Shoes Are the Main Characters of My Wardrobe—These Spring Styles Deserve Praise

Take one glance at my closet, and you'll see my love for shoes is abundant to say the least. I don't like to play favorites, but there's really nothing like packing away your snow boots and pulling out strappy sandals, feathered heels, and trendy wedges. No offense to black boots everywhere, but a purple heel adorned with feathers has more of the It factor I'm looking for when it comes to completing a look. On-trend styles like the ones you'll find below can completely transform a basic outfit in seconds.

I was on the hunt for shoe styles that would do just that, so I tapped Lya Mariella to give me her lineup of stylish footwear selects from Nine West's latest arrivals. One scroll through her Instagram and it's clear she knows a thing or two about creating looks that are anything but basic. Many of her posts have made it to my 'Fit Ideas Saved folder, so I knew she'd be the right gal to give us a little inspiration for the season ahead. Let me tell you she didn't come to play. The three looks she created will take anyone from the office to happy hour and everywhere in between. The true stars of the show, of course, are the shoes she selected, so keep scrolling to shop her must-haves plus a few extras that have the main-character energy I'm looking for.

When it comes to a spring going-out look, Mariella knows how to strike a balance. "I like mixing feminine and masculine energy in an outfit, which is why, for my first look, I styled Nine West's purple, feathered heels with an oversize, white button-down and baggy jeans. This is a look I'd wear for a day date with my girls because I love how fabulous the feathers on the heels make me feel, and the bright-colored shoes would pop most during the daytime," she says. Add these heels to cart ASAP if you're looking for the ultimate party shoe this season.

Mariella knows denim is the moment, and her look captures it perfectly. "Lately, I've been loving denim-on-denim ensembles, so when I saw these heels I knew instantly I wanted to go for a monochromatic look," she says. "This is an outfit I'd wear on a Friday afternoon for happy hour but would also throw on for a weekend brunch. I absolutely love matching my shoes to my bag, and with this look, I was able to make that happen beautifully." These denim heels are the perfect finishing touch to this season's buzziest outfit. Plus, you really can't beat that under-$100 price point.

Metallics are another huge trend I'm seeing this season, but I love how Mariella's styling made them completely wearable for the everyday. "I tend to go for comfy shoes like these Nine West raffia flats on weekends, especially with a flowy dress," she tells me. "This is a look I'd go for on a Sunday for strolls around the farmers market or even the beach (if I had one nearby). I love that these slides are both comfy and eye-catching because of their gold tones and braided centerpiece." These will be a staple in your wardrobe not only for spring but all summer long, too.