However, if you want to take it a step further, and design a pair of shoes right down to the last detail, look no further than the Vans website. You may think that making your dream shoe a reality would be a little pricey, however even if you’re on a budget, you can probably afford it. Just go to the Vans website, and click on the “Shop” link and then click on “Custom Shoes,” at which point you‘ll select a shoe style.

After choosing your shoe, select your gender and shoe size, and begin customizing. Using a variety of colours and patterns, you can make your Vans exactly the way you want them. Whether you decide on a polka-dot pattern with hot pink, or a black and red plaid design, it will be a completely original combination, all made for well under 100 dollars (US).

Dustin, who has been featured in Tony Hawk video games, designed the shoe with some improvements to the upper to make it more suitable for skateboarding and added high performance features like a full length PU footbed. The result is more durable and more cushioned skateboarding shoe, tried and tested by Dustin – aka “Spawn” – himself.

The most standout feature on the DD Spawn skateboarding shoe is the fat forefront Velcro strap, which is also seen on the Mt. Edition Low. Other features of the DD Spawn skateboarding shoe: it has custom pro graphics, a low profile silhouette, premium suede and leather uppers, and of course, signature vulcanized waffle sole.

The DD Spawn is available all over Canada and the US in red/black and black/blue colour combinations. Check out some photos of the skate shoes here.

The Converse All Star is one of the most popular and well known shoes out there. It is most often seen in it’s original two-tone colour scheme, however since it’s introduction in 1917, the shoe has taken on many different forms. The All Star is now available with a variety of different colours, patterns and designs, however if that’s not unique enough for you, your own custom graffiti could be just the thing to make your Converse truly one of a kind.

You’ll want to start with some light coloured Converse All Stars (preferably white). It’s a good idea to stuff the insides of your shoes with something before you begin, as this will make them easier to draw on. Once you’ve either selected or created a design for your shoes, buy some fabric pens in the colours of your choice.

If this is your first time customizing a pair of All Stars, you may want to cut out a cardboard template for the lettering. Use the template for the outline of each letter, then colour in the middle. If you do decide to free-hand your graffiti, be careful, as the fabric pen is permanent!

That’s all there is to it to making your own head-turning graffiti Converse shoes!

We recently showed you the floral-patterned Dr. Martens, which are an ultra-feminine, high-heeled Dr. Marten boot dotted with pastel pinks and purples. The Darcie boot has a bit more of an edge. You might remember the Darcie Dr. Marten boot from it’s initial release in fall 2008, when it became an instant success.

The Darcie boots come in three patterns: black topos, white topos, and monstruto. They show off animal-printed pony hair (which isn’t actually pony hair, it’s Italian cowhide leather with the hair left on). If you’re not sold on the animal-patterned print, you can opt for the more subtle Darcie Doc Martens, which feature an outer of pebbled black leather with a sleek three-inch heel.

One more style in ladies’ Doc Martens for this fall is the Lily, which is available in the same animal-print as the Darcie, but is a chunky sandal instead of a boot. While you may wonder why a sandal is being released in fall, it’s because it’s a thick, sturdy version that pairs perfectly with skinny jeans or autumn skirts.

Curious? Check out some photos of the Darcie and Lily Doc Martens here.

“Part of a promotional effort with our friends at Converse, the shoes merge two of my favorite things — a pair of snazzy Chuck Taylor’s and comics,” said Alex Segura, who runs DC’s The Source blog.

The DC Comics Converse styles include a black pair with a vivid Green Lantern image, high-tops with a slick black and yellow Batman design, or the Superman print that looks straight off the pages of a comic book.

The Chuck Taylors dedicated to the Green Lantern character are in preparation for the upcoming movie starring Ryan Reynolds, which will be coming out in the fall. The sneaker design features the comic book illustration of Green Lantern with the cityscape in the background, and the Green Lantern logo on the tongue tag.

All of the DC Comics Converse shoes are priced at around $50, and you can check out styles here.

Vans has become famous for their stylish sneaker packs for kids and adults, and they often create designs that appeal to the young and young at heart, like the Yo Gabba Gabba! children’s Vans. The Vans Vault Carrot Pack  is available as the Sk8-Hi LX and Era LX, and both sport a cotton upper with the skateboarding rabbit graphic.

The rabbit has become a popular pick in everything from movies to book characters – just take Bugs Bunny or the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland, for example. The Vans Vault Carrot Pack will be available later this month at Vans retailers.

If you’re a parent, you may very well have a kid who sings along to hits like Party In My Tummy and I Like To Dance. Kids and adults seem to be equally obsessed with this quirky series, which featuers host DJ Lance Rock and cartoonish characters Muno, Foofa, Brobee, Toodee and Plex  in lively musical segments and animated sketches. Yo Gabba Gabba is relatively new – it premiered in August 2007 on Nickelodeon, but it’s attracted a huge global following in just a few years.

Yo Gabba Gabba kids’ Vans will be available in November, so your children won’t be able to snap them up before school starts again, but they’ll be out just in time for Christmas shopping! There are eight different versions of the Yo Gabba Gabba kids’ Vans, in both the Classic Slip-On and Sk8-Hi Deconstruct styles. Each version has a Yo Gabba Gabba character featured on the shoe, or if your child can’t choose, they can opt for one of two versions with the whole group.

Prices for the Yo Gabba Gabba Vans kids’ shoes will range from approximately $32 to $45.

Dr. Seuss (real name: Theodor Geisel) wrote more than 60 books, and titles like The Cat in the Hat, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and Oh, The Places You’ll Go! are as popular as ever with both kids and adults. Some of the most-loved characters are splashed across the double-tongued One Fish, Two Fish low-tops, the black Cat in the Hat high-tops, and the bright red high-tops with Thing One on one shoe and Thing Two on the other. For those who like a more subtle design, there are options like the If I Ran series, which are a pretty pastel pink and blue design. And, for the fully grown but young at heart, there are also some Dr. Seuss Converse options in big sizes!

Check out some of the wacky and wonderful Dr. Seuss child and baby Converse collection here.

Here are two new styles of men’s Dr. Martens boots to watch for this season:

Dr. Martens/Rehacer: Docs has taken the iconic 8-eyelet boot and ramped it up with three new wool flap colourways. The newest Doc Martens boots are part of a collaboration between Docs and Japanese shoe retailer Rehacer, who have developed the colourful wool flaps with Indian-style patterns. Get the first looks at the Dr. Martens/Rehacer collaboration here.

Doc Martens/COMME des GARCONS: Dr. Martens has also collaborated with popular menswear brand COMME des GARCONS to release a selection of durable Oxford, Brogue and Chukka men’s Dr. Martens shoes, available in red and black colourways. Usually, COMME des GARCONS designs are somewhat avant garde, but they’ve stuck pretty close to the classic Docs look, complete with the yellow contrasting stitches and “Bouncing Soles” that are customary to the Dr. Martens brand. Take a peek!

Now…you’ll just have to be patient until September when these Dr. Martens fall 2010 boots and shoes will be available on store shelves near you!