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There's no need to stress over balancing your need for fashion and function this season, thanks to sturdy block-heeled sandals. With designers like Marni, Isabel Marant, and Rag and Bone showcasing varying renditions on their Spring runways, there's no doubt that chunky-heeled shoes are in — and we're loving them. Pair them with pencil skirts or crisp shorts suits for a fresh take on office dressing, or come cocktail time, style your chunky heels with a silky printed dress and bold jewels. The best part? These block-heeled shoes come in a range of heights and finishes, so there are plenty to choose from. To make your life a little easier, we handpicked 12 of the best pairs on the market right now — shop them below!

Thanks to Vera Wang, Reem Acra, and Lela Rose (pictured below), we're seeing 50 shades of green this season. And the virtual shelves are appropriately stocked with a cool verdant variety, making it all the easier to go green whenever the mood — and whimsy — strikes. Just remember to pair the hue with more neutral tones, like black, white, and camel, so that you don't run the risk of veering into Jolly Green Giant territory. We also love the idea of wearing a structured, printed green top with crisp shorts or a pencil skirt for a new take on office dressing. Ready to embrace Spring's green hue? Shop 20 of our favorite picks below.

Spring's ruffled runways — seen at Chloé, Gucci, and Givenchy, to name a few — are proof that you don't have to be the quintessential girlie-girl type to join in on the fun. If frilly dresses aren't your thing, then try pairing a ruffled top with a pair of tailored trousers and minimal ankle-strap sandals for a look that's simultaneously whimsical and sleek. For a dressier aesthetic, opt for silkier textures, and if you're looking for something more casual, then pair a sweet ruffled confection with a pair of loose jeans. Or, add a sportier tilt to your style with a gray-and-navy color combo punctuated with a pair of black-and-green shoes. Jonesing to add this look to your warm weather repertoire? Shop our three irresistible outfits below.

Left to right: See by Chloé Ruffle Blouse ($188, originally $314), Vera Wang High-Rise Jacquard Pants ($850), Vince Lara Huarache Sandals ($375), J.W. Anderson Asymmetric Ruffle Tank ($640), Mango Cropped Suit Trousers ($60), Narciso Rodriguez Ankle-Strap Side-Buckle Sandals ($1,050), Romwe Cut-Out Rose Blouse ($37), Tibi Vintage-Wash Denim Pants ($250), Steve Madden Realove Evening Sandals ($79)

In addition to being one of our style resolutions, crisp white hues popped up all over the Spring '13 runways, refreshed in modern renditions from the likes of Alexander Wang, Rag & Bone, and Cushnie et Ochs (seen below). For an instant wardrobe update, swap out your tried-and-true black blazer for a sharp white rendition; pair white jeans with a white top for a clean yet bold statement; and nothing says sleek like a white sheath for your next cocktail party. Needless to say, white has made its case as a major style staple this season, and with that in mind, it's time to add a few pieces to your very own wardrobe. From sleek blazers for your 9-to-5 to romantic lace pencil skirts, see and shop our editors' top 16 picks below.

A color story doesn't need to be overtly bright or multifaceted to be a good one — case in point: Zoe Saldana and Candice Swanepoel both turned heads in just one head-to-toe hue. Their looks have more than a sleek monochromatic color scheme in common: both Zoe and Candice also relied on slim cropped trousers and easy long-sleeved tops. The effect? Simple, minimalist silhouettes made the tonal play of both outfits the main event. Your road map — and shopping guide — to channeling the same ultrachic monochrome styles is right here:

• Choose the best tone for your body type. If you're curvier, stick to a darker palette, like Zoe's deep blue or even black and gray. A bright white palette is going to be the least forgiving. However, if you're long and lean, choosing all white or creamy pastel hues can help create curves in body-skimming cuts.
• Look to texture to add interest. Both Zoe and Candice's ensembles are more elevated than pants and t-shirts in the same color family. That's because each looked to different fabrics to help create a more styled mix. Zoe relied on leather pants; Candice juxtaposed the polished feel of her high-waisted trousers with a knit sweatshirt. In both cases, the colors remained the same, but the addition of a sheer blouse, leather pants, or knit top can quickly change the feel of the whole outfit.
• It's all about proportion. You don't have to choose trousers and tops, à la Candice and Zoe, but don't veer too much from their style-setting formula. The trick to making the monochromatic look feel deliberate and chic is in choosing pieces that skim the body and feel more dressed up than your basic jeans. Get the same effect with a fitted pencil skirt and slouchy sweater or sleeveless blouse and cropped pants — just be sure to steer clear of looser, wide-leg pants or overly baggy tops that won't speak to that same polished sensibility. And, whenever in doubt, opt for the same understated, sophisticated footwear like Candice's ankle-straps or Zoe's nude heels that won't upstage your outfit.

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