Portrait

Some people actually did like those Acne shoes with the weirdly high vamp. I wasn't one of them. So it may come as no surprise that I'm equally appalled by this Asos attempt to do something similar. It's not done well enough to count as an actual knockoff, but similar enough to ring a bell. In my head at least.

They replaced the Thai silk by suede and mixed in some stripes, but that shape is truly gruesome. Yet Asos seemed to think we needed this shoe in not just one, but two colour ways.

Why? And more importantly: why would anyone spend €121 on such a catastrophe??!

Awwsome

Well well, I wonder where Steve Madden got this idea... The master imitator does it yet again. I often recognize some Louboutin in his designs. For example, who can deny that this one is basically the Bianca pump?
Obviously the real deal is much nicer, without the grainy glitter underneath the studs (overkill alert), but if you don't want to shell out the hard cash, you can get these for $150 instead.

Prop in metallic

Do you know those infamous striped platforms by Charlotte Olympia? Because I sure do, as I've been lusting after them since forever. When I saw these Asos pumps, I was immediately reminded of those beauties. In fact, I think this shoe is a real beauty in itself as well.
Granted, the shape is somewhat different without that signature platform the Olympias have, but for €64 you can't have it all. You'd still get a glamorous shoe that can easily be dressed up with a cocktail dress or down with skinny jeans. These are definitely going on my wishlist!

Shoeper Shoesday: Grey knots

Tuesday is Shoeper Shoesday, and hence I'm showing you what's on my feet: these grey knotted peep toes from New Look. I've had them quite a few years, but because of the Belgian weather (suede!) and the wide fit (which I didn't really need) these don't get worn that often. But I still love them for the same reason as why I bought them: they're similar to Louboutin's Greissimo, but without the platform. I'm planning on taking some outfit photos for the shoe challenge later today, so you'll probably see them pop up again somewhere this week.

A hint of McQueen

McQueen is known for its signature skull, but being designer, the brand is also rather expensive. If you can settle for just "a hint" of McQueen, I can certainly recommend these simple black pumps from New Look. Not too simple though, the little bejeweled skulls on the toe lend these a certain je ne sais quoi. And unlike a real deal, these will only set you back £28.

Studded trim

Alert the fashion police, we have found an imposter! Back in May I showed you Dauphine, a beautiful Sam Edelman flat, and complained about the hefty price tag attached. And now these Blink shoes show up, completely identical apart from the colour switch.

While the Sam Edelmans were nude with black accents, these are black with nude accents. It's a bit like looking at a photo negative. Don't believe me? Look!

Good news though, is that these will only set you back £55 (€70), as opposed to the original €126.

Primrose

Not quite as nicely executed as the Kandee original, but I kind of dig these Asos pumps. I love the little Daisy appliqués (deuh), but it could have done with a higher heel.

Then again, if you're not into sky high stilettos like I am, these might just be your cup of tea! At €68, they're a lot cheaper as well, so they may be a great alternative.

All fired up

Remember that awesome Prada collection for Spring 2012 with the vintage cars-inspired shoes? Well, you won't have to spend thousands of dollars/pounds/euros for a similar look. Enter these wedges from Modcloth, who emit a similar vibe for a lot less cash. Only $50 to be precise.

I love the little flames in the back (it must look like you're walking really really fast in these) and the detail on the toe isn't bad either. In fact, I rather love it.

Also right up my alley? The colours of course!

Paisley

If you are in love with Steve Madden's Beasst platforms as much as I do, and you don't want to shell out €99 for them (and you are lucky enough to be American and have access to Target), here's a more budget-friendly alternative for you. For only $30 you can get these babies in pink, black, coral, gold or with a print. Or, since they're so cheap, you can get them all!

Sensuous

At first I thought these might make a good budget alternative to Louboutin's studded Pigalles. But then I noticed the studs. In closeup, they appear to be the exact same shade as the uppers, which gives the shoe a bit of a "diseased" look, like they're suffering from a weirdly uniform and probably painful skin rash or something.

So I decided not to spend my $49 on them.

Casandra

On a budget, but in love with that trademark Charlotte Olympia platform? Don't fret anymore, because you can get the look for only £55! These Blink platforms may not cost an arm and a leg, but I'm sure they'll make you feel like a million bucks anyway! Actually, I've been contemplating an order with Nelly for a while now, I just might have to get these...

