step ahead

Knee-deep into summer Europe's chicest women are opting for practical glamour and treating their tootsies to flat shoes. Consider them a step up from sandals, more interesting than basic ballet slippers and equally feminine to heels. Russian model Elena Perminova, above, turned up at the Dior Couture runway show in Paris yesterday in Tabitha Simmons ankle-strap flats (also available here) and a shimmery metallic Dior dress, while editor and street style star Miroslava Duma (last image) made her rounds in pointy toe Salvatore Ferragamo shoes with her young son in tow. Also going the pointed route: Danish stylist Pernille Teisbaek (third pic, below) in a graphic patent leather pair by Tabitha Simmons (also available here). More shoes that are flat-out chic include these by Jimmy Choo, Sam Edelman (similar to shoes in first pic, above), Chloe, Coach, Via Spiga and Zara.

Photos: Elena Perminova, Stockholm Streetstyle, Tommy Ton, Look de Pernille, W Magazine