If you’re into high fashion but don’t have enough cash for the flash, you’re in luck. From flats and sneakers to boots and stilettos (not to mention sandals), you can head out in style with amazingly convincing look-alikes of the latest trends in footwear — all for less than $100.
THE LOOK: BALENCIAGA TRIPLE S
Price: $895 | Buy them at Saks Fifth Avenue The “chunky” look popularized by the Balenciaga Triple S continues to dominate the world of high-end men’s running shoes. At Saks Fifth Avenue, it commands a cool price of $895.
FOR LESS: SKECHERS TRAIT
Price: $46.96 | Buy them at Sears The Skechers Trait gives you the chunky look of the Triple S — along with cooling mesh, cushioned insoles, and a padded collar. Memory foam insoles add comfort.
THE LOOK: CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN BIANCA PLATFORM PUMPS
Price: $875 | Buy them at Bergdorf Goodman If you’re not sure whether the massive platform near-vertical pumps perfected by Christian Louboutin are still in vogue, check out the price tags that are as steep as the heels. The Bianca from Louboutin defines the look, which is neutral but noticeable.
FOR LESS: CHINESE LAUNDRY WOW PLATFORM PUMPS
Price: $39.98 | Buy them at DSW Thanks to Chinese Laundry, you can get the platform and the stiletto heel of the vaunted Bianca with a few differences. You’ll have to forgo the signature Louboutin red sole, but you can plunk down two $20 bills and leave the store in style.
THE LOOK: ALEXANDER WANG STRETCH MESH CADEN HEELS
Price: $697 | Buy them at Forward When Alexander Wang mesh high heel boots hit the runway this year, they became one of 2018’s biggest must-haves. The four-inch leather heel is a surprising counterpoint to the stretch mesh of the upper. Consider yourself lucky to score them for inside $700 — that’s a markdown from the original $995.
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FOR LESS: POINTED MESH ANKLE BOOTS
Price: $27.92 | Buy them at Forever21 No one who’s looking closely would mistake these for a pair of Alexander Wang originals, but you will get the mesh upper look for less than $30. The upper is more sheer than fishnet, and synthetic material largely replaces high-end leather, but the price is right.
THE LOOK: CHANEL CLEAR PVC KNEE BOOTS
Price: $1,350 | Buy them at Chanel When Chanel unveiled its PVC thigh-high transparent knee boot on the runway in 2018, Vogue raved it was the “it” boot of the spring/summer 2018 season. Designed by Karl Lagerfeld, the see-through boots were so chic that they were displayed by the year’s breakout catwalk star, Kaia Gerber.
FOR LESS: CLEAR THE WAY THIGH-HIGH POINTY BOOTS
Price: $32.75 | Buy them at GoJANE You don’t have to write a check with a comma in it for a thigh-high boot. These sexy kicks have the ’60s-era thigh-high look in the same material — see-through PVC.
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THE LOOK: GUCCI FLASHTREK
Price: $1,056 | Buy them at MatchesFashion A souped-up version of hiking shoes called trekking boots were originally designed to be durable, light, and comfortable for serious hikers. When Gucci released its Flashtrek model, however, trekking boots became a fashion statement for the refined but rugged man.
FOR LESS: COLUMBIA GRANITE RIDGE
Price: $79.95 | Buy them at Kohl’s Even if you’re not well-heeled enough to pony up for the designer version, you can get the look for less than $70 with a trip to Kohl’s. These hiking boots from Columbia let you rock the Gucci-inspired style, but they’re also functional, thanks to features like a padded footbed and a Techlight midsole.
THE LOOK: LOUIS VUITTON LV ARCHLIGHT SNEAKERS
Price: $1,090 | Buy them at Louis Vuitton Louis Vuitton put the Archlight style on the map when it unveiled a new, futuristic sneaker with an oversized tongue and its now-trademark wave arch. The company touted the sneaker’s irresistible “delicate, feminine touch.”
FOR LESS: LEATHER TRAINERS
Price: $51.26 | Buy them at DHGate For less than $60, you can rock sneakers with a swooping arch, and this style is available in both men’s and women’s sizes in seven different styles and colors. You’ll get the same bold style that made the Vuitton version one of the hottest items of the season.
