicate all-over, faux-leather strap detailing is irresistibly feminine.

I especially love the braided t-strap, which ties together the wild straps in a pretty, innocent design.

A small stacked wedge adds sophisticated height without sacrificing comfort or stability. The back heel zipper ensures you’ll be able to maneuver in and out of the Scenster with ease, though once you put this gorgeous sandal on, I’m not sure you’ll want to take it off!

Pikolinos St. Louis 7097

The Pikolinos St Louis 7097 is a darling and environmentally friendly Mary Jane sure to brighten your day. Set in a vegetable tanned leather upper, this shoe features contrast stitching and perforated detailing on the vamp. The strap features elastic goring for a flexible fit. Bring some color to your feet in the Pikolinos St Louis 7097.

Pikolinos has been awarded a certification for its environmentally friendly production of its shoes. They strive to use all-natural leathers, free of chemical treating, with natural and biodegradable soles.

• Materials: Vegetable tan leather upper, molded unit outsole
• Heel: 1/2″
• Item #: 786-7097
• Lining: Leather

Simple Satire Silk

A truly sophisticated sneaker. The Simple Satire Silk is set in a gorgeous silk upper and ready for adventure, wherever your feet may take you. Features a certified organic cotton lining and footbed.

The “pedbed” (the cushiony and supportive stuff at the bottom of the shoe) is made of super soft and squishy polyurethane foam and recycled rubber. Partially recycled shoe – the bottom of this shoe is made from a recycled car tire. The earth friendly foot form inserts are made of post consumer recycled paper. Shoebox made of post-consumer recycled paper, soy based printing ink, natural latex and starch based glue.

• Materials: Silk upper, polyurethane foam and recycled rubber footbed, recycled car tire outsole
• Country of Origin: China
• Item #: 9003
• Lining: Organic cotton

Keen Coronado Mary Jane

A versatile update to the classic style, the Keen Coronado Mary Jane is a casual sneaker for summer fun. With its two-tone floral print natural canvas upper, cushy PU footbed, vulcanized rubber toe and non-marking sole, this new-school shoe is sure to be your new favorite. Features vulcanized eco-friendly construction and all Vegan materials.

• Materials: Natural canvas upper, PU footbed, non-marking rubber outsole
• Country of Origin: China
• Item #: 5348
• Lining: Canvas

Naya Fowler

Enhance your style and soften your step in the Naya Fowler eco-friendly flats. Chrome-free leather upper in slip on flat style with a round closed toe. Pretty floral embellishment on scooped vamp adds texture and interest. Stitching accents around collar, heel overlay. Cushioning biodegradable latex foam under chrome-free leather lining. Recycled cork outsole. 1/2 inch heel.

• Materials: Chrome-free leather upper, biogradable latex foam footbed, recycled cork outsole
• Heel: 1/2″
• Item #: 32778001
• Lining: Chrome-free leather

This weekend was fabulous. Finally, it seems that this winter will end after all. The sun was shining, the snow melted, and people actually ventured outside! I took advantage of the weather by making plans to meet a friend and walk around the city. I was thrilled to break out my spring coat by layering it over a sweater, but I faced a dilemma. I had no clue what to wear on my feet! My go-to tall boots were too warm and bulky, but my flats and sandals weren’t warm enough. This got me thinking… what do you wear in between seasons? After a trip to my closet, I found several solutions to the early-spring conundrum.

Oxfords

A pair of oxfords is a great addition to any closet, for many reasons. In this case, this classic style offers more coverage than a pair of flats by lacing up to the ankle giving the foot more warmth between seasons. A huge trend for spring, the oxford is also a fashion forward choice!

This pair by Pikolinos, the Turin 7331, is made of vegetable tanned leather with gorgeous stitching and perforated detailing, staples of the oxford style. A cute leather-wrapped heel adds some height, but not enough to make this shoe uncomfortable. The Turin 7331 laces up the front for an adjustable, custom fit.

