XOXO

Real vs. Steal – Giuseppe Zanotti for Balmain Buckled Booties

by Irina on November 24, 2011

UPDATE: This post has been updated on November 24, 2011. Scroll down to see the new add.

These buckled ankle boots were designed by shoe design genius Giuseppe Zanotti for the hottest brand in Fashionville right now, Balmain, for their Fall 2009 footwear range. I wasn’t really a fan of this collection until I saw these badass rocker booties. My only problem: finding the pocket change to afford these. Sigh!

Giuseppe Zanotti for Balmain Buckled Booties
($1.338, MyTheresa)

XOXO “Raven” Ankle Boots

UPDATE (11/24/2011): Just stumbled upon another very affordable buckled Balmain look-a-like by XOXO aka Wanted.

XOXO “Raven” Ankle Boots
($47.45, Shoebuy)

P.S.: Also available at Endless.

Charles Albert New 1733 Buckle Booties

UPDATE (09/08/2010): Just in time for fall I happened to stumble upon these buckled Balmain look-a-likes by Charles Albert. They have a canvas upper, but everything else is pretty much spot-on. Available in black, blue or white canvas.

Charles Albert New 1733 Buckle Booties
($39.95, Endless)

Carlos by Carlos Santana “Admit” Ankle Boots

UPDATE (07/22/2010): Carlos by Carlos Santana provides us with yet another fabulous Balmain alternative in form of this latticed zipper ankle boots. Available in black or camel leather.

Carlos by Carlos Santana “Admit” Ankle Boots
($89.75, Endless)

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

ZiGiny “Triumph” Booties

UPDATE (01/19/2010): If you want an upscale knockoff of the Balmain booties, try these ankle boots by ZiGiny. They are available in black leather, black and red suede.

ZiGiny “Triumph” Booties
($65.97, Endless)

Hypnotic “Roadtrip” Buckle Booties

UPDATE (01/03/2010): Surprise! Surprise! Yet another Balmain knockoff. This one’s by Hypnotic and the booties come in either black, grey or rust suede.

Hypnotic “Roadtrip” Buckle Booties
($39.95, Endless)

Wet Seal Multi Buckle Booties

UPDATE (12/10/2009): Found yet another Balmain alternative by Wet Seal. Click on the link below and navigate to the shoes section or enter style number “41597064” in the search field to find the Balmain inspired buckle booties on the website.

Wet Seal Multi Buckle Booties
Style #: 41597064
($36.50, Wet Seal)

Anne Michelle Savior 27 Strappy Booties

UPDATE: WHOA! Check out these amazing Balmain knockoffs by Anne Michelle. I LOVE these!

Anne Michelle Savior 27 Strappy Booties
($42, LuLu*s)

Report “Lyndon” Buckle Booties

Check out these fabulous Balmain knockoffs brought to you by Report! Aren’t they just gorgeous? They’re so close to the original buckle booties. You better act fast as I predict these are going to sell out very, very quickly.

Report “Lyndon” Buckle Booties
($86.90, NORDSTROM)

{ 2 comments }

Real vs. Steal – Isabel Marant Otway Studded Ankle Boots

by Irina on November 24, 2011

UPDATE: This post has been updated on November 24, 2011. Scroll down to see the new add.

I know summer is almost over when I find myself starting to look for shoes to wear in the fall. These studded ankle booties called “Otway” by Isabel Marant have been on my wish list for months now, but as with most of the things on my wish list, they are way out of my budget let alone the fact that they aren’t even out yet.

Isabel Marant Fall 2009 "Otway" Studded Ankle Booties

Isabel Marant Otway Studded Ankle Boots
(Price Unknown, SOLD OUT)

Celebrities Love Isabel Marant

Isabel Marant Fall 2009 Studded Ankle Booties in black suede

Sienna Miller & Lindsay Lohan wearing black suede Isabel Marant Fall 2009 studded ankle boots

Loading ...

Wanted “Quebec” Ankle Boots

UPDATE (11/24/2011): After more than 2 years since the last find I’ve found a new Otway look-a-like by Wanted. Currently on sale and available in either black or navy faux suede.

Wanted “Quebec” Ankle Boots
($43.99, Endless)

P.S.: Also available at Shoebuy.

ALDO “Zabrocki” Studded Ankle Booties

UPDATE (11/07/2009): Stumbled upon yet another great and affordable Isabel Marant Otway alternative by ALDO.

