Well, I think it’s pretty safe to say that zippers are in. We’ve written several posts here that have featured decorative zippers (mostly on shoes) and more pop up every day. Balmain seems to be leading this trend and we can see why. Giuseppe Zanotti who designs the shoes for Balmain is a master. He manages to make zippers and black suede look polished and even elegant. What I really love about these embellished suede pumps is that the shape is wholly classic but the zippers add an industrial/rock edge. That means these shoes will dress up your jeans but dress down your sweet skirt. Unfortunately they’re astronomically expensive, and sold-out to boot.

Balmain Zip-Embellished Suede Pumps
($1.225, SOLD OUT)

Liliana Frog-1 Zip Platform Pumps

These Liliana pumps are a great alternative to the Balmains. They’re not suede, of course, but the beautiful zipper-trim is there, as is that sexy 4-inch heel. Falling somewhere between a pump and a bootie, I picture these with a multitude of outfits. Oh, and did we mention they’re only $37.95? If you’ve had your fill of black pumps, these are also available in chestnut and grey.

Liliana Frog-1 Zip Platform Pumps
($37.95, Endless)

New Look Zip Strap Courts

Now there’s less zipper action going on with this version but I think there’s something so pretty and clean about the one cross over on the bridge of the foot. The toe is very reminiscent of the Balmain heels (looks like you’ll be getting some toe-cleavage!) and the faux suede looks very rich. Very Rock and Roll at a non-rock price. These also come in a very pretty, soft grey color. At £25.00 (that’s about $33) you might as well get both! New Look is a UK retailer but I checked out their shipping policy and it’s pretty reasonable (around $10).

New Look Zip Strap Courts
(£25, New Look)

I think my heart skipped a beat when I first saw these. Anyone that knows me know that my two favorite colors are gray and black; gray and black together? Perfection. I love the luxe meets rocker feel of these Rock & Republic pumps. The cutouts are like jewelry for your feet and the platform means that 4-inch plus heel is actually manageable. At around $250, these aren’t the most expensive shoes we’ve featured, however I don’t know about you but I can’t really drop 1/4 of a grand on a pair of shoes every time I fall in love (it happens often).

Rock & Republic Jolene T-Strap Platform Pumps
($249.50, Endless)

P.S.: Also available at The Shoe Box, Heels.com & Piperlime.

Celebrities Love Rock & Republic

 Loading ...

Liliana “Adlas” Platform Sandals

How happy was I when we found this Liliana knock-off version of the R&R pumps? They’re not 100% identical but they’re pretty darn close and did you happen to catch the price tag on these? At $27.50 you really can’t afford NOT to pick these up.

Liliana “Adlas” Platform Sandals
($27.50, Endless)

Don’t get me wrong: I LOVE ankle boots and all, but over the last 2 years or so I’ve become kind of sick seeing them worn with everything. Especially on the red carpet where young starlets seem to think it’s so super cool and edgy to pair chunky booties with a white frilly lace dress. Yeah, no one’s done THAT before, try-hard. Most of those girls fail when it comes to carrying off such a contrasting look.

That’s why I really appreciate when shoe designers take a different direction with the ankle bootie trend and make them look less bulky and less in-your-face. The Jimmy Choos below are a perfect example for such booties. They’re modern yet subtle, but still feminine.

Jimmy Choo Jedd Studded Booties
($1.250, NORDSTROM)

N.Y.L.A. “Kupa” Studded Eyelet Booties

UPDATE (02/08/2010): Found another great thought pricier Jimmy Choo alternative by N.Y.L.A.

N.Y.L.A. “Kupa” Studded Eyelet Booties
($124.95, Endless)

Liliana “Bandino” Studded Ankle Booties

These booties by Liliana are quite obviously a knockoff of the Jimmy Choos shown above. Don’t they look pretty awesome for $50 shoes? I think I even prefer these over the real Choos because of their rounder shape. Let alone the fact that of course I very much prefer their price which is way closer to my budget than the Choos. Another good thing: these booties also come in grey and purple (faux) suede.

Liliana “Bandino” Studded Ankle Booties
($49.90, FlyJane)

Luichiny “Passa Fy” Booties

While these studded booties by Luichiny might not be as close to the originals as the Liliana ones, I think it’s still very easy to see the inspiration behind these. They don’t have the eyelets and the upper material is faux leather instead of suede, but everything else screams “JIMMY CHOO“! Also available in brown.

Luichiny “Passa Fy” Booties
($98.95, Endless)

P.S.: Also available at Heels.com, LoveMyShoes & Shoebuy.

After running this blog for more than a year I noticed I haven’t featured anything Versace before which I found quite odd. I wondered why. Could it be because Versace is hard to replicate on a low budget scale since most of their clothes require luxe fabrics and superb craftmanship to look the way they do?

Anyway, today I stumbled upon my first Versace knockoff find. I’m sooo in love with the quilted bow pumps below it’s almost painful. Why painful you ask? Because there’s no way I can make them mine at THAT price and they ARE already on sale (original retail price is $1.055).

Versace Quilted Bow Pumps
($739, Bergdorf Goodman)

Liliana “Freely” Peep-toe Bow Pumps

These platform pumps by Liliana are a great and affordable alternative to the Versace pumps since they look pretty much alike. The Liliana pumps have the same cute bow on the vamp as well as the same strap detailing and shape minus the quilted suede which I find a bit sad. Also available in black, but be quick to order because a few sizes are already gone.

Liliana “Freely” Peep-toe Bow Pumps
($33, Endless)

If I had to choose my favorite Louboutin of 2009 I think the “Nitoinimoi” bandage ankle bootie below would definitely be up for consideration. There are not enough words to describe how much I love these. However, there is also not enough cash in my wallet to buy these as well.

Christian Louboutin Nitoinimoi Bandage Ankle Boots
($1.197, MyTheresa)

P.S.: Also available at Browns.

Celebrities Love Christian Louboutin

 Loading ...

Liliana “Jones” Strapped Booties

UPDATE (11/07/2009): Found another great Christian Louboutin “Nitoinimoi” knockoff at FlyJane.

I’m so glad I stumbled upon these babies today. Don’t they look awesome? They come pretty close to the Louboutins (except that the upper material is faux suede here), but the square toe and the signature red sole is making me fall in love with these edgy booties. And they’re relatively inexpensive, too.

Liliana “Jones” Strapped Booties
($69.90, FlyJane)

Anne Michelle Addiction 55 Buckled Booties

HOT DEAL: Get 15% OFF your order at LuLu*s with our exclusive coupon code INTHEIRCLOSET Offer valid until November 23rd, 2009.

Once again Anne Michelle comes to the rescue! Their “Nitoinimoi” knockoff is almost a 1:1 copy of the real deal. The only differences are the missing red sole and the pointed toe which is square on the originals. Everything else from the shape to the bandages and the buckles looks identical. And they’re so inexpensive, too! Only $44 (use our coupon code above and you’ll only have to pay $37.40). Such a great deal, gotta love LuLu*s.

Anne Michelle Addiction 55 Belted & Buckled Booties
($44, LuLu*s)

Boutique 9 “Siaka” Ankle Boots

I know these boots by Boutique 9 are more of an “inspired-by” kind rather than a complete rip-off, but I still think they fit the bill for a great Louboutin alternative. I’m also sort of in love with them even though they are not a steal at $229. Also available in brown.

Boutique 9 “Siaka” Ankle Boots
($229, Zappos)

P.S.: Also available at NORDSTROM.