E-Mail This Article to a Friend Shine on Metallic shoes to make summer days even brighter BY ANDREA TOOCHIN

After spending ENDLESS winter days clad in wool coats and black boots, this summer’s miniskirts and halters are a welcome sight. But for those wary of barely legal attire, there’s always an alternative to clothing trends: shoes. This season the hottest shoes are anything and everything metallic. If you can’t afford the designer items that adorn the pages of Vogue, fear not: a plethora of local boutiques and omnipresent chains offers variations on designer pairs at affordable prices, so the rest of us can stroll the streets in style.

If you’re a conservative lass, start off slow with a pair of silver flip-flops ($9.99) from Old Navy. A similar option — in style, though not in price — for those with a penchant for ethnic-influenced products are the Bejeweled sandals ($140) from Anthropologie, silver leather thongs embedded with crystals. If you’re more of a gold gal, pick up a pair of Pillow Talk sandals ($50) from Aerosoles. These gold flats have exposed stitching and thick straps reminiscent of the ones Egyptians might’ve worn on treks through the desert. But for the item most likely to sell out across the country, we have Michael Kors to thank. Since his $150 cork-and-gold-leather sandals graced the pages of couture magazines, they’ve been all over the streets. Now the rest of us can share in the delight — Steve Madden has come out with the similar Gabee ($59.95).

Now that you’re set for strolling, what to wear on those sexy summer nights? Keeping comfort in mind, there’s always the reliable Dollyanna ($55), which Aerosoles has brought back, this year in a metallic version with subtle silver, gold, and bronze straps. For a true strappy sandal, Banana Republic has a gold-leather-and-metal mix with a wearable three-inch heel ($80). Or head over to Urban Outfitters for metallic-leather sandals ($20).

Where to find it

• Aerosoles, CambridgeSide Galleria, 100 CambridgeSide Place, Cambridge, (617) 494-1434; www.aerosoles.com

• Anthropologie, 799 Boylston Street, Boston, (617) 262-0545; www.anthropologie.com

• Banana Republic, various locations; www.bananarepublic.com

• Old Navy, various locations; www.oldnavy.com

• Steve Madden, 324 Newbury Street, Boston, (617) 262-4600; CambridgeSide Galleria, 100 CambridgeSide Place, Cambridge, (617) 374-9952; www.stevemadden.com

• Urban Outfitters, 361 Newbury Street, Boston, (617) 236-0088; 11 JFK Street, Cambridge, (617) 864-0070; www.urbanoutfitters.com