Once the back-to-school shopping season arrives, my thoughts automatically catapult me forward to fall.  Autumn has always been my favorite time of the year, thanks to the cooler weather and great fall fashions.  I love the warm rusts, browns and golds which surround us both in nature and in our wardrobe choices each year.

ECCO USA has an amazing new selection of shoes just perfect for back to school or for celebrating the fall season.  I recently had the chance to review the Clay Strap Shoes in Cocoa Brown.  Keep reading to learn more and enter to win a pair for yourself!

ECCO's roots in defying convention run deep.  Forty years ago, in the small southern Jutland town of Bredebro, Denmark, Karl Toosbuy pioneered a revolution in footwear, choosing comfort over conformity.  Tired of having his feet mold to his shoes, he charged that the foot should lead the shoe.  A new type of footwear was born.

At ECCO, form follows function.  Scandinavian practicality comes through in their design sensibility, smart choices, and clean lines. Dress assured that ECCO is always appropriate, whether you're navigating unforgiving greens or catching the early train to the office.  Pioneering new fusions of advanced materials and breaking ground on new design methodologies, ECCO builds on a solid foundation to evolve a lighter, more flexible shoe for every day and every need.

As soon as I laid eyes on the Clay Strap Shoes, I knew I had found the perfect casual shoe for fall.  These closed-toe leather shoes will keep my feet nice and dry during the intermittent showers that arise from time to time, as well as nice and toasty once the cooler winds begin to blow.

It's a very smart looking shoe that goes great with everything from a long-sleeve buttoned up shirt, to a corduroy blazer or even a cuddly soft sweater.  The Clay Strap Shoes also effortlessly compliment a pair of slacks or a stylish pair of denim, making them truly versatile for any season.

Although I loved the Clay Strap Shoes' outward appearance, I have to admit that I was quite surprised to discover just how lightweight they were.  I've owned a few pairs of shoes which looked fairly similar to these, but they were all quite heavy and clunky feeling.  The ECCO Clay Strap Shoes were light as a feather though and felt comparable in weight to many pairs of sandals I own.

They were also a dream to wear, feeling much more like a pair of athletic tennis shoes than casual/dress footwear.  I've never owned a pair of ECCO shoes before, but after my experience with the Clay Strap Shoes in Cocoa Brown, I'm sure that many more pairs of ECCO will find their way to my closet!

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Disclosure: I received the Clay Strap Shoes in Cocoa Brown from ECCO in order to facilitate my review. No other compensation was received. This product review is based on my own personal experiences with this item and is completely honest and objective.