If the summer of 2011 were a colour it would be beige - a greyish, neither here nor there shade.
From the weather - 90 days of milky cloud coverage punctuated by the occasional localised monsoon - to the season's most prolific shoe style - a nude-coloured court championed by a certain duchess - beige was absolutely everywhere and, frankly, we've had our fill.
It is, then, with a Dick Van Dyke-inspired hop, skip and twirl that we bring you our latest footwear forecast. All hail the red shoe: a bright, in-your-face scarlet that is designed to kick high.
From peep-toes to Seventies-inspired sandals, every winter wardrobe will need a pair of ruby slippers. Pioneered on the catwalk by the likes of Ralph Lauren and Jonathan Saunders, who called on vibrant reds to accentuate their autumn/winter collections, a classic court in scarlet or a towering stiletto in boozy burgundy will work wonders against the greyest outfit.
A number of savvy celebrities were quick to pick up on the merits of wearing shoes in crimson hues.
Take Miranda Kerr. With her jeans and tomato-coloured court combo the long-legged model has earned her place on our list of most worshipped style-plates. Other ambassadors include actress Christina Ricci who, at a recent awards ceremony, cheered up a simple silver cocktail gown with a pair of high-cut court shoes in bright red suede, and the young actress Hailee Steinfeld who favours Miu Miu's patent loafers in candy apple red.
On the high street, red accessories are available in abundance. Kurt Geiger has a stunning pair of pin-heel stilettos, while Topshop's Podium sandal comes in a luscious letter-box shade.
To get the most from them, wear your red shoes with clashing shades. A pair of stacked sandals in bright poppy lends a tough edge to an otherwise prissy pink dress, while a wisely chosen pair of vivacious vermillion peep-toes will look stunning with a pretty floral print.
The nude shoe is well and truly dead. Now, who's going to tell Kate?
Twitter: @karendacre
