Rhinestoned

UPDATE: This post has been updated on January 18, 2010. Scroll down to see the new adds.

Balmain is all the rage right now. It gets worn a lot these days. Their Spring 2009 collection was such a success! One of the most wanted items from that collection were the studded embellished stiletto sandals. They scream BADASS! After hitting the shelves of NET-A-PORTER (priced at breath-taking $2.300) the heels completely sold out within a day or two. If you can afford the real thing, I highly recommend you invest in them. If they are way out of your budget, no need to panic! I have found a bunch of good and affordable Balmain alternatives for you.

Balmain Spring 2009 crystal embellished studded sandals with rhinestones

Balmain Crystal Embellished Studded Sandals
($2.300, SOLD OUT)

Celebrities Love Balmain

As you can see, Hollywood is crazy for Balmain as well. Various celebrities have been wearing the sandals including Molly Sims, Jennifer Connelly (my favorite!), Rihanna and Audrina Patridge.

Molly Sims, Jennifer Connelly, Rihanna and Audrina Patridge wearing Balmain Spring 2009 crystal embellished studded sandals

Who wears their Balmain Spring 2009 rhinestoned sandals best?

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ZiGiny “Vivienne” Sandals

UPDATE (01/18/2010): And yet another Balmain knockoff by ZiGiny. Available in black and taupe.

ZiGiny "Vivienne" Sandals in black (Balmain knockoffs)

ZiGiny “Vivienne” Sandalsendless
($129.95, Endless)

Luichiny “Shock Me” Embellished Sandals

UPDATE (01/18/2010): Take a look at these super cute embellished Balmain look-a-likes by Luichiny. They come in either black faux suede and pewter or bronzeendless faux leather.

Luichiny "Shock Me" Embellished Sandals in black (Balmain knockoffs)

Luichiny “Shock Me” Embellished Sandalsendless
($119.95, Endless)

P.S.: Also available at Shoes.com and Heels.com.

Rocawear “Imana” Sandals

UPDATE (01/18/2010): Rocawear has also a pair of Balmain knockoffs. Available in black & silver.

Rocawear "Imana" Embellished Sandals in black (Balmain knockoffs)

Rocawear “Imana” Sandalsendless
($91.95, Endless)

Wet Seal Jeweled Strappy Heels

UPDATE (11/11/2009): Reader Crystal mailed us this super budget-friendly find. Don’t expect great quality for $15, but if you’re on the hunt for a cheap chic pair of shoes then why not go for these?!

Click on the link below and navigate to the Wet Seal shoes section or enter style number “41543474” in the search field to find the Balmain inspired sandals on the Wet Seal website.

Wet Seal Jeweled Strappy Sandals (Balmain Spring 2009 knockoffs)

Wet Seal Jeweled Strappy Heels
Style #: 41543474
($15, Wet Seal)

Hypnotic “Persian” Studded Sandals

UPDATE (08/30/2009): Just found yet another Balmain knockoff by Shiekh.

If you’re still on the hunt for a pair of rhinestoned Balmain look-a-likes, but don’t have too much money to spend, try these knockoffs by Shiekh. They look very similar to the Bebe knockoffs and are a great Balmain alternative for under $50.

Hypnotic "Persian" Studded Sandals (Balmain Crystal knockoffs)

Hypnotic “Persian” Studded Sandalscj
($49.97, Shiekh Shoes)

Steve Madden “BRIGGHT” Studded Sandals

Of course it couldn’t take Steve Madden too long to come up with his own version of the Balmain heels. The “BRIGGHT” studded sandal is available for $90.75. You better be fast to order if you want to snap up a good Balmain knockoff for a steal.

Steve Madden Brigght Studded Sandal (Balmain knockoff)

Steve Madden “BRIGGHT” Studded Sandalsendless
($90.75, Steve Madden)

Jeffrey Campbell “Mel” Studded Sandals

Jeffrey Campbell also didn’t want to miss out on the Balmain craze and jumped on the bandwagon with his own knockoff called “Mel”. Available in black or beige leather for $164.95 at Solestruck. All UK and European based fashionistas can grab a pair of the Jeffrey Campbell rhinestone sandals at Bunnyhug who are selling them in either black or beige for £150. But you better hurry, there are only limited sizes left.

Jeffrey Campbell Mel Studded Sandal (Balmain Spring 2009 studded sandal knockoff)

Jeffrey Campbell MEL Studded Sandal
($164.95, Solestruck)

Zigi Majestic Studded Sandal

Zigi joined the Balmain copycat bandwagon! The “Majestic” sandal, available in either black or white, is an ode to the highly coveted Balmain studded stilettos. Best thing: they’re on sale (45% down)! Big YAY! You better be quick before they sell out like all the other Balmain knockoffs..


Zigi Majestic Studded Sandals (Balmain Studded Stiletto Knockoffs)

Zigi Majestic Studded Sandal
($125.98, LoveMyShoes)

Bebe Marianna Studded Platform Sandals

It certainly didn’t take too long until Bebe knocked off the Balmain sandals. The “Marianna” sandal is Bebe’s inspired version of the studded heels and it comes in either black or white. Shell out $169 and these Balmain look-a-likes are yours.

Bebe Marianna Studded Platform Sandals (Balmain Spring 2009 studded sandal knockoffs)

Bebe Marianna Studded Platform Sandals
($169, Bebe)

Blingstyle Shoes Studded Ankle Strap Sandals

More Balmain knockoffs! Found yet another knockoff of the Balmain studded stiletto sandal. These darlings here retail for $138 and are great look-a-likes, just as good as the sold out Bebe knockoffs, maybe even better. But you better be fast, there are only limited sizes left.

Blingstyle Shoes Studded Ankle Strap Sandals (Balmain knockoffs)

Blingstyle Shoes Studded Ankle Strap Sandals
($138, YesStyle)

Aldo “SMEAL” Studded Sandals

Aldo was one of the early adopters of the Balmain shoe trend. Their knockoff version “SMEAL” has been around for a few months now. It’s not my favorite among the Balmain knockoffs, but it’s certainly a good alternative to the real Balmains.

Aldo SMEAL Studded Sandals (Balmain Spring 2009 Crystal Studded Sandals Knockoffs)

Aldo “SMEAL” Studded Sandalsamazon
($64.98, Aldo)

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UPDATE: This post has been updated on February 15, 2010. Scroll down to see the new add.

I loved Giuseppe Zanotti‘s Special Edition platforms sandals right from the start when I first spotted them on Heidi Klum’s feet back in April. They are so fierce & so incredibly high (I probably couldn’t even walk in these mega platforms, but still). These are truly some special heels! They originally retailed for $1.385 in black or gold. The gold version has since sold out, but the black one is now on sale for 30% less.

Giuseppe Zanotti Special Edition Crystal Strap Sandals in black

Giuseppe Zanotti Special Edition Crystal Strap Sandalscj
($970, LUISAVIAROMA)

Celebrities Love Giuseppe Zanotti

Heidi Klum, Eva Mendes and Eva Herzigova wearing Giuseppe Zanotti Special Edition Platform Sandals

Who wore Giuseppe Zanotti best?

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Nine West “Inquisat” Platform Sandals

UPDATE (02/15/2010): Nine West

Nine West "Inquisat" Platform Sandals in silver (Giuseppe Zanotti knockoffs)

Nine West “Inquisat” Platform Sandals
($129, Nine West)

Charlotte Russe Sequin Bondage Platforms

UPDATE (12/29/2009): Charlotte Russe has also their own Giuseppe Zanotti imitation.

Charlotte Russe Sequin Bondage Platforms in black (Giuseppe Zanotti Special Edition Crystal Strap knockoffs)

Charlotte Russe Sequin Bondage Platformscj
($42.99, Charlotte Russe)

Michael Antonio “Reza” Platform Sandals

UPDATE (12/29/2009): Here’s yet another Giuseppe Zanotti knockoff version by Michael Antonio. Available in 5 colors: black, silver, pewter, bronze and gold.

Michael Antonio "Reza" Platform Sandals in black (Giuseppe Zanotti Crystal Strap Special Edition knockoffs)

Michael Antonio “Reza” Platform Sandalsendless
($119.95, Endless)

Pelle Moda “Madeira” Platform Sandals

UPDATE (12/16/2009): Stumbled upon these high class knockoffs by Pelle Moda today. Available in black and gold.

Pelle Moda "Madeira" Open-toe Platform Sandals in black (Giuseppe Zanotti Special Edition Crystal knockoffs)

Pelle Moda “Madeira” Open-toe Platform Sandalsendless
($224.95, Endless)

Miss Me “Skyler-7″ Sandals

UPDATE (11/30/2009): Discovered yet another budget-friendly Giuseppe Zanotti alternative by Miss Me. Available in black, gold and brown.

Miss Me Skyler-7 Sandals in black (Giuseppe Zanotti Special Edition Crystal Strap knockoffs)

Miss Me “Skyler-7″ Sandalsendless
($49.95, Endless)

P.S.: Also available at LoveMyShoes and Shiekh Shoescj.

Pour La Victoire “Sienna” Strappy Sandals

UPDATE (11/30/2009): Found another Giuseppe Zanotti knockoff by Pour La Victoire which comes pretty close to the originals. Not quite a steal though. Available in black, navy and taupe.

Pour La Victoire "Sienna" Strappy Sandals in black (Giuseppe Zzanotti Special Edition Crystal Strap knockoffs)

Pour La Victoire “Sienna” Strappy Sandalsendless
($365.95, Endless)

Office “STRIPTEASE” Suede Sandals

British and European Zanotti lovers can now snap up their personal Giuseppe heels 4 less by purchasing these platform sandals coming from Office. The heels may be made of suede and they also don’t have as many straps as the originals, but they are still a great alternative for budget-savyy fashionistas. Available in black and taupe for £85.

Office Striptease Suede Platform Sandals (Giuseppe Zanotti Special Edition knockoffs)

Office STRIPTEASE Black Suede Sandalstd
(£85, Office)

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Hey guys! Just wanted to let you know that the awesome guys at Solestruck have restocked Jeffrey Campbell’s “MEL” Balmain knockoffs… AGAIN! They are sold out everywhere else, so if you are still lusting after Balmain’s crystal embellished studded sandals, you better act FAST and order now before they sell out… AGAIN! ;)

Jeffrey Campbell Mel Studded Sandal (Balmain Spring 2009 studded sandal knockoff)


($164.95, Solestruck.com)

UPDATE #1: Singer22 is now also offering the Jeffrey Campbell “Mel” studded sandals in black ($195).

UPDATE #2: Wanna save big time? Karmaloopicon has Jeffrey Campbell’s Mel back in stock and they are $150 only. If you want to save even more, enter promo code TWIZZLER to save 15% + free shipping (if the first promo code doesn’t work, try SAIL to get free shipping).

All UK and European based fashionistas can grab a pair of the Jeffrey Campbell rhinestone sandals at Bunnyhug who are selling them in either black or beige for £150. But you better hurry, there are only limited sizes left.

Looking for other Balmain knockoffs? Click HERE!

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