It’s been about a year but I am now fully committed to the open-toe bootie look. I think it’s the versatility that gets me – they look equally as great with a skirt or dress as they do with pants. These Sergio Rossi Dakota booties are the perfect new addition to the trend. The basket-weave and pale wooden heel scream spring (get here, already!) but the dark leather glides you effortlessly into fall. I think these hot booties would look awesome with bare legs but also beautiful with colored tights. Unfortunately with a hefty price tag of $366 (sale price!) those outfit ideas are merely a day-dream.

Sergio Rossi Dakota Woven Booties
($366, Zappos)

Michael Antonio “Matteo” Woven Ankle Boots

UPDATE (02/28/2010): Just happened to stumble upon these Sergio Rossi inspired booties by Michael Antonio. Me likey! Available in black, tan, beige & turquoise (my favorite!).

Michael Antonio “Matteo” Woven Ankle Boots
($71.95, Endless)

P.S.: Also available at Piperlime.

Boutique 9 “Yashi” Huarache Pumps

I was psyched when I happened upon these Boutique 9 heels. While slightly more of a pump than a bootie, these shoes totally embody the spirit of the Sergio Rossis. Some of you may actually also prefer the black heel to the tan of the originals. Available in both tan and black, I picture these worn with a full skirt and a brightly-colored printed top.

Boutique 9 “Yashi” Huarache Pumps
($149.95, Endless)

P.S.: Also available at Zappos and Nine West & Shopbop.

N.Y.L.A. “Writhe” Huarache Pumps

For those of you that liked the deep brown color of the originals but not the price, this version by N.Y.L.A. might be perfect for you. These booties are slightly more rugged than the Dakotas but they also are considerably cheaper and still have that great basket-weave look. With a myriad of colors to choose from, you can’t go wrong.

N.Y.L.A. “Writhe” Huarache Pumps
($110.95, Endless)

I just adore a studded shoe. Well, truth be told, I’m loving a studded anything right about now. Thankfully there are more options this century than there were in the last one—we’ve moved beyond Bedazzler hideousness and full-on rocker paraphernalia. This lovely Prada sandal is a fab example of studs done right. There’s a hint of rebellion, but also a sort of 40s sensibility in the shape and structure of this shoe.

Prada Studded Suede Cross Strap Platform Sandals
($636, Bluefly)

Celebrities Love Prada

 Loading ...

N.Y.L.A. “Naigel” Studded Platform Sandals

Yes, it’s true: celebrities (and even us mere mortals) love Prada. But the thought of stepping in a puddle or a crack while wearing a $636 suede-covered heel? Uh, I know that’s an idea I don’t love. If you’re of the same ilk, allow me to introduce “Naigel” by N.Y.L.A.. Now you can have all the studded, criss-crossed moxie of the Prada version, in a more resilient and less-expensive leather pair.

N.Y.L.A. “Naigel” Studded Platform Sandals
($114.95, Endless)

I’ve got to admit that I’m a bit surprised by the incredible popularity of the Brian Atwood Lola Pump, because it is bold shoe, to say the least. Yet Lola, and the peep-toe version Wiked, have been photographed on almost a dozen celebrities. No wonder why it’s now sold out.

Brian Atwood Lola Pumps
($680, SOLD OUT)

Celebrities Love Brian Atwood

 Loading ...

N.Y.L.A. “Bandit” T-Strap Pumps

If you had your eye on Brian Atwood’s no-longer-available Lola, the “Bandit” T-Strap Pump by N.Y.L.A. is an excellent alternative. And at $119.95, you can channel Katy’s femme fatale look or Megan’s rocker chic without an ounce of buyer’s remorse. Available in black leather or cheetah pony.

N.Y.L.A. “Bandit” T-Strap Pumps
($119.95, 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.

I couldn’t forget these black suede cutout Louboutin booties ever since I first saw them presented along with Roland Mouret’s Fall 2009 collection. I instantly fell in love and was sure these ankle boots would take off in editorials and on the red carpet equally since they are so endlessly chic and far away from being your average generic ankle boot with their sexy nude mesh cutouts. Rawrrr!

Christian Louboutin Circus Cutout Ankle Boots
($777, NET-A-PORTER)

Celebrities Love Christian Louboutin

 Loading ...

CARLOS by Carlos Santana “Petaldo” Booties

UPDATE (01/25/2010): Yay, another Circus bootie knockoff! Carlos Santana gives you an open-toed Louboutin alternative for under $70 available in black, bronze or pewter.

CARLOS by Carlos Santana “Petaldo” Cut-Out Booties
($68.95, Zappos)

N.Y.L.A. “Culver” Booties

HOT DEAL: Use our exclusive coupon code INTHEIRCLOSET at checkout to receive 15% OFF!

I’ve been waiting so long for a knockoff of these and finally N.Y.L.A. has come up with a pretty good alternative. Their Circus “inspired” booties are black patent instead of suede and they also miss the Louboutin signature red sole, but everything else looks almost identical. Also available in gold.