Ankle Boots

Ankle boots are perfect for chilly spring days. They give ample coverage, but are not overly warm, and they are so cute!

This style by Nicole, the Passionate, is the perfect choice for this spring. This leather Western-style boot comes in a variety of colors, including black, tan and stone (pictured) and a trendy metallic silver.

The low heel gives a bit of lift and doesn’t sacrifice the comfort that Nicole shoes are known for.

Americana is one of the big trends for fall, so you’ll be sure to get a lot of wear out of the Passionate.

Pair these with a short skirt or your favorite jeans and you’ve got a great spring look! Remember, one of the best things about the ankle boot is it’s versatility – this little boot can go over skinny jeans or leggings or look fabulous beneath a boot cut pant.

Wedge Sandals with Socks

Beware! This trend is not for the faint of heart. Wedge sandals paired with socks were all over the runways this season, like this look from the Burberry show, and it is a great, but brave!, way to wear your favorite pair before sandal season truly starts.

To wear this trend right, stick to a chunkier sandal style, like the wedge, and look for one with thicker straps. Essentially, you are emulating a multi texture bootie.

Neutral colors are the most wearable and versatile so we recommend you select a sock that’s a shade or so lighter than the sandal. Voila! You’ve got spring’s hottest trend.

If you’re dying to try this trend, but it makes you nervous, you can choose a sock that matches your skin tone to keep this look subtle. And remember, if you decide to try the look and it doesn’t work for you, you’ll still have a great wedge sandal for spring and summer!

The gorgeous Camper Laura 21247 in contrasting suede and leather paired with the SmartWool Cable in Oatmeal Heather is a cozy way to wear the wedge!

We’re seeing it all over the place these day – super short skirts and cute ankle boots – or booties. Just yesterday I saw Nikki Hilton rocking some ankle boots with her denim, frayed daisy dukes and here we’ve got Taylor Momsen, filming next season of Gossip Girl, in an edgy outfit with a super short skirt and an over sized flannel completed with a fabulous pair of mid heel black leather ankle boots.

We saw the ankle bootie become super popular last year and it looks like we’ve got more looks to pair with this trend, but how can you take the look you see on celebrities but add your own signature style?

Well, we looked around on Planet Shoes to find some interesting options for you. These aren’t the ankle boots you see everywhere – from Naot to Pikolinos, these boots are high quality and boutique and guaranteed to give you a unique look that is going to get you noticed!

Here are some great black ankle boot options perfect for summer, into fall and winter!

Let’s start with the  Blowfish Willis! The reverse wedge heel, structured yet slouchy look and perfect ankle height will make these perfect with short shorts, and with skinny jeans as the weather cools.

Blowfish offers the best value for fashion these days and you can see the quality in the detail. The fun and vibrant purple lining and the architectural nature of these boots elevate their style – and they’re super comfortable as well!

If you want to go with a slightly edgier, rocker look, check out the Blundstone Classic Boot. This black leather work boot has a more masculine, chunkier look, similar to the punk aesthetic of the Doctor Marten’s but with an easy pull on style and elasticized fit for comfort. Blundstone is one of the best known names in high quality boots.

In this case, you’ll be taking a boot made for function and giving it a fashionable edge. Perfect to add that biker flavor to even your most feminine outfit, the Blundstone Classic boot is also extremely practical, developed for durability and hard wearing.

For a more modern and innovative look, check out the Naot Remu, a funky bootie with faux lacing and a fascinating combination of textures that give it a futuristic feel. This is truly a boot for the fashion forward – a real attention getter – but also a boot designed for function and comfort.

The footbed is specially designed for additional shock absorption and the materials that go into this boot are all top of the line. The combination of tanned leather, suede and elastic material help the boot fit your foot perfectly, supporting you and keeping you ahead of the trends.

