I’m one of those people who can easily justify a purchase. Thoughts like : “Well, this color can work all year round” or “It’ll be PERFECT for summer!” run through my head on a loop whenever I’m out shopping. Shoes are, obviously, no exception and I definitely did some damage in late spring in preparation for the footwear that I HAD to have for summer. 
Well, since the bulk of summer is (shockingly) almost done, I figured I would do a little post on the shoes that I actually had to have–justified by the about of times I actually wore them the past few months. 
So, in no particular order :
Aldo, no longer available.
I had been eyeing these for MONTHS until I finally bit the bullet and snatched them up as soon as they went on sale. I’m so glad I did, as I can’t really go a week without wearing them. The natural done blends in perfectly with my skin – creating an elongating effect which is ideal with the number of summer dresses I tend to wear in warmer weather. The cutout, in my opinion, makes this bootie more “summery” than other – the small bit of exposed flesh makes you think of bare feet. 

Zara, no longer available.
Snatched these up when they too went on sale. Bought on a bit of a whim as I was heading out of the store, but my instinct was a good one and I’m usually in these every other day. Obsessed with the braiding on them and the way that the double strap can make my ankle look ten times daintier than usual. The tiny wedge adds just the smallest bit of height, but hey, I’ll take what I can get. 

Converse, $44.95
My go-to sneaker; a classic in my closet since I was 14. I’ll always have a pair, particularly in white, for days that comfort is key. I finally replaced my old, beat up ones this summer and I keep patting myself on the back for doing so.

Kohls, no longer available.
Another impulse buy that wound up being my go-to date shoe of the summer. Delicate, yet super on trend, these shoes are both comfortable and glamourous. I love the small patch of black on an otherwise neutral shoe. During the summer, I tend to gravitate towards neutrals– so to have a shoe that mixed it up a little was a welcome addition.

Aldo, $34.98
These Aldo gladiators were such a great price– I would’ve been stupid to not snatch them up. Added bonus: I ordered them out of the outlet so I got an additional 30% off of them! Score. (They also come in white.) But seriously– throw these on with a pair of cropped denim and white tee and you have an outfit that’s simple, yet seriously on trend. 
So there you have it. My top five shoe purchases for the Summer of 2013. I always think it’s so funny how a person can buy things–love them at the time–and then never pick them up again. I tend to hold onto my shoes, since I never know when inspiration is going to strike and I’ll just have to have them again (know the feeling?). Which shoes were your favorites this summer? Did you have a go-to style or color that you HAD to have?