N.Y.L.A. “Culver” Booties
($129.99, Heels.com)

P.S.: Also available at Endless.

So, did you catch the zippers & buckles trend for this season? This is majorly thanks to Balmain & Giuseppe Zanotti who presented this trend in their wonderful Fall 2009 collection. Take these suede zipper boots here for example. They are absolutely gorgeous and I would LOVE to rock them, but at $1.975 a pair this isn’t going to happen… sad, but true.

Giuseppe Zanotti for Balmain Zipper Boots
($1.975, Shopbop)

P.S.: Also available at NET-A-PORTER.

Celebrities Love Balmain

 Loading ...

Hypnotic “Wilder” Zipper Boots

UPDATE (01/03/2010): Here’s yet another great and budget-friendly Balmain zipper boot look-a-like version by Hypnotic. Available in black, grey and rust suede.

Hypnotic “Wilder” Zipper Boots
($45.95, Endless)

P.S.: Also available at Amazon and FlyJane.

Dollhouse “Lupo” Zipper Booties

UPDATE (11/05/2009): Found another budget-friendly Balmain zipper boot knockoff by Dollhouse. Available in black or blue.

Dollhouse “Lupo” Zipper Booties
($66.95, Endless)

P.S.: Also available at LoveMyShoes and Dollhouse.

Anne Michelle “Just Zip It” Boots

HOT DEAL: Get 15% OFF your order at LuLu*s with our exclusive coupon code INTHEIRCLOSET Offer valid until January 15th, 2010.

I nearly fell off my chair when I saw these hot babies by Anne Michelle popping up on LuLu*s “What’s New“-section. They look so close to the originals and are sooooo affordable at the same time. Major excitement! Yes, they are faux-suede, but it’s almost impossible to get real suede at such a cheap price, so don’t complain.

Oh, and if you’re a smart fashionista and use our above mentioned coupon code, you’ll save another $7.95 on these and will only have to shell out $45.05 for these sexy Balmain knockoffs. Don’t say we don’t care about your fashion needs… or your wallet for that matter

Anne Michelle Addiction 53 Just Zip It Boots
($53, LuLu*s)

P.S.: Also available at Amazon and FlyJane.

N.Y.L.A. “Zipit” Ankle Boots

We all have different kinds of budgets and since I know a lot of you aren’t into faux suede, I wanted to provide an additional great Balmain alternative to lust after. These zippered boots by N.Y.L.A. are significantly pricier than the Anne Michelle boots, but the quality you’ll get will be accordingly better. Available in black, brown, natural or red suede.

N.Y.L.A. “Zipit” Ankle Boots
($144.95, Endless)

P.S.: Also available at NORDSTROM and REVOLVEClothing & Heels.com.

I never paid much attention to Prada shoes because they never seemed to be that noteworthy. For me, it was all about Miu Miu, Miuccia Prada’s younger contemporary line which seemed to always outshine her bigger sister in the footwear department – that was until now. I recently discovered some really neat Prada heels which I instantly loved. Take these studded platform slingbacks for example. Pure sexiness! I love the chunkiness of the platform & heel!

Prada Studded Platform Slingbacks
($750, Barney’s)

N.Y.L.A. “Slinger” Studded Slingbacks

UPDATE (12/17/2009): Stumbled upon another budget-friendly Prada alternative by N.Y.L.A.. Also available in brown leather, fuchsia suede and cheetah print. Use our exclusive coupon code INTHEIRCLOSET to receive 15% OFF your entire order.

N.Y.L.A. “Slinger” Studded Slingbacks
($109.99, Heels.com)

P.S.: Also available at Endless and REVOLVEClothing.

Steve Madden “CARMENAA” Studded Slingbacks

If you like the Prada slingbacks, but can’t afford spending so much on shoes, Steve Madden has a great and almost identical knockoff version of the studded Pradas. They have the same stud details, the same shape and even the same chunky heel. The only noticeable difference (apart from the lower price) is that the Steve Madden slingbacks are suede. Hmmmm, I think I’m going to order a pair of these for myself.

Steve Madden CARMENAA Studded Platform Slingbacks
($109.95, Steve Madden)

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

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 is currently offering FREE SHIPPING on all orders of $15+ (offer ends December 18, 2009).

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 found. Hope you like it. Use our exclusive coupon code INTHEIRCLOSET to receive 15% OFF your entire order at Heels.com!

Luichiny “Poke A Dot” Slingback Booties
($87.99, Heels.com)

P.S.: Also available at Endless, Shoes.com & Zappos

Gabriella Rocha “Nanuck” Grommet Booties

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

Gabriella Rocha “Nanuck” Grommet Booties
($95, 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)

Steve Madden “TUTORR” Slingback Booties

If you want to channel your inner rock chick as well, try these suede slingback booties 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, Steve Madden)

P.S.: Also available at Endless, Nordstrom & Lord & Taylor.

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)