when times are tough...

Girls' obsession with shoes is a never ending story. Right now I'm sucked into the peep-toe cage shoe style as popularized by Yves Saint Laurent, which prompted me to order the Topshop version of it for one-tenth of the price. I'm hoping that the effect will be equally stunning as I wait anxiously for the package to arrive. Two other huge trends for shoes this spring, in case you haven't already noticed, are the cut-out booties (variation from fall's oxford booties) and the studded strappy sandals as seen on the Balmain runway. But lately I've been discovering styles that combine the best of both worlds: rock-chic studs with cut-out details all on the same pair of shoes. Now, this 2-in-1 style is probably your best bet to follow this season's trend yet spare your wallet in these recession times...




Clockwise from top left: Lauren Moffat Hudson Boots from Urban Outfitters; Balmain studded heels from net-a-porter; Giuseppe Zanotti grommet cut-out heels from Shopbop.