One of the best times I can recall, was being in college and going on “spring break.” It didn’t matter if it was to Florida, Mexico or beyond, as long as I was getting away from the books and dismally cold weather up north.

If you are lucky enough to be spending a week in the sun, whether you are in college or not, you are going to need to begin a checklist of the necessary footwear for this trip. I will save you the melodrama and actually make a brief list for you myself!

Item #1 : Flip Flops

You are going to be spending an awful lot of your daytime in a basic flip flop. Whether it’s poolside or on the beach, you want something that is comfortable, versatile and works best with water. Make it bright, bold and adorable, like with this Magnolia Jelly Sandal from BCBGirls.

Item #2 : Casual Sandals

If you are opting to go for a laid back evening (laid back on spring break, what?!), maybe just dinner and a show, you’re going to want something a little less subdued than your usual 4 inch party heels. Steve by Steve Madden’s Laplaya Sandals are a sunshiney way to relax. The loud yellow color also works well with a variety of sundresses.

Item #3 : Party Heels

What would spring break be without the endless partying? You are probably going to need more than one pair of party heels, but here’s one to get you started. Skip the lifeless forms of black leather pumps. Instead shimmer and shine, and dance the night away, in these Bracelet Heels by Charles David.

Item # 4: The Tag-Along

Spring break is made for the pedicure. You live to give your little piggies wiggle room this time of year, but it isn’t a bad idea to bring along with you, a pair of closed toe shoes, as well. Tropical regions tend to get rain here and there, and nobody wants you to leave your feet out in the cold, wet weather. These Betsey Johnson Viva Flats are a pretty pink color, perfect for spring break wardrobes, but also function as a convenient slip-on shoe, for when the weather doesn’t cooperate.

Now unless you are the most simple minded in fashion sense I have ever met, you’re probably going to need to times each item on this list, at least once. I know that a shoe fashionista as myself would never get along with only 4 pairs of shoes during spring break. However, it can be done! We hope this sits as a nice starting point for all you lucky spring breakers out there. Bon voyage and be safe!

When choosing a fictional character to portray via footwear, I automatically took on what I consider the more “exotic” characters of Disney and story telling. I find that I myself am very attracted to all sorts of exotic shoes, therefore making a perfect match! The following choices are options for Pocahontas, Jasmine (from Aladdin), Megara (from Hercules), and Esmeralda (from The Hunchback of Notre Dame). If I were their own personal shopper, they would never pine over the love of a man, but for the love of shoes.

For Pocahontas I’d obviously go the “fringe” route. For what is a Native American princess without her fringe? That said, her bare feet would gladly approve both the Chinese Laundry Scarlett Flat and the Guess Galiena Suede Heel.

For Jasmine I opted for studs and stones. Indian princesses belong adorned in both. Her bare midriff and sea of beautiful fabrics would work perfectly with the Steve by Steve Madden Bianna Sandal and the Sam Edelman Nilla Heel. A princess deserves variety!

For Megara I thought, “lucky lady gets to choose from oodles of gladiator sandals!” Which are VERY in this season. I narrowed down the choices for her though to two pairs I saw fit for a goddess of sorts. Steve Madden’s Croww Gladiator Sandal is ideal for walking amongst much land during the daytime. However if she wanted to jazz things up at night, the Report Barrett Gladiator Wedge will give her some length to the legs and certainly turn heads all through Greece.

Finally, for the gorgeous gypsy amongst the tales, I chose the following for Esmeralda. Gypsys are known for their flare of clothing and accessories, so I wanted to choose shoes that followed along the same line of extravagance. The Charles by Charles David Ecstacy Heel is adorned with sequins and cutouts; ideal for a woman on the go, looking for some evening fun. However, the Report Ellen Sandal is embellished with gold and black stones, which work perfectly with a gypsy queen’s many accents of jewelry.

After the age of 12, Disney movies might not appeal to you like they used to, but being the divine fashionista as you are, you have to look at them in a whole new light! Picture all these fine and fancy footwear options the next time you sit down to capture the magical world of Disney.

 The Shoe Goddess gives some sage advice:

Shoes make up a very important component of what you wear. I’ll admit that it’s usually the first thing I check out when people watching. If you’re just now entering the world of designer shoes or you desperately need to edit your wardrobe, this is the article for you. Also if you find yourself buying pair after pair of cheaper shoes, it might be a good idea to cut back and save your money for a few pair of really good shoes.

The first (and I’d say one of the most important) shoes on our list, is a black pump.

Everyone. Everyone. Needs a solid black pump in their shoe closet.

Look at a few I found on our favorite online shoe spot Heels.com!

 Kochi Heel from L.A.M.B.

 Bayonet from Charles by Charles

 Attitude from Chinese Laundry