I personally prefer the touch of gold on the first pair, but these more understated black ones are definitely stunning as well. After all, a girl can't have too many black shoes...

Paris

Now these look positively lethal, don't they? Even though I'm a huge fan of studs, these stilettos may be taking it a bit too far with the studs on the sole. For only £75, these sure do stand out in a crowd. Lundberg seem to have taken the concept of Louboutin's Asteroid a little bit further still, by adding the metal pin heel and the studs at the bottom. Come to think of it, those actually look a little bit like teeth. I would have liked these shoes better without them.

I'm pretty sure any man would want to stay on your good side, as long as you were wearing these...

Lassie

In the mood for some Louboutin for Summer, but no funds to get any redsoled babies on your feet right now? Maybe you can try this great alternative from Topshop.

Very similar to Louboutin's Super Dombasle (on top) but in a neutral nude, and at only a fraction of the cost: £55 versus £345. Not quite as striking and with a stacked heal instead of a cork one, but still a good deal if you ask me.

Prissmt

Remember those Sam Edelman flats I've been obsessing over? Well, behold Steve Madden's knock-off. These have rhinestones instead of studs, and they miss the overall luxury feel that the originals exude. Nonetheless, these are still quite expensive, given the poor execution. If you can look past that, spend your €73 here.

Fuchsia in Winter 2.0

Remember those hot pink Alexander McQueen ankle boots? And the Kandee (kind of) lookalikes I showed you? Well, I have found a better (and cheaper!) match for those of you in dire need of some fuchsia. I guess we can still count on Steve Madden to make a knock-off of any shoes that sell. There are still certainties in life.
They're real suede, and they'll set you back €160. There's also a black version, but where's the use in that, right?

On my feet: China shoes

I still have some outfit pictures that I need to upload, but in the meantime I thought I'd give you a quick peek of what is on my feet today: my Chinese shoes! My best friend brought these home for me as a souvenir and it's incredible how well she knows me, as they are a) my size and b) totally what I'd buy myself! I love the pretend Louboutin soles and the little touch of leopard on an otherwise simple shoe.

Check out the Shoeperchallenge post here.

A certain vibe

If you like the wedge designs of Terry de Havilland, with their distinctive toe shape, you might also like these. Lucky for you then, these are a lot cheaper! I saw some similarities, and I love the baby pink and burgundy suede against the black. I like them personally, but not enough to buy them myself. If you can't control yourself though, you can order them from Modcloth. They won't set you back more than $38.

Studded lookalikes

 

Love these Christian Louboutin Alti 160 pumps, just like I do? Don't have $1495 lying around gathering dust, just like I don't? Well, I feel your pain, but I do have an alternative solution on hand.

See a lot of differences? Because I don't. Just a few:
- Obviously the sole: the Louboutins feature their trademark red soles, the Kandee Diamonds flaunt glittery silver ones.
- The uppers are crackled silver rather than the shiny mirror-like silver from the Louboutins.
- The Louboutins have more studs, and are more 'lined up'.
- The Kandee Diamonds have a hidden platform, as opposed to the visible platform on the Louboutins, which is slightly smaller as well. If I had to make a wager, I'd probably say the Kandees are going to be a little easier to walk in.
- The price! $1138 to be exact. At £230 ($357) the Kandee Diamonds aren't exactly cheap, but they're still a lot cheaper than the original.

*edit* Get 25% off on your Kandee purchases with the code SECRETSANTA, until midnight tonight!

Designer inspiration

Remember those purple banana boots that I've been drooling over and anxiously checking the Topshop site for ever since I laid eyes on them? (I still haven't spotted them btw, I'm beginning to worry that it's just a ploy to make me go mad) Well, these Walter Steiger curvy heels seem to have been the inspiration for them. And I wish that I could get these as will, just because they're purple!
The bad news though? (there's always bad news, isn't there?) Even on sale these babies are still $449... If you're happy with an ever so slightly chunkier heel and a dark green, maroon or black upper, you're better off getting them at Topshop (£90). If only they'd stock the purple boot...

Fuchsia in Winter

Can you believe these fuchsia boots? They're Alexander McQueen, and they're to die for. They follow my formula of succes to the T: simple, pretty shape, clean lines, sky high heel and a popping colour!

Prrrretty! But, also expensive: €670. What did you expect? They are McQueen after all. Maybe these Pink Punch boots by Kandee can be a cheaper alternative...

These spikey beasts can be tamed for £180/€210.