Does this sound familiar? You see something and are really turned off by it first, but then, the more you look at it, the more it grows on you until you become obsessed with it? That happens to me quite often I must admit. In almost every case it’s a shoe which I first hate, then like and finally LOVE! The last time this happened to me was with these lace-up ankle boots by Ann Demeulemeester.
Ann Demeulemeester Leather Open-Front Lace-Up Ankle Boots, $860 || S|Sense
Also available at Net-A-Porter, Totokaelo, Forward by Elyse Walker, Saks Fifth Avenue
, Farfetch
, Vestiaire Collective & The RealReal.
When I first saw them, I thought they were way too clunky for a woman’s feet. But I couldn’t help but be fascinated by them, so I decided to give them another chance and googled them. Sometimes, in order to be able to see a shoe’s full potential, you have to see it on a person’s feet. That was definitely the case with the Ann Demeulemeester lace-up boots. The moment I saw the models flaunting them in a mini dress, I was irrevocably in LOVE!
I couldn’t find any celebrities rocking these beauties, but fashion editors and style bloggers like Jane of Sea of Shoes happen to love them as much as me.
Chinese Laundry “Beckie” Lace-Up Peep-Toe Booties
Update (08/30/2017): Check out these lovely lace up heels by Chinese Laundry! They’d also be a great and budget-friendly alternative to the pricey Ann D designer boot version above. On sale for $55.99 and available in black, tan and silver metallic. Steal deal alert!
Chinese Laundry “Beckie” Lace-Up Peep-Toe Booties
Also available at 6pm, Chinese Laundry & Tobi.
H&M Shoes with Open Lacing
Update (08/30/2017): Also spotted these budget-friendly lace-up heels at H&M which would be a decent Ann D. look for less alternative. Price: $39.99.
H&M Shoes with Open Lacing, $39.99 || H&M
Lipstik “Tradgic” Lace Up Open-Toe Booties
Update (04/19/2016): Discovered another gorgeous and spot-on Ann Demeulemeester look-alike today! These lace-up open-toed booties by Lipstik come in tan and black faux leather and cost $99.95 AUD.
Lipstik “Tradgic” Lace Up Open-Toe Booties, $99.95 AUD || The Iconic
Steve Madden “Temptng” Lace Up Open Toe Booties
Update (01/29/2016): Spotted these fab and super similar lace up boots by Steve Madden which come in black or taupe leather and cost $64.99 (sale price!).
Steve Madden “Temptng” Lace Up Open Toe Booties
Also available at 6pm, Dune London, Tobi, Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack & Selfridges.
Yoki “Brie” Lace-Up Open-Toe Booties
Update (01/29/2016): Here’s a faux suede Ann D. look-alike version by Yoki which comes in either black or beige for $14.99.
Yoki “Brie” Lace-Up Open-Toe Booties, $14.99 || Shiekh
Also available at CiCi Hot & Amazon
Kendall + Kylie “Ginny” Lace Up Open Toe Booties
Update (01/29/2016): And if you’ve ever hoped to find a stiletto version of the Ann Demeulemeester booties, check out these fab new lace-up boots by Kendall + Kylie which are available in black and grey taupe suede for $143.28 (sale price!).
Kendall + Kylie “Ginny” Lace Up Open Toe Booties, $143.28 || Bloomingdale’s
Also available at Revolve, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom
, Shopbop
& Office.
Breckelle’s Tina-15 Open-Toe Lace-Up Booties
Update (11/19/2015): Discovered this fab and super budget-friendly Ann Demeulemeester dupes by Breckelle’s today! They’re available in black, white, beige and tan faux leather and can be yours for a little over $30! Steal deal alert!
Breckelle’s Tina-15 Open-Toe Lace-Up Booties
P.S.: Also available at ZooShoo, eBay
& Amazon #2
Therapy “Natalee” Peep-Toe Lace-Up Booties
Update (11/19/2015): Another fab alternative are these lace-up booties by Therapy which cost $63.96 AUD and look a lot like the real deal.
Therapy “Natalee” Peep-Toe Lace-Up Booties, $63.96 AUD || StyleTread
Mollini “Jofan” Open-Toe Lace-Up Ankle Boots
Update (08/14/2015): Well, hello there best Ann Demeulemeester dupes EVER! Seriously, just how awesome and spot-on are these open-toe lace-up boots by Mollini?! I love ’em! They’re not cheap, but so close to the real deal. Available in either black, tan or cream white.
Mollini “Jofan” Open-Toe Lace-Up Ankle Boots, $139.97 AUD || StyleTread
Also available at The Iconic & Wanted Shoes.
Tony Bianco “Kinston” Peep-Toe Lace-Up Boots
Update (08/07/2015): I don’t think I’ve been so excited about finding an Ann Demeulemeester dupe since JC’s Corset Heels in 2009. Now isn’t the “Kinston” by Tony Bianco an awesome alternative to the real Ann D. boots above or what? So spot-on! I love this one!
Tony Bianco “Kinston” Peep-Toe Lace-Up Boots, $120 AUD || Tony Bianco
Tony Bianco “Mixa” Peep-Toe Lace-Up Boots
Update (08/07/2015): Apparently, one Ann D. dupe is not enough, so Tony Bianco decided to do another one. Enter “Mixa”.
Tony Bianco “Mixa” Peep-Toe Lace-Up Boots, $219.95 AUD || Tony Bianco
Forever 21 Lace-Up Over-The-Knee Boots
Update (07/28/2015): Great news! Forever 21‘s Ann Demeulemeester dupes are now available in an OTK boot version. So fab, right?