And, last but not least, the feminine ankle biker boot; the Pikolinos Cuba. This ankle boot is beautifully shaped and made with eco-friendly leather. The shape of the toe will elongate your legs and the mid sized heel will keep you comfortable walking to work or dancing in your favorite bar.

The side belt adds edginess and this boot is truly perfect for your cute micro mini and will look hot in the fall with jeans, skirts or just about anything you choose! This is also a perfect staple for your fall wardrobe, made to last but with a commitment to the earth!

So take inspiration from fashion forward celebrities and then make your own look!

Leather within the context of the environmental movement is a complicated topic. Leather has been used for generations but there are two main arguments against leather for shoes, bags, belts and more.

1. Vegans and vegetarians in the environmental movement hate the use of animals for food or products, so leather is unacceptable right off the bat!
2. The typical leather tanning process used in today’s industrial applications is heavy on the chemicals and the industrial waste. This makes many leather goods very eco-unfriendly.

Here is where the complication comes in:

1. Vegans and Vegetarians won’t use leather, but in many cases are willing to wear shoes or carry bags made from synthetic materials. Although these products are considered “vegan” they are, in many cases, not eco-friendly.
2. Leather, although not vegan, is a natural material. When tanned in an environmentally responsible way, its durability and the fact that it isn’t synthetically produced makes it a more eco-friendly option.

So you see, you can get durable, eco-friendly leather which will last you longer and help you buy fewer shoes but that aren’t vegan, or you can cast a sharp eye to make sure you’re purchasing a vegan product that is also eco-friendly and hope that they last!

If you’re going to purchase leather goods, you should definitely know where it came from and how it’s been treated. Likewise, if you choose to purchase vegan goods, make sure they are also made with a commitment to the environment.

We’ve talked about the process of greening leather before. Various large companies are making a concerted effort to follow in the footsteps of smaller shoe makers who’ve already made the commitment to using only “green” leather.

A number of our favorite brands use eco-friendly leather in all or some of their shoes. They include:

• El Naturalista
• Groundhog
• Patagonia
• Pikolinos
• Timberland

Enjoy our eco-friendly leather shoes and stay green this season!

There are plenty of fashionable women out there who would love to shop eco-friendly. In many cases though, it’s a matter of finding options that are stylish and sophisticated as well as being environmentally friendly. That’s actually a tougher order than you might think. While it’s pretty easy to find a comfortable or casual shoe that’s eco-friendly, dress shoes or shoes with a more fashionable and formal bent aren’t so easy to come by.

This is especially challenging with women’s formal footwear since a lot of eco friendly brands also look…eco friendly. These shoes are adorable, but they do trend to the more casual, so what’s a gal to do when she wants to shop online for some shoes that look and feel fabulous but that also make her feel socially responsible.

That’s where Pikolinos comes in. Based in sunny Spain, these all natural and beautifully crafted leather shoes have European sophistication and an ecological conscience. By refusing to treat their leather with additional chemicals and plastics, they remove a great deal of toxicity from the environment and reduce their eco-footprint.

The other benefit of the supple Pikolinos leather is the way it will form to your foot with wear. The added comfort that comes with a well crafted leather shoe is second to none and being of such high quality leather means, with care, these shoes could last a lifetime.

The hand stitching and immaculate detailing make the classic shapes of these shoes pop. You don’t just get a peep toe skimmer, you get a woven peep toe skimmer with multiple tones of soft, natural leather, comfortable cushioning through the sole and you feel great because you know those very soles are biodegradable.

Likewise you don’t just get a simple black or brown leather pump, you get a shoe with fine detailing and beautiful internal lining that is designed for shock absorption, stability and traction. You can also find trendier shapes like ankle height, open heeled boots, again beautifully detailed with floral cut outs and hand stitching that makes these shoes really stand out.

As a woman of many styles, being able to find an environmentally friendly, classic and well made shoes that have enough detail to make a shoe unique and fabulous is a serious challenge. The quality and styling of the Pikolinos line definitely make them worth a look and a buy!