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I was quite a curious child. At around the age of seven or eight my television habits began to steer clear of the then up-and-coming Nickelodeon phenomenon, instead veering towards CNN’s Style with Elsa Klensch and, much more curiously, the spine-tinglingly frightening (well, to an elementary school-aged me) news magazines to the tune of 20/20, 48 Hours, Dateline and 60 Minutes. Reveling in all that hair-raising investigative journalism at such a young age has manifested itself in several admittedly inane fears I cannot, despite my most earnest efforts, relinquish: specifically a phobia of dentist offices’ rinsing water (directly owing to 20/20’s “Dirty Dental Water,” February 18, 2000) and wearing flip-flops in major cities. 

The New York Daily News recently revisted my opened-toe shoe neuroses of sorts with reporters taking to the city streets decked out in flip-flops for four days. The results are staggeringly stomach-churning; so pertubing and frightening that in lieu of terrifying any die-hard sandal-lovers out there, I’ll allow you to peruse the laboratory results at your own intimation. Fear not, city-dwellers! Although sandals are a viable beachside choice, they are far from the only summer footwear option! This season in particular designers came out in full force with stellar closed-toe shoes – think summery brogues, oxfords, low-cut boots, ballet flats and penny loafers – ripe for hitting the pavement. 

Summer closed-toe shoes: 1. Comme des Garçons Leather Shoes – White/Blue/Purple and Red/Green/Orange ($723.60 at Colette) 2. F-Troupe by Jessica Ogden Exclusive Pearlized Brogues  ($175.19 at Browns) 3. Opening Ceremony par Robert Clergerie Amor Lace-Up Platform ($460 at Opening Ceremony) 4. Acne Jean Low-Cut Western Boot – Fuchsia ($560 at Acne Studios) 5. Rachel Comey Cushings Twist Bootie – Caramelo ($345 at La Garçonne) 6. Marc Jacobs Satin Ballerina Shoes with Silk Flower ($446.22 at Colette) 7. Alexander Wang Kori Off The Chain Boots ($555 at La Garçonne) 8. Burberry Tumbled Leather Brogues – Taupe ($375 at Net-à-Porter) 9. Osborn Floral Velvet Booties ($106 at Bona Drag) 10. Rag & Bone Canterbury Loafer ($345 at La Garçonne) 11. Tao Leather Shoes + Hairnet ($675.36 at Colette) 12. Prada Lace-Up Oxford – Visone ($520 at Bergdorf Goodman) 13. Alexander McQueen Leather Ballerina Shoes ($422.10 at Colette) 14. Lanvin Calf Velvet Ankle Shoes, Ribbon ($432.25 at Colette) 15. Henry Cuir Two-Tone Oxford – Brown/White ($439 at Barneys New York) 16. Atalanta Weller Solo Ankle Boot with Straps ($649.66 at Browns) 17. Dieppa Restrepo Dina/Breezy Cali (arriving soon at Jane Leslie & Co.)

(via Lucky)