I’ve been cleaning out my closet and getting rid of things I don’t wear — specifically, shoes that never see the light of day. My shoe shopping strategy is typically this: go to the shoe store, try on eleventy million pairs that don’t go with anything in my closet and don’t suit my lifestyle, and then buy yet another pair of basic black ballet flats.

My new shoe resolution is to buy shoes that will work with what I own (which, these days, is a closet full of navy blue and black dresses, so this should be easy). I’ve also decided that it’s time to start investing in Really Good Shoes, at least some of the time. I’m not going to be wearing Manolos to little league, of course, but there’s no reason to cheap out on shoes. A few really well-made pairs are better than a closet full of cheapies.

So say I.

Here’s what I’m lusting after right now:

Nine West Bonfire, $89 Piperlime

I love these pumps for a couple of reasons: they’re hipper than your usual peep toe pump, for starters, and the suede makes them both seasonless and easy to dress up or down. Because they’re gray, they’ll go with navy and black, too, which makes them versatile. Most of all, though, I love that even though they have a four inch heel, they also have a one and a half inch platform — which means that the heel is entirely manageable, even for me.

Blume leather ballet flat, $138 at J. Crew

As pretty as the peep toe platforms are, I will most likely opt for a flat shoe instead, because that’s how I roll. I adore this pair from J. Crew because they are so very very classic — the leather flat, the tulle flower — and because they would quite literally go with everything I own. Especially my cropped black pants. Sigh. They’re the perfect marriage of practical (flats!) and fanciful (tulle flowers!).

Jack Rogers Navajo thong, $95.95 at Nordstrom

I have a pair of Jack Rogers thongs  and I love them; they’re like a grown-up alternative to rubber flip flops. Unfortunately, I have loved my Jack Rogers so much that they are almost unwearable in public. My current pair is silver, but I’m thinking that my next pair will need to be platinum, which is not really silver but not really gold; I suspect that will be a little more versatile in the long run. These are the classic Preppy summer shoe, perfect with a black dress and pearls for drinks at the club. Which is absolutely how I plan to spend my summer, of course.

Petals wedge sandal, $24.99 currently $19.99 at Payless

I know I said no more cheap shoes, but let’s face it: it’s a good idea to have one pair of cute-but-expendable shoes for the summer, especially if you’ll be hauling kids around. These are perfect with a skirt and with longer shorts (or shorter shorts, if you’re feeling daring); the bright pink is a nice pop against a basic neutral silhouette, and the platform style gives them more stability than a conventional heel. Plus, espadrilles are huge this year. And yes, I would totally wear these to the little league field, even though they have a heel — it’s not like I’m going to play baseball, I’m just going to watch. Why not wear cute shoes?

You tell me: what’s your shoe fantasy for summer? Or will you be barefoot from Memorial Day to Labor Day?