Sexy Summer Shoe-Ins

Women's footwear this summer is all about variety, yet it's also a story of extremes.

On the low end of the spectrum is the unassuming charm of the ballet flat, counterbalanced on the high end by the sartorial aggressiveness of the towering wedge.

Both looks, whether simple or embellished, appeal to a wide range of women for their comfort and versatility.

Wedges began to cycle back as a popular trend several years ago and have demonstrated staying power. In fact, five new shoes arrived last week at Ten Toes in Shadyside, Pa. -- all wedges, said owner Ron Friedman.

"We're doing mostly wedges, wedges and wedges, all heights in wedges," he said.

The style may be popular because it provides two things most women want in footwear: height and comfort.

"The wedge offers more support than a traditional heel," added Heather Hannan, a public relations manager for Macy's. "On most shoes, the heel sits under only the heel of the foot, but a wedge heel runs under the foot, from the back of the shoe to the middle or front. This gives it the wedge shape."

Wedges can be dressed up or dressed down, which is part of their charm.

"A cork, raffia or rope wedge looks best with something a little bit more casual, like a sundress," said Hannan. "But a patent leather wedge can be worn with a little black dress for an updated evening look."

If you're wearing a lighter top, choose heavier, chunkier wedges, Hannan advises.

"This keeps your total outfit balanced," she said.

The ballet flat has the opposite visual effect of wedges, minimizing rather than maximizing the wearer's height.

Their appeal, Hanna says, is "a no-brainer."

"They are comfortable," she said. "They can be worn with anything from cotton shorts to summer suits. And they look real cute with skinny jeans and a tank top. They are ultra-feminine and always stylish."

Ballet flats also look good with short skirts and long shorts, said Carol Jackson, manager of Footloose in Shadyside.

"Everybody's gone back into that kind of Audrey Hepburn very classic, very sexy look with the ballet flats," she said. "It's a fashion silhouette that's comfortable. It's easily understood. Everybody can get into it from 16 to 60."

Karn Knutson, a shoe lover and former advertising executive in San Francisco, waxed tongue-in-cheek about what ballet flats say about any wearer who is more than 10 years old or who was never serious about becoming a ballerina.

"They say, 'Oh, please pay attention to me,'" she wrote in her book "Shoe-ology," released last year. "'I just found a new wrinkle and desperately need to hear I'm a pretty, pretty princess. And I know you're not laughing at me. You're simply envious of my cuteness."