THE LOOK: CHANEL SLINGBACKS
Price: $950 | Buy them at Chanel Thanks to Chanel, the slingback is one of the hottest shoes currently found on feet across the world. The luxury brand uses crumpled lambskin and calfskin to craft its masterpiece — but you’d better be prepared to pay crumpled lambskin prices.
FOR LESS: KAITLYN PAN SLINGBACKS
Price: $89.99 | Buy them at Amazon Go off-brand with with a pair of slingbacks from Kaitlyn Pan for less than $90. You’ll still own the trend at a fraction of the price. The shoes have earned a 4.1 stars out of 5 on Amazon.
THE LOOK: GIVENCHY PEEP-TOE BOOTS
Price: $2,096.50 | Buy them at Net-a-Porter Over-the-knee peep-toe boots are so hot that a pair from the likes of Givenchy will run you more than $2,000. You can thank Kim Kardashian-West and her husband Kanye for the look’s raging popularity and heavy price tag.
FOR LESS: CIRCLE CHUNKY HEEL LYCRA
Price: $19.99 | Buy them at AMIClubwear Kim-and-Kanye-induced fever aside, you can score a pair of peep-toe boots for about about 125 times less than the Givenchy asking price. The smooth finish on these boots ensures comfort and the stitch detailing gives a luxurious trim.
THE LOOK: CHLOE SUSANNA
Price: $1,380 | Buy them at Farfetch Chloe set the gold standard of gold-on-black Parisian ankle boots with its three-strapped Susanna model. It’s embellished with elegant gold studs, an embossed insole, and a full leather lining — but the price tag is higher than the cost of a coach flight to France.
FOR LESS: COMFITY STUDDED ANKLE BOOTS
Price: $87.89 | Buy them at Amazon A pair of ankle boots from Comfity can let you own the rebellious but romantic Parisian look made famous by Chloe for less than $90. Animal-friendly fans will appreciate the vegan construction.
THE LOOK: CHLOE WEDGE ESPADRILLES
Price: $660 | Buy them at Saks Fifth Avenue Chloe lays claim to what is arguably the most celebrated pair of wedges on the market. The scalloped trim is cute, and the suede upper adds elegance.
FOR LESS: STEVE MADDEN APOLO ESPADRILLE WEDGE
Price: $59.99 | Buy them at DSW If you love the Chloe look but not the $660 price tag, score a lookalike of the hottest espadrilles in town. Steve Madden makes a similar model that retails for less than $60. Like the Chloe version, it’s got an open toe, an adjustable ankle strap, and it’s cut from quality suede.
THE LOOK: TIMBERLAND WORK BOOTS
Price: $190 | Buy them at Timberland.com Timberland designed its classic six-inch waterproof work boot 40 years ago, and it still epitomizes timeless blue-collar style. They’re made well, insulated against the elements, and at nearly two pounds per boot, they’re built to last — but they’ve never been cheap.
FOR LESS: TEXAS STEER WORK BOOTS
Price: $37.99 | Buy them at KMart These Texas Steer nubuck work boots may not sport the technology of Timberland work boots, but at least they look the part. These soft-toed safety boots have a rubber outsole and superior resistance to oil. They’re built for comfort and style at a quarter of the price of Timberlands.
THE LOOK: FRYE LILA ZIP SHORT
Price: $328 | Buy them at Frye.com The polished leather, five-inch bootie by Frye stands out — and commands a high retail price — largely for the trademark diagonal zipper. It’s a distinct look at a very distinct price point.
FOR LESS: UNIVERSAL THREAT CRISSY ANKLE BOOTIES
Price: $37.99 | Buy them at Target The low-cut boot with a diagonal zipper is on-trend, and the look can be bought for less than $40. These block-heeled booties could easily pass for the suede or polished Italian leather that the world associates with Frye, but are constructed with man made materials.
THE LOOK: DR. MARTENS 101 SMOOTH
Price: $135 | Buy them at drmartens.com Generations of girls and women have been unleashing their inner rocker chicks by wrapping their feet in wild, rebellious, and undeniably punk Docs — and the classic boot is a true original. With that reputation and history, however, comes a decidedly unpunk three-digit price tag.
FOR LESS: H&M COMBAT BOOTS
Price: $