How to Wear Aggressive Shoes

"I think this boot looks great with a tight black dress or even with a rolled-up skinny jean," says Stacey Bendet of Alice + Olivia for Payless.

Alice + Olivia for Payless "Robertson" jeweled peep-toe platform boot, $50, at select Payless ShoeSource stores and Payless.com through mid-September.

Payless ShoeSource

DSW's Valara Gee says anything too long doesn't make sense with this kind of shoe. "Now, it doesn't have to be a mini mini mini skirt either, but some of those pretty dresses that are a little bit feminine and floaty and flirty above the knee look great with these shoes," she says.

SM Luxe Trump studded cut-0ut ankle bootie, $80, at DSW.






DSW

DSW's Valara Gee says denim looks great with these shoes, "but it has to be more of a skinny leg to the ankle. Leggings look fantastic with these with something bigger on top, maybe layered, with a bigger shoulder, so almost you're creating that inverted triangle look. And the whole idea of wearing it with a tailored cuff short looks super cute with these shoes."

Madden Girl "Kendra" platform peep-toe bootie, $50, at DSW.



DSW

"We're seeing a lot of these shoes on platforms with a little bit more aggressive heels," says DSW's Valara Gee. "And then the idea of the hardware, certainly becomes important here, whether it's zippers, chains, stud or buckles."

Zigi Soho Zipora platform bootie, $70, at DSW.



DSW

Platform peep-toe booties, like these from Marshalls, are often seen in black. "I think we're seeing a lot of black (shoes), we're seeing a lot of things that are slightly harder edge, because I think it extends that idea of black and even leather and things like that as being recession-proof," says "What Not to Wear's" Stacy London.

Marshalls

Nordstrom's Gregg Andrews says footwear is now being used to ground a look. "Shoes are a little bit more heavy just in general than they've been in past seasons, they're not really delicate," he says. "When we see straps they're bold, they're wide, there are several of them. There's lots of coverage. You know, they might be strappy, but they don't look fragile."

Steven by Steve Madden "Tutorr" sandal in purple suede, $169, at Nordstrom.com.



Nordstrom

Caged footwear tends to have a lighter, more feminine look when the straps are finer and narrower, says Nordstrom's Gregg Andrews. "There's still a lot of coverage to the foot, but for a woman who's a little bit more feminine in her personal style, or she's looking for a shoe to go with softer, more fluid-type garments, this is a great choice."

Jimmy Choo "Keenan" caged sandal in cobalt python, $1,195, at Nordstrom.com.



Nordstrom

"The great thing about these shoes is that they add interest and spice to even the most classic items, or they can solidify an edgier look," says Piperlime.com's Jennifer Gosselin.

L.A.M.B. "Rhett" platform sandal, $240, at Piperlime.com.



Piperlime.com

Piperlime's Jennifer Gosselin says to stick with clean lines when wearing these types of shoes. "Avoid more complicated items like bubble skirts or lots of pattern or statement necklaces," she says. "You want the shoe, itself, to make the statement."

Jessica Simpson "Katie" platform peep-toe in eggplant, $89, at Piperlime.com.



Piperlime.com

"I think edgy shoes are totally for anytime, it just depends on your individual style and what you want your look to be," says "Project Runway" champ Christian Siriano.

Christian Siriano for Payless black pump, $35, at select Payless ShoeSource stores and Payless.com through September.

Payless ShoeSource