Charles Albert

Real vs. Steal – Alexander McQueen Studded Platform Booties

by Irina on May 20, 2011

UPDATE: This post has been updated on May 20, 2011. Scroll down to see the new add.

[FYI: The original post was written prior to Alexander McQueen's death, in October 2009.]

It’s quite rare to find a designer who does not only great clothes, but also great shoes. The genius that is Alexander McQueen certainly belongs into this category. I always look forward to what he’s coming up with season after season.

His shoe designs are sometimes crazy, sometimes painfully cute or edgy or just badass like these grommet slingback booties below. But they are always unique. There is ONE thing that bugs me about his shoes though: the PRICE, of course! Despite being on sale, you’d still have to shell out more than $600 to own these kickass heels. Sadly, this is no option for me.

Alexander McQueen Studded Platform Booties
($656.10, Zappos)

Mischa Barton Loves Alexander McQueen

Mischa Barton wearing Alexander McQueen Studded Slingback Booties in black

Charles Albert New 1288 Booties

UPDATE (05/20/2011): After a long, long time another McQueen knockoff popped up. This one’s by Charles Albert and it’s quite easy on the wallet with a price tag of only $34.95. Yay!

Charles Albert New 1288 Booties
($34.95, Endless)

Wet Seal Grommet Slingback Heels

UPDATE (12/10/2009): Here’s one more budget-friendly alternative by Wet Seal.

Click on the link below and navigate to the shoes section or enter style number “41675052” in the search field to find the Alexander McQueen inspired grommet booties on the website.

Wet Seal Grommet Slingback Heels
Style #: 41675052
($32.50, Wet Seal)

Faith “Lush” Eyelet Slingback Sandals

UPDATE (10/31/2009): Found yet another Alexander McQueen knockoff by Faith for all UK/European McQueen lovers. The slingbacks are available in either black leather or grey suede.

Faith “Lush” Eyelet Slingback Sandals
(£75, Faith UK)

Luichiny “Poke A Dot” Slingback Booties

UPDATE (10/02/2009): Yet another Alexander McQueen knockoff. This one’s by Luichiny.

Luichiny “Poke A Dot” Slingback Booties
($85.46, Endless)

Gabriella Rocha “Nanuck” Grommet Booties

UPDATE (09/25/2009): Here’s another Alexander McQueen knockoff version by Gabriella Rocha.

Gabriella Rocha “Nanuck” Grommet Booties
($67, Zappos)

N.Y.L.A. “Revel” Peep-toe Slingbacks

UPDATE (08/14/2009): Found another great looking Alexander McQueen knockoff by N.Y.L.A..

N.Y.L.A. “Revel” Peep Toe Slingbacks
($109.95, Endless)

STEVEN by Steve Madden “TUTORR” Slingback Booties

If you want to channel your inner rock chick as well, try these suede slingback booties by STEVEN by Steve Madden. The platform is higher (= easier to walk in) and the stiletto has been replaced with a cone heel, but otherwise they look practically the same. Also available in blue suede.

Steve Madden “TUTORR” Grommet Peep-toe Booties
($169.95, Endless)

Bebe Belinda Slingback Grommet Bootie

Not digging the gold hardware or the suede? Bebe‘s “Belinda” Grommet Booties might fit your bill then. They have silver instead of gold grommets and the platform is hidden. These have also been messed up with a cone heel though it’s not as extreme as on the Steve Madden version.

Bebe Belinda Slingback Grommet Bootie
($104.99, Bebe)

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Real vs. Steal – Ash Lotus Wedges

by Irina on December 31, 2010

UPDATE: This post has been updated on December 31, 2010. Scroll down to see the new add.

Some shoes need time to grow on me. Case in point: Acne’s Atacoma wedges. Or these strappy wedges by Ash. At first I thought they’d look clunky on, but then I saw Amber from Amber’s Notebook sporting them and quickly changed my mind. Too bad they’re all sold out now.

Ash Lotus Wedges in black

Ash Lotus Wedges
($249.95, SOLD OUT)

Coconuts by Matisse “Bennett” Wedges

UPDATE (12/31/2010): Here’s a lower but still pretty spot-on Ash Lotus knockoff coming from Coconuts by Matisse. Available in black, grey and ivory.

Coconuts by Matisse “Bennett” Wedges
($76.95, Endless)

Jeffrey Campbell “She-Man” Wedges

UPDATE (10/28/2010): If you like it shiny, Jeffrey Campbell has a very cool Ash look-a-like in black patent.

Jeffrey Campbell “She-Man” Wedges
($163, REVOLVEClothing)

P.S.: Also available in black suede at Solestruck & cheetah at Singer22

ALDO “Curly” Wedge Booties

If you’re keen on the Ash wedges, but don’t want to spend that much, here’s a great budget-friendly alternative by ALDO.

ALDO “Curly” Wedge Booties
($55.99, Amazon)

Charles Albert Strappy Wedge Ankle Boots

Not digging the $100 price of the Aldo wedges? Then how about these Ash knockoffs by Charles Albert? They’re spot-on compared to the originals and cost only $44.

Charles Albert Strappy Wedge Ankle Boots
($44, LuLu*s)

Qupid Bikini-48 Strappy Wedges

HOT DEAL: Use coupon code “AUTUMN20” to receive 20% OFF your order!

If you really try to save some cash here, then these wedges by Qupid might be for you. Again, these are dead-on knockoffs, but cost only a fraction of the originals’ price. Available in black, beige, brown & mauve.

