sure, spring is all about color…but i want to talk about neutrals for a moment.  a perfect neutral shoe is the unsung hero of a bright wardrobe.  pair it with your boldest color combo, never having to worry whether you have shoes that will work.  or wear them instead of sandals with the simplest of summer outfits – denim cutoffs and a slouchy tee – and instantly add a bit of unexpected chic to the look.

i’ve been hunting for my perfect neutral flat for longer than i care to admit, but i’ve finally found it in bloch london’s arabian ballerina flat in fossil.

after some close comparisons, i can tell you the color is identical to another favorite of mine, etoupe by hermes.  it’s this wonderful, warm, elephant-hued taupe that flatters any skin tone, works with literally any color you could conjure, but doesn’t disappear like a typical nude or tan shoe would.  plus, they’re incredibly comfy, and are lined with pretty pink suede, which makes them feel utterly decadent every time you put them on.  and at $119, these fall quite nicely into the “obtainable luxe” category.

my only tip with bloch:  they run at least a half size small.  i sized up a full size, and it worked out perfectly.  thank goodness for barefoot tess – there’s no way i would have found these pretties in a 42 any other way!  of course, if you’re in the smaller sized shoe world, you can pick them up right here.