Did you know that today, March 20, is officially the first day of spring?  To celebrate the end of dreary ol’ winter and usher in a bright new season, I thought it would be appropriate to talk spring shoes trends today.  I’m not one to follow every trend to a T, but I certainly find it fun to keep up with and I take it into consideration when making my own shoe purchases.  I’ve been keeping my eyes out for the latest in shoes this season and, I have to say, there are many different accounts of what’s hot right now.  But, there are a few that stand out as being generally agreed upon and a few that I would consider shoe subtrends - i.e. those smaller, fringe trends that provide plenty of variety and help round things out.  So, without further adieu, here’s a rundown of the spring trends I’ve found and my favorite examples of the shoes that incorporate them:

Neutrals 

Neutral shoes were big last year and they are back again this year - and for good reason.  Neutral shoes go with virtually everything - including those little pastel sundresses that so don’t work with our dear friend black.  Even though metallic sandals provide a similar level of versatility, neutral shoes have a nice bare leg effect when you pick a pair that is similar to your own skin tone.  Some even say it has a slimming effect, which certainly doesn’t hurt either.

Go for a classic silhouette you’ll wear again and again with the Nine West Escher taupe peep-toe pump.  Endless has it for $78.95 with free overnight shipping.

Go for a little more drama in the design with the Chinese Laundry Lucky Strike, available at Shoes.com for $80 with free shipping.  Get 20% off with coupon code MSAVE at checkout, making them $64.

Feminine details

This is one trend I’m personally loving.  Shoes that incorporate details like ruffles, flowers, bows and lace bring out your girly side and just make you feel pretty.  You can’t go wrong with that.

Combine the neutral trend with feminine flowers in the Kelsi Dagger Belize, which is available at Piperlime for $135 with free shipping.  Can I say just how much I love this pair?  Yes, this is true shoe love for me.

Go for girly-with-edge in the ruffled Jeffrey Campbell Quarry with the infamous unicorn heel.  These are available at LuLu’s for $139.  I love these with the lace tights.

The ruffled and zippered Dollhouse Kirna is super-lovely and nicely affordable too.  Get the best price at Shoes.com, where they are available in black or fuschia for $50.  They drop to $40 when coupon code MSAVE is applied at checkout.  Endless has them in more color options - green, black, blue, pink and white - for $51.95 with free overnight shipping.

Wedges

Wedges are always in, but particularly so this spring.  I love wedges because they give you flattering height, but they tend to be more comfortable than skinny heels.  Plus, they work well with many spring looks and can typically be dressed up or down.

Combine the neutral trend and the wedge trend with the Sam Edelman Kyla, which is offered at Shoes.com for $149 with free shipping.  They drop to $119.20 when coupon code MSAVE is applied. If they don’t have your size, try Zappos for $149 with free shipping.

Combine the feminine detail trend with the wedge trend (and get a great deal to boot) with the SM Ven Rosette wedge in six color options for $39.95 at DSW.  Coupon code KCOOK34 takes $5 off, making them $34.95, and code FREESHIP gives free shipping (enter both at checkout).  Expiration for these codes is unknown.

Oxfords

The oxford jazz flat seems to big right now and, to be honest, I’m personally not a big fan of this trend because I don’t find it very flattering.  However, I have seen oxford flats look pretty cute with cuffed jeans, so it can work with certain looks.  If I were to apply this trend, I’d go for an oxford with a twist (and a heel) in this awesome pair:

Get a variation on the traditional oxford style with the addition of lace and a unique heel with the 80%20 Hope Oxford from the Ce Ce Chin Collection (find more available color options here).  You’ll combine the oxford trend and the feminine detail trend with this shoe, which is available at Karmaloop for $175.  Coupon code CLINTON takes 20% off, making them $140.  The coupon expiration is unknown.

White shoes

Piperlime lists white sandals as a hot trend right now.  To me, there’s nothing like an amazing white pair of shoes for spring and summer, but it can be tricky to find the right one.  There’s always a fine line between a hot pair of white shoes and one that comes across as a bit cheesy.  Here are some that I think fall into the hot category:

The Naughty Monkey Parade is one of Piperlime’s white shoe examples and I’m loving it too.  The brown straps and heel provide a nice contrast for the white base color.  Get it for $80 with free shipping at Piperlime.

Combine the white trend and the feminine details trend with the gorgeous Betsey Johnson Amorita.  It’s available at Endless for $185 with free overnight shipping.

I also like the white version of the Dollhouse Kirna mentioned above, which you can get for $51.95 with free overnight shipping at Endless.

Tribal

Get a little wild this season with a tribal-influenced pair of shoes, which always add an exotic flair to your look.  Try out the trend with these pairs:

The Kelsi Dagger Grace has a tribal influence with its use of wooden beads, but it gets all dolled up with the addition of sparkling rhinestones.  Endless has it in 3 color options for $148.95.

Combine the tribal trend with the wedge trend in the Naughty Monkey Liggy, which has a dramatic printed heel.  Get it at Shoes.com for $85 with free shipping.  Coupon code MSAVE drops it to $68.

Clogs

Clogs are making a big comeback this year.  If you want a clog with a hefty dose of attitude, try this pair:

Steven by Steve Madden Durann for $149 at Shoes.com.  Coupon code MSAVE takes 20% off, making them $119.20 with free shipping.