Qupid Bikini-48 Strappy Wedges
($35, GoJane)

P.S.: Also available at Alloy.

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Real vs. Steal – Dolce Vita Marilyn Belted Boots

by Irina on October 12, 2010

Boots are one of the greatest things about fall and winter. The constant raining, lack of sunshine and freezing temperatures I could do without, but not being able to rock my boots? No way! These belted OTK boots by Dolce Vita are so my style. Never ever would I wear them with an evening dress as seen on Kim Cattrall and Miley Cyrus, but Khloe and Jennifer look super stylish in them, don’t they? Sadly, these are long sold out and even if they would be still available they would have been a little too pricey for me anyway.

Dolce Vita Marilyn Belted Boots in black

Dolce Vita Marilyn Belted Boots
($350, SOLD OUT)

Celebrities Love Dolce Vita

Kim Cattrall, Miley Cyrus, Khloe Kardashian and Jennifer Love Hewitt wearing Dolce Vita Marilyn Belted Boots

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N.Y.L.A. “Webebe” Knee-High Boots

HOT DEAL: Save 20% on $125 orders of select new boots for women and men.

N.Y.L.A. has a great Dolce Vita look-a-like option if you’re interested in getting the same boot style for less than half the price. Available in black, grey & tan.

N.Y.L.A. “Webebe” Knee-High Boots
($169.95, Endless)

Charles Albert New 1769 High Heel Boots

If you really want to go low-budget, these boots by Charles Albert might fit your bill as they’re super cheap at $58 and also close to the originals. Yay!

Charles Albert New 1769 High Heel Boots
($58, LuLu*s)

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Celebrity Look 4 Less – Leighton Meester in Army Green Cargo Pants

by Vahni on August 11, 2010

I jumped on the skinny cargo movement a couple months back, so you know I just adore Leighton Meester in this utilitarian look. I didn’t think skinny cargos could be flattering, but the more I see them on, the more I am proved wrong. Leighton’s look may be neutral, but it’s anything but boring. And the best part is it is so easy to recreate, as you can see below.

Leighton Meester wearing army green cargo pants, Dolan Miss Sally Blouse, Derek Lam Odesa lace-up sandals &

Our Rating:

Who?	Leighton Meester
Where?	On set of Gossip Girl, New York
When?	July 26, 2010
What?	Dolan Miss Sally Blouse, Derek Lam Star Quilted Blanche bag, Derek Lam Odesa Lace-up Sandals

Leighton Meester’s Laid-Back Look 4 Less

Leighton Meester's Laid-Back Look 4 Less

Go Shopping:

BLOUSE: GUESS Page Top – Cocoa Voile, $59
SUNGLASSES: Cheap Monday New Night Watch Sunglasses, $30
NECKLACE: ASOS Rhinestone Encrusted Angel Wing Long Pendant, $13.48
PANTS: Sanctuary “Peace” Skinny Leg Belted Cargo Pants, $78.90
NAIL POLISH: OPI Bullish On Opi Nail Polish, $2.65
WATCH: ASOS Oversized Metal Boyfriend Style Watch, $20.21
BANGLE: Nordstrom Domed Bangle, $13.90
LIP GLOSS: L’Oreal Infallible Never Fail Lipgloss in Coral Sands, $7.99
BAG: Pieces Quilted Barrel Bag, $50.54
SHOES: Charles Albert 1101 Platform Sandals, $34.95

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Real vs. Steal – Report Signature Downey Platform Bootie Sandals

by Irina on April 29, 2010

These super shiny bootie sandals by Report Signature might be the cheapest real version we’ve EVER featured on InTheirCloset. Usually, it’s all about the $700 Jimmy Choos, $900 Louboutins or $1.500 Giuseppe Zanottis. Not this time though! The “Downey” sandals cost a reasonable $118.99, but due to the celebrity love they received and because of their awesomeness in general they sold out in a rush & were never to be seen again. There are a few non-patent sister styles floating around the net (see Endless, REVOLVE & ASOS), but they don’t excite me as much as the super shiny original (check out the modeling video of the Downey below; sooo shiny!). I’m sure Vahni would approve.

Report Signature Downey Platform Bootie Sandals in black patent

Report Signature Downey Platform Bootie Sandals
($118.99, SOLD OUT)

Celebrities Love Report Signature

Vanessa Hudgens, JoJo and Emmanuelle Chriqui wearing black Report Signature Downey-2 Platform Bootie Sandals

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Charles Albert “Barb” Peep-Toe Pumps

Since we can’t get our hands on the original, let’s do the second best thing and turn to Charles Albert for an almost perfect Downey knockoff! These “shooties” might be not quite as polished as the original and the heel might be a tad lower here, but for less than 30 bucks I so don’t care. The style is the same as is the shiny (faux) patent leather. What more could you expect? Did I mention they’re $30 ONLY? Go figure!

Charles Albert “Barb” Peep-Toe Pumps
($29.95, Endless)

ALDO “Catanese” Open-toe Bootie Sandals

If you’re not so into the shiny patent leather, but do like the overall style, check out these Downey knockoffs by ALDO. Like the knockoff above these here are too almost identical but just have a buttery leather finish. They are currently on sale for $54.98 (RRP was $100) and you can pick them in either black or natural (they call it taupe, but it’s actually more of a nude color).

ALDO “Catanese” Open-toe Bootie Sandals
($54.98, Amazon)