Forever 21 Lace-Up Over-The-Knee Boots, $44.90 || Forever 21
Also available at Forever 21 (Canada), Forever 21 (UK) & Forever 21 (EU).
Forever 21 Lace-Up Peep-Toe Booties
Update (06/27/2015): RESTOCK ALERT! Now look at these lovely lace-up booties booties which have finally been restocked at Forever 21 just recently. So cool, right? They totally reminded me of the Ann Demeulemeester booties above. They’re available in either black, brown or olive (my personal fave!). But better be fast this time, these shoes are flying off the shelves!
Forever 21 Lace-Up Peep-Toe Booties, $32.90 || Forever 21
Also available at Forever 21 (Canada), Forever 21 (UK) & Forever 21 (EU).
Pink Inc “Tide” Peep-Toe Lace-Up Booties
Update (05/22/2015): Now look at these fabulous Ann D. inspired Pink Inc lace-up booties! Love, love, love! I’m usually not a big fan of white shoes, but these white booties here are kinda hot! Available in white and black leather and black suede for $119.95 AUD.
Pink Inc “Tide” Peep-Toe Lace-Up Booties, $119.95 AUD || The Iconic
Mollini “Jimmy” Perforated Lace-Up Open-Toe Booties
Update (05/22/2015): Also spotted these perforated Ann Demeulemeester alternatives by Mollini today. Available in tan, black and white leather.
Mollini “Jimmy” Perforated Lace-Up Open-Toe Booties, $139.97 AUD || StyleTread
Forever 21 Perforated Lace-Up Peep Toe Booties
Update (05/22/2015): Speaking of perforated lace-up booties: here’s another version by Forever 21. Available in black, brown and khaki for a steal price of $34.90!
Forever 21 Perforated Lace-Up Peep Toe Booties, $34.90 || Forever 21
Jeffrey Campbell “Cors” Lace-Up Peep-Toe Booties
Update (07/17/2014): Jeffrey Campbell just won’t let this Ann Demeulemeester boot go. And here we go again with yet another dupe! Available in black, brown and wine red suede.
Jeffrey Campbell “Cors” Lace-Up Peep-Toe Booties, $99 || Shopbop
Also available at Jildor, Nordstrom, Amazon
, Ashbury Skies & Anthropologie.
Jeffrey Campbell “Meriwidow” Lace-Up Boots
Update (01/30/2014): Here’s yet another Ann Demeulemeester bootie dupe coming from Jeffrey Campbell. This one’s a little bulkier than the others and comes in either black or ivory leather.
Jeffrey Campbell “Meriwidow” Lace-Up Boots, $169.95 || Ashbury Skies
Jeffrey Campbell “Contessa” Lace-Up Open-Toe Boots
Update (01/30/2014): And one more dupe by Jeffrey Campbell to add to the list. How do you like this one?
Jeffrey Campbell “Contessa” Lace-Up Open-Toe Boots, $208 || Revolve
Steven by Steve Madden “SCANDLUS” Lace-Up Open-Toe Booties
Update (09/18/2013): Et voilà, I also discovered these open-toe booties by Steven by Steve Madden which would be great alternatives to the Ann D. boots. Available in black and tan leather.
Steven by Steve Madden “SCANDLUS” Lace-Up Open-Toe Booties
Elizabeth and James “Terri” Lace-Up Ankle Boots
Update (09/18/2013): I know these Elizabeth and James boots aren’t a perfect dupe match and at $475 not exactly budget-friendly, but if you’re looking for an Ann D. inspired closed-toe version these here are probably your best bet at the moment.
Elizabeth and James “Terri” Lace-Up Ankle Boots
Jeffrey Campbell “Cardiac” Lace-Up Booties
Update (09/18/2013): And here’s yet another Ann Demeulemeester inspired lace up boot by Jeffrey Campbell! What do you think of it?
Jeffrey Campbell “Cardiac” Lace-Up Booties, $168 || Shopbop
Jeffrey Campbell + Free People Perspective Heels
Update (09/11/2013): Came across a tall boot version of the Jeffrey Campbell + Free People lace-up heels. Available in black or brown leather for $278! Absolutely love these boots, they’re so sexy!
Jeffrey Campbell + Free People Perspective Heels, $278 || Free People
Choies Peep toe Lace Up Sandal Boots
Update (08/11/2013): Seems like Ann Demeulemeester is “en vogue” again! Found another set of Ann D. Lace-Up Heel look-a-likes; this time at Choies. Also available in brown leather.
Choies Peep toe Lace Up Sandal Boots, $99.99 || Choies
Jeffrey Campbell + Free People Minimal Lace Up Heels
Update (07/16/2013): After almost 4 years Jeffrey Campbell re-released their highly coveted Ann Demeulemeester lace-up heels again exclusively for Free People. Availale in black, white, black and white, tan and grey.
Jeffrey Campbell + Free People Minimal Lace Up Heels, $178 || Free People
Jeffrey Campbell Corset Heels
Update (10/05/2009): More good news! Free People have finally restocked Jeffrey Campbell’s Ann Deumeulemeester knockoffs. Missed out on these the first time? Now is your chance to get hold of these cuties!
Sometimes I think everything Jeffrey Campbell does these days is copying other people’s work. Well, it may be unethical, but at least it allows us budget fashionistas to be fashionable without the hefty price tag. Look at these beautiful, almost identical knockoffs. Pretty amazing, huh? They sure are shamelessly expensive for knockoffs, but even priced at $198 they are about $700 les than the originals, so they can’t be TOO bad, right? All sizes are still available, but you better be fast as these knockoffs won’t stay for too long (they’re also exclusively sold at Free People, so if they are gone there, you won’t find them anywhere else).
Jeffrey Campbell Corset Heels, $198 || Free People
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