They’re half tennis shoe. Half ballet flat. And completely perfect for spring.
The sweet slip-ons are cute but not cloying. They’re simple but not boring. They’re comfortable (for hours and miles) without looking heavy and athletic. And–bonus!–you can wear them with just about everything in your closet.
On a dainty (but sturdy) rubber sole, skimmers are holding up the casual end of the flats revolution.
The best part: Plenty of skimmers are inexpensive enough for you to build a collection. The shoes packed a punch a few years ago, and now they’ve filtered down into every price point, from $15 to $300.
Major designers are still putting them out there–Yves St. Laurent, Manolo Blahnik and Salvatore Ferragamo offer skimmers. But some of the prettiest, most wearable versions are made by less luxurious labels: Rocket Dog, BC Footwear, Keds.
Skimmers earned their name because they literally “skim” the foot–they’re cut deeper than a ballet flat and usually show a little toe cleavage. Which, of course, allows them to look sexy and sporty at the same time.
How do you make the look work? It’s a matter of deciding how dressy (ballet slipper) or casual (skimmer) you want to be. Wear skimmers with:
– Jeans: Got a pair of skinny jeans? A slender pair of skimmers is the perfect match. The shoes are appropriately casual–but they’re not bulky or heavy enough to mess up the long line you’ve got going on.
– Skirts and dresses: Leggings make a skirt trendier, and so do a pair of skimmers. Or slip on a pair of tidy, dressed-up skimmers with a pair of leggings and a tunic dress. You look comfortable and put together without trying too hard.
– Shorts: Slip on skimmers with a pair of shorts.
Sugar Hook Up Cat pink Asian floral print; $34.95 at shoemall.com
Privo by Clarks Comice green leather slip-on; $74.95 at Nordstrom
BCBGirls Jamary black-and-white slip-on; $79 at piperlime.com
Coach Marie patchwork print; $108 at Nordstrom
Sugar Flava Flav black slip-on with pink buckle; $39.95 at solestruck.com
Roxy Origami cream embroidered silk; $34 at piperlime.com
Report Madrona red denim slingbacks; $29 at Macy’s
Rocket Dog Krash brown-and-green plaid; $50 at piperlime.com
BC Footwear Yours for the Taking peep-toe floral print; $40.95 at zappos.com
Keds Eleanor green and gold parrot-print; $39.95 at Nordstrom
Lacoste Ithia pink athletic-style shoe; $87.95 at Nordstrom
Cole Haan Air Beau maryjane; $165 at 673 N. Michigan Ave. or colehaan.com
