Rain boots ( August 14, 2009 )  Rain boots, Butterfly, $25, Piperlime.com.

I was recently asked by the Ft. Lauderdale’s Sun Sentinel’s, Fashion Columnist, Rod Stafford Hagwood to provide some insight on what’s on trend for kids going back to school this season.  Rod is a great guy and a talented writer, so I was happy to help . I  had fun researching some of the coolest trends for kids this season and I must say kid’s have some cool options these days! I also have to say thanks to Ken Proctor and John Licata, who both gave me a little help. Check out the article below!!

Divine Designs Allow Kids To Hit Their Stride In Style

Divine designs allow kids to put their best, most stylish, foot forward.

By Rod Stafford Hagwood Fashion Columnist

August 16, 2009

OK, Mom and Dad, this is what your kid finds fabulous in footwear this Back-to-School season … and how much it’s going to set you back.

We canvassed shoe stores and online retailers to find out what’s kicking in kicks in order to make the whole process a little bit easier for you.

And if you and your matriculant ( Google it) don’t see anything you like here, check out a shoe photo gallery at SunSentinel.com/shoes.

1. Flats/ballet shoes/slip-ons

From prim Mary-Janes to plaid slip-ons, there are classic preppy touches added to the casual ease of these don’t-try-so-hard comfy shoes.

2. Hightops/sneakers

This is where the artistry of shoe design shows up in Back-to-School fashion. From dazzling sequins to colorful cartoon prints, the embellishment is bumped up a few notches this season.

And Back-to-School means old school.

“From skater sneaks like Skechers to Converse and Nikehightops, neons are in,” said Julia Kreibich, founder of Miami-based ShoeBizness.com, which follows shoe trends. “Gray is the new basic. Gray with neon purple, gray with neon orange. Anything bright and shiny.

“It’s a kickback for kicks, to the ’80s and early ’90s.”

3. Loafers/boat shoes

Of course the nautical boat shoe is perfect for Florida, but now waterproofing technology — as seen with Geox and Crocs — is de rigueur for our water-rific lifestyle. Loafers have a sleeker, more sophisticated look to them, with plenty of high gloss.

4. Ankle boots/rain boots/boots

Is biker chic back? Well, from the ankle down it is. Add some ’80s edge and sharp silhouettes to the rivets and studs and you have foot fabulousness. Rain boots are neon-bright, while chunky lug boots and lace-up wedge boots continue to be popular with goth-metal-hardcore-loving boys and girls.

5. Sandals

It may be soooo wrong to wear sandals to school, but it’s soooooo Florida, isn’t it? Well, at least the gladiator styles give you a little more structure … even if your tootsies are still exposed.

6. Moccasins/wedges

Ah, the contradictions of youth. “Younger kids want to stand out and be more unique,” said ShoeBizness.com’s Kreibich. “But they also totally follow their celebrity idols. Miley Cyrus wore moccasins, so young girls see this and now moccasins are hot.”

Kreibich added that wedges and — yes — heels are showing up on younger and younger girls.