Heels do add a certain oomph to any outfit, but it’s nice to be able to get that effect without the foot-aching reality of a stacked pair of heels. So for those of us who want to look great but also want to sport practical footwear you can now look great and breath easy with this summer’s low-heels and ballet flats that are making an appearance in fashionable footwear for women.

Ballet pumps, a staple favourite for quite some time, have been revitalized in animal patterns being incorporated into a wide range of materials and styles. Take for example Tony Burch’s Eddie or Reva combining animal and bright hues or patent leathers, Bank Two sports strapped pumps and Guiseppe Zanotti goes edgy in leopard print with skull and bones. A clear winner this season has been suede, coming from Ralph Lauren and Lanvin, bright coloured patents from Salvatore Ferragamo and TopShop, Alaa and Marc by Marc Jacobs calf hair varieties contrasted against sexy snake skin by French Sole and Pieces.

Although mannish in their origin, the now androgynous Brogues have taken on a new life in women’s designer fashion, supporting a raft of different genres from preppy college chic or boho glam to super smart power dressing. Seen this season sporting styles for every occasion, there are animal prints in zebra from Miu Miu or leopard from Christian Louboutin, contrast two-tone colours from N.D.C and Sonia by Sonia Rykiel, studded from Bloch and traditional pitted design from Church’s Classic Burwood.

From shoes to boots, the flat comfortable sole effortlessly blends into sleek ankle boots when styled by American designer, Mark McNairy. McNairy’s all black Chelsea boot stays true to its traditional roots but brings a modern cool with its suede finish while Won Hundred’s Freddie lace-ups embody ankle trend this season. Also combining style and comfort, this time by blending an ankle high top with sneakers, are Jimmy Choo’s Tokyo with leopard print in suede, Gucci’s embossed wool and leather and Miu Miu’s patent leather high tops, all in dark hues or Pointer’s Hannah in the soothing tones of Pussywillow with fold down top and contrasting sole. Sneakers or authentic pumps and plimsolls still form an essential part of the summer wardrobe in a kaleidoscope of colours from Classics Superga range, Converse All Stars and Keds.

For the final summer rays, embrace the flip flop while you still can, alive and well in the designs of Firetrap, Ed Hardy and the wildlife ready Miss Trish Splash or go classic cool with Havaianas or the punchy zigzag print of Missoni. Footwear this season really is comfort first, wonderfully demonstrated in Scholl’s Band flats with their soles made from wood and also Swedish Hasbeens in both their holed ballerina pumps and sandals in hand made luxuriousness. Gladiator style is still coming out fighting with J.Crew’s Quorra, Jimmy Choo’s Bliss with embellishment detail and the gold and patent leather of Roberto Cavalli.

Also supporting that trip to the beach, the spirit of summer is back in espadrilles in striped canvas on the Marley by Asos, colour blocking from Toms University, bright hues from Superdry or Office and a range of different patterns and designs such as floral from Bounty. In addition, keep the essence of a sun-filled summer down by the water alive with traditional boat shoes from Sperry’s Authentic and N.D.C. or deck shoes from YMC in canvas showing plain neutrals or their vibrant Navajo print.

For the colder weather comes a wide range of comfortable ankle boots that combine style and sass such as the Chelsea boot by Mark McNairy from the men’s designer fashion at Glass Boutique.