Remember when you were a little kid and the change of seasons meant a trip to the shoe store because last year’s shoes didn’t fit anymore? I loved picking out a new pair of sandals at the start of each summer — usually some version of white leather with shiny buckles until one year I went rogue and insisted (against my mother’s probably wise advice) on pair with blue chambray straps decorated with embroidered yellow daisies.

Ironically, I spent the rest of the summer finding every excuse possible not to wear them. Not because I regretted my choice, but because I was much happier wiggling my toes in the warm grass, sand, and dirt.  My love of shoes returned promptly, of course, with the first back-to-school shopping trip. After a summer demanding foot liberation, I happily jammed my freedom-loving toes into a shiny new pair of fall shoes.

These days I don’t spend much of the summer running around barefoot. Maybe because I spend so much less time on the grass. But I do relish the comparative freedom of sandals, espadrilles, and even, occasionally, flip flops.  And, all the same, my great consolation for the end of summer heralded by the coming of Labor Day weekend (well, besides the three-day weekend itself) is the thought of fall shoes. Sure, last year’s shoes still fit. But who can resist all the lovely new styles and colors?

Well, usually. This year, I wasn’t particularly excited about the return of the pointed-toe pump. My freedom-loving toes can take only so much squishing. But I may have to rethink that given some of the options I’ve seen. For example, I love these color-block pumps from Alexander Wang. The soft yellow and gray manage to be colorful yet neutral enough to go with a wardrobe-full of outfits. The sleek silhouette will compliment both skirts and pants (especially the wide-legged variety showcased in many fall collections). Not to mention, these beauties will work well in that always challenging period when our fashion thoughts have turned to autumn but before the weather has made the same transition.