Nautical

Get sailor chic this season with nautical-inspired shoes, which are clean, classic and fun to wear.

The Nine West Cawley in navy with cork platform and red heel will have you sailing into high style.  You can find this shoe at Endless for $88.95 with free 2-day shipping.

I’ll be covering any additional shoe trends I see in upcoming Hot Trends features, so stay tuned!

Note: The MSAVE coupon code for Shoes.com mentioned in this post expires 3/31/10.  All prices listed are subject to change.

Cheap Chick is doing the happy dance because it’s Saturday and we’re finally having a beautiful warm day - a welcome break from the dreary, cold, icy weather that’s been prevalent here lately.  What else makes Cheap Chick happy?  Cute shoes on the cheap, of course.  So, before this little birdie goes outside to do…well, what chicks normally do (flitting around, chirping, pecking for bugs, etc.), she thought she’d round up some of the best brand name shoes for $25 or less.  All of these are offered by 6pm:

Dolce Vita 5125-51 in brown or black for $25 (MSRP $125).  Sizes are getting really limited, so snatch this awesome deal up quick if your size is available.

J.Renee Blaze in white or brown for $21.99 (MSRP $109.95).  Love the bead detail on these.

Hale Bob Cara in black for $19.80 (MSRP $99).

Enzo Angiolini Caitria in black for $17.80 (MSRP $89).

Steven Lalo in black leather and four other color choices for $25 (MSRP $125).  It looks like some of the color options are sold out.

Exchange by Charles David Acrobat in burgundy, black or brown for $15.40 (MSRP $77).

Via Spiga Taunt in brown, white or black for $19.80 (MSRP $99).

Jeffrey Campbell Anne in red, black or purple for $18.60 (MSRP $93).

Matiko Jane studded flat in black or off-white for $18 (MSRP $90).

Chinese Laundry Suzana in tan, brown or black for $14.72 (MSRP $73.60).

Schutz 34901002 in black or tan for $17.94 (MSRP $89.70).

Two Lips Lori in black, bronze, brown or white for $15.18 (MSRP $75.90).

Shipping adds a flat $6.95 to your order.  Please note that availability and prices can change at any time.

6pm has a new sale for 75% off Two Lips shoes this week and almost all of the 500 shoes currently available are under $25, qualifying them for Cheap Chick status.  With prices starting at $12.75, there’s definitely some great deals to be had, like the Two Lips Miami above for $19.75 (MSRP $79).  I also can’t help but think that the Two Lips Giuseppa below is a fun choice.  We all need a super-sparkly, silver glitter slide-on heel, right?  If so, this particular one is marked down to just $18.74 (MSRP $74.95).

Sale ends 1/29/10.

Charlize Theron is a talented actress and style icon who always looks gorgeous in the latest designer fashions, but she also devotes time to helping others from her home country of South Africa through her charity, the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project.  The non-profit has a mission of “creating a safer and healthier life for impoverished, under-resourced children and communities of South Africa, with a particular focus on individuals suffering from HIV/AIDS” and their efforts have included providing mobile health clinics in the Umkhanyakude District that provide health testing and education.  They have plans to build athletic facilities with clean water sources and develop community soccer programs in the coming year.  TOMS Shoes is also involved - they’ve partnered with the charity to donate 10,000 pairs of shoes for residents of the area, which will be distributed this month.  As part of this collaboration, Charlize has designed a limited-edition shoe for TOMS with a portion of the sales proceeds going to her charity.  Here is the shoe she designed, one version for women and one for men:

Charlize Theron TOMS Baobab for women $54 at TOMS

Charlize Theron TOMS Baobab for men $54 at TOMS

The vegan-friendly canvas slip-ons feature a native baobab tree design and a custom lining with an Africa Outreach Project logo pattern.  Unfortunately, the women’s pair is already on backorder, but check back with TOMS for future availability.  There are still a few sizes left in the men’s version, which could be a nice gift idea for that special guy in your life.  If you order by 12/20/09, you can get it by Christmas via UPS 3-day air.  Other expedited shipping options are available through the 22nd of this month.  In addition, TOMS donates one pair of shoes to a child in need for any pair of shoes bought on their site.  It’s definitely the kind of shoe purchase that keeps on giving - something we can all feel good about.

Update: The men’s version is now also sold out, but it looks like TOMS will be re-stocking this style, so be sure to check back!

Seen on People StyleWatch

Charlize Theron photo from www.charlizeafricaoutreach.org

Get this Keds Classic Mule for a low price…we’re talking really low.  Fashion Bug has this style for $5.98, which is already super inexpensive, but coupon code 776263907 takes another 20% off 1 item.  That brings the total to just $4.78.  They are sold out of navy and red, but you can get them in white or blue (light blue with white stripes).  Shipping adds $4.95.

They have more Keds for this price in their clearance section, although size selection is very limited for some styles.

Take a walk on the wild side in this Amanda Chili Pepper Slide, which comes in your choice of zebra or leopard print.  Get this distinctive pair at Shoe Trader for $39.99 on clearance.  Apply coupon code 943357 at checkout to score an additional 25% off, making this pair $29.99 with free shipping.  Expiration: 1/29/09