ALDO “Zabrocki” Studded Ankle Booties
($150, Amazon)

Rosegold “Halle” Studded Ankle Boots

UPDATE (10/05/2009): Look at this knockoff version by Rosegold and try to spot the difference between this one and the Isabel Marant boots. These booties are as close as you can get to the original.However, a knockoff this great comes at a price: $285. Yup, that’s pretty expensive, but probably still at least a few hundred dollars cheaper than the original. If you have the cash, why not spend it on these awesome knockoffs?

Rosegold “Halle” Studded Ankle Boots
($285, Singer22)

Jeffrey Campbell “Us” Studded Ankle Boots

Kudos to Jeffrey Campbell for always finding the right shoes to knock-off. Someone over there is doing his/her homework. Their “Us” studded booties are obviously a tribute to Isabel Marant’s booties. I just wish the heel would look more like the original. Available in black suede or black leather.

Jeffrey Campbell “Us” Studded Ankle Boots
($164.95, Solestruck)

Steve Madden “BLITZI” Ankle Boots

Steve Madden seems to have sniffed a trend here as well and decided to make their own interpretation of the ankle booties. The heel of their booties is higher and brown instead of black, but everything else is pretty much identical. Comes also in brown suede.

Steve Madden “BLITZI” Ankle Boots
($189.95, Steve Madden)

{ 4 comments }

Real vs. Steal – Prada Studded T-Strap Sandals

by Irina on November 23, 2011

UPDATE: This post has been updated on November 23, 2011. Scroll down to see the new add.

I’ve been really loving Prada shoes as of late. Their footwear range for Spring and Fall 2009 was truly exceptional and just when I was starting to understand the appeal of Prada I was beyond disappointed to see lucite shoes return from fashion hell onto Prada’s Spring 2010 runway. Damn you, Miuccia Prada! I’m on a fashion rollercoaster with your fashion house. I do appreciate these studded t-strap sandals however also known as Ashley Olsen‘s studded obsession.

Prada Studded T-Strap Sandals in black

Prada Studded T-Strap Sandals
($729, SOLD OUT)

Ashley Olsen Loves Prada

Ashley Olsen wearing black Prada Studded T-Strap Sandals

C Label Fabr-5 Platform Pumps

UPDATE (11/23/2011): And here’s another Prada alternative though more of an inspired one, coming from C Label. Available in taupe, black and tan faux leather.

C Label Fabr-5 Platform Pumps
($48.95, Endless)

Fergie “Jilted” Studded T-Strap Sandals

UPDATE (09/30/2011): Found another Prada alternative by Fergie though their version has a few noticeable differences to make the copycat job less obvious. Available in black or tan leather.

Fergie “Jilted” Studded T-Strap Sandals
($89.95, Endless)

P.S.: Also available at Shoes.com, Famous Footwear & FergieShoes.

Paris Hilton “Bling” T-Strap Sandals

UPDATE (07/05/2010): And here’s yet another designer knockoff shoe from Paris Hilton. These come in black, white & pewter.

Paris Hilton “Bling” T-Strap Sandals
($98.99, Heels.com)

XOXO “Lola” T-Strap Sandals

UPDATE (04/04/2010): Stumbled upon another Prada knockoff by XOXO. The hardware is silver instead of gold and it’s missing a few details, but overall it’s a great steal version. Available in black, black patent, grey and natural.

XOXO “Lola” T-Strap Sandals
($52.49, Endless)

ALDO “Hilado” T-Strap Sandals

UPDATE (04/04/2010): These ALDO heels might have a few extra straps, but the inspiration behind these is still very noticeable. Available in black or bone.

ALDO “Hilado” T-Strap Sandals
($44.98, Amazon)

Michael Antonio “Tiff” T-Strap Sandals

If you can’t afford the real deal, Michael Antonio has an amazingly identical alternative for a lot, lot less. His t-strap sandals look just like the studded Prada heels except these come without the steep designer price. Available in either black, red or purple.

Michael Antonio “Tiff” T-Strap Sandals
($48.97, Endless)

{ 0 comments }

Real vs. Steal – Prada Studded Cross Strap Platform Sandals

by Vahni on September 9, 2010

UPDATE: This post has been updated on September 09, 2010. Scroll down to see the new add.

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

Carey Mulligan & Anna Dello Russo wearing black suede Prada Studded Cross Strap Platform Sandals

Loading ...

XOXO “Hollywood” Platform Sandals

UPDATE (09/09/2010): And here’s the first suede Prada look-a-like by XOXO. It comes in either black or blue faux suede.

XOXO “Hollywood” Platform Sandals
($79.99, Endless)

Type Z “Neva” Studded Sandals

UPDATE (07/21/2010): Found another absolutely fabulous Prada look-a-like by Type Z. Available in black or silver.

Type Z “Neva” Studded Sandals
($100, Zappos)

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
($64.88, Endless)