UPDATE: This post has been updated on May 12, 2010. Scroll down to see the new add.
Mary-Kate Olsen is quite the trendsetter. A few weeks after being spotted on MK’s feet, Stella McCartney‘s mesh sandals hit the digital shelves of NET-A-PORTER, but sold out there super fast. If you are craving the real deal, you can still find them on Stella’s website or read on and let me show you some recession-proof alternatives.

Stella McCartney Mesh Basket Sandals
($995, NET-A-PORTER)
Mary-Kate Olsen Loves Stella McCartney
At the beginning of 2009, Mary-Kate Olsen was having an obsession with Stella McCartney’s mesh sandals from the Spring 2009 collection. She was wearing them to various events and when being out and about before finally moving on to another pair of lustworthy heels which she could wear to death.

Martinez Valero “Cleo” Sandals
UPDATE (05/12/2010): Yay! Finally another Stella McCartney knockoff and this one’s absolutely fabulous I think. Martinez Valero did a great job with his “Cleo” sandals. They come in either black, nude or silver.

Martinez Valero “Cleo” Sandals
($159.95, Endless)
BCBGMAXAZRIA “Lisa” Pumps
UPDATE (03/10/2010): Here’s yet another fabulous but slightly pricey Stella McCartney knockoff by BCBGMAXAZRIA.

BCBGMAXAZRIA “Lisa” Pumps
($250, Endless)
P.S.: Also available at Shoebuy
.
Nine West “Hotrock” Mesh Sandals
UPDATE (10/30/2009): Found another budget-friendly Stella McCartney alternative by Nine West.

Nine West “Hotrock” Mesh Sandals
($72.05, Endless)
P.S.: Also available at Zappos
& Nine West
.
Bebe “Lizzy” Mesh Sandals
I always thought Steve Madden is the king of knockoffs, but after seeing so many knockoffs coming from Bebe latey, I have come to the conclusion that they deserve this title. Whenever I visit their website, new designer knockoffs have popped up just like these Stella McCartney knockoffs for example. Bebe’s “Lizzy” sandals come in 3 different colors and retail for $139.

Bebe “Lizzy” Mesh Sandals
($139, Bebe)
There is such a thing as the perfect pair of summer stilettos and I believe Azzedine Alaïa created them. Look at these darlings below: wouldn’t they look perfect with a yellow sundress or white capri pants? They used to retail for approx. $1.000 at Browns, but it seems like they have sold out recently.

Azzedine Alaïa Gladiator Stiletto Sandals
(~ $1.000, BrownsFashion.com)
Celebrities Love Azzedine Alaïa
Azzedine Alaïa is loved by the celebrity world, so it’s no surprise to see female celebrities flaunting his designs on a regular basis. Charlize Theron for example looks chic wearing her black Alaïa sandals with a black tunic dress while Katie Holmes took a more casual approach by pairing her tan version (my personal favorite!) with a plaid blouse and cuffed boyfriend jeans. Celine Dion went the sexy route and sexed up her silver metallic Alaïa heels with a micro mini pink Balmain dress.


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Boutique 9 Vivacity Sandals
These Azzedine Alaïa knockoffs from Boutique 9 are pretty much spot on except for the heel which is a bit thicker and not quite as high as on the originals. However, they also retail for a lot, lot less, being currently marked down from $155 to $89.99. Also available in black leather.


Boutique 9 Vivacity Sandals
($89.99, Piperlime.com)
Moul Style Gladiator Sandals
UPDATE #1: Just found another pair of Azzedine Alaïa gladiator sandal knockoffs which you can buy from YesStyle. The heel is thicker, but other than that they have the same look and feel as the Alaia sandals. Sorry for the crappy pic, you can see the shoes from other angles on YesStyle’s website.

Moul Style Gladiator Sandals
($72, YesStyle.com)
BCBG Max Azria Buckled Gladiator Sandals
UPDATE #2: Yet another pair of Azzedine Alaïa gladiator sandal knockoffs coming from BCBG Max Azria which are currently on sale for $217.80 and available in either black or white with a wooden heel (Shopbop
has the sandal in white for $275 while Endless
has the same version in black, $274.95).


BCBG Max Azria Buckled Gladiator Sandals
($217.80, Zappos.com)