By Alison Jerabek

Wobbly, unstable heels will be tossed aside this spring in favor of ballet flats in provocative colors and gladiator sandals in dark leather and metallic tones, whose down-to-earth proportions any mom will appreciate. Feeling a little tipsy from that seventh-month watermelon you're smuggling? A swanky flat keeps you close to the ground without sacrificing style. Baby in one arm, groceries in the other? The slip-on style of a ballet flat will have you covered. Chasing after your toddler in the playground? Check. Mothers' aching, overworked feet will love this season's shoe trend.

Work it, Work it, Work it

Ballet (or Ballerina) flats can be universally flattering to any leg, shape, and height if properly constructed. This type of shoe is highly adaptable and can be worn with any type of bottom- pants, shorts, jeans, skirts, and dresses of all lengths. Don't be fooled into believing that only the Kate Mosses of the world can look amazing in flats. With the following guidelines in hand, you'll be able to find a flat that is anything but frumpy.

The cut of a shoe's vamp is critical when you are wearing a flat. What is a vamp? The upper portion of the shoe, in particular, when referencing shoes that do not cover the top of your foot, the area between your toes and your ankle. A low cut vamp will cover less of the side of your foot and may give you 'toe cleavage'. In contrast, a high cut vamp completely encases the sides and toe region of your foot.

A difference of a half-inch is enough to span the distance between a cankle creator and a slenderizing, leg-lengthening shoe. Paying attention to this essential detail is very important if you weren't lucky enough to be endowed with long, Misha Barton limbs. The lower the vamp, the slimmer your ankles and calves will look, so don't be afraid to let a little toe show.

Once you've found a vamp that complements your foot and leg shape, don't limit yourself to boring, 'shoe' colors like black and brown. This spring is all about neon brights and metallic textures, and shoes are the perfect way to incorporate these looks into your wardrobe, especially if one of those fabulous royal blue tunics that looked so good on anorexic models transforms you into a overgrown blueberry. Also, you should consider adding a pair or two of sling-back or peep-toe flats. The peep-toe trend that was so prevalent on spring runways translates beautifully in a ballet flat. Pair a neon or metallic ballet flat with one of this season's big, hip-length totes (perfect for stashing all your mommy essentials) in a coordinating color and add to your favorite outfit for an easy, fresh look that won't break your budget.

Gladiator sandals are smoldering hot this season, especially when mated with the Geo-Tribal look. Not as globally complementing as a ballet flat, these sandals really ought to come with a wear-at-your-own risk warning tag. The ankle strap and many horizontal lines can shorten and thicken your legs-not an attractive quality for those of us who may be suffering from the swelling of pregnancy, or who just weren't gifted with skinny ankles in the first place. However, this is still a marvelously urbane look, especially in a metallic color, and you can pull it off if you choose your sandals carefully and wear them with the right outfit. Short silhouettes are a must for this shoe, so grab that fake tan lotion and grease up your gams. This season's 60's inspired shifts are a good accompaniment to the gladiator, as are baby-doll dresses, but you'll have to be willing to either take them at least as short as an inch above the knee, or go for the new maxi trend. You have to be decisive with this shoe. If you aren't a dress or skirt kind of girl, a cuffed, safari/military styled short and a gauzy tunic in a tribal or geometrical print is a perfect complement to this sandal. Remember that any short needs to be actually short; if you pair it with a capri or too long of a short, your lower half will be dissected by excessive horizontal lines, without the relief of a broad expanse of skin, and you will wind up looking squat.

When selecting a gladiator sandal, it's important to strike a balance between leg-flattering qualities of thin straps and the chunky straps that designers have favored for this season. Thick brown leather and metallic-textured straps were the runway picks, with the sandal styling ranging from the simple, ankle strap-height shoe to the extreme of just-below-the knee espadrille-like sandals. You can adapt the runway trend by aiming for a versatile, medium strap, ankle-height shoe in a leather or metallic texture of your choice.

This spring, embrace mommy-friendly fashion with your own version of this practical trend.

-This Article was originally published for Make Me a Hot Mama E-zine. For more mom-friendly fashion and beauty tips, visit http://hotmamafashion.blogspot.com