Flip flops haven't flopped, but there's a new shoe on their heal.
Half tennis shoe, half ballet flat, skimmers (often referred to as ballet flats) are the hot shoe for spring and summer.
Within days of each other last month Lauren Swantko, 14, of Rochester, said she and her friends all were wearing skimmers to school. Fortunately the shoes come in so many colors and patterns there's enough to go around.
Hers are blue with white flowers, while her friends' sport plaid and polka dot varieties.
It's easy to see why they're everywhere. The sweet slip-ons are cute but not cloying. They're simple but not boring. They're comfortable (for hours and miles) without looking heavy and athletic. And -- bonus -- you can wear them with just about everything in your closet.
"It's nice you can wear them with a skirt or long pants," said Lauren's sister Katie Swantko, 17, who picked up her first pair of ballet flats last fall. "Try wearing tennis shoes with a skirt."
Skimmers also are easier to wear than flip flops and more comfortable than regular tennis shoes, Swantko said.
The best part: Plenty of skimmers are inexpensive enough for you to build a collection. The shoes first packed a punch last summer, and now they've filtered down into every price point, from $15 to $300.
The selection at Macy's in Rochester ranges from Steve Madden, Report, MIA and Rocket Dog, to designer brands like Jessica Simpson, Coach, and Circa by Joan and David.
They all come in a choice of solids, stripes, patterns and metallics.
Animal prints like leopard skin and zebra are the new look this season, said Deb Flicek, area manager at Macy's in Rochester. Other hot trends include the more casual canvas styles as well as patterns and details, she said.
"Red is a really popular look too," said Ritika Vadehra, a Macy's customer service team leader. "Everybody must have at least one red shoe in their wardrobe."
Keds even came out with a collection of patterns created by young, savvy designers such as rock-poster artist Eleanor Grosch.
Royal Elastics, which can be found at Prior Avenue in Apache Mall, expanded the trend into new styles, including a split-toe shoe.
"These are exclusive, in high demand shoes," said Jeremy Teal, manager of Prior Avenue, which opened March 9 in Apache Mall. "We sold out in the first three days we were open."
While skimmers and ballet flats are younger-looking shoes, Teal said he's found age doesn't matter. The look is classic, recalling Audrey Hepburn.
Skimmers earned their name because they literally "skim" the foot -- they're cut deeper than a ballet flat and usually show a little toe cleavage. Which, of course, allows them to look sexy and sporty at the same time.
"You can wear them from day into evening," Vadehra said, noting, better yet, "You can follow a trend without killing your feet."
Skimmer skinny
Wear skimmers with:
• Jeans. Got a pair of skinny jeans? A slender pair of skimmers is the perfect match. The shoes are appropriately casual -- but they're not bulky or heavy enough to mess up the long line you've got going on.
• Skirts and dresses. Consider, if you will, a skirt with leggings. The leggings make the skirt trendier, cooler -- and so does a pair of skimmers. Or slip on a pair of tidy, dressed-up skimmers with a pair of leggings and a tunic dress. You look comfortable and put together without trying too hard.
• Shorts. Slip on skimmers with a pair of this year's shorts, Bermudas or capris. Could you possibly look more ready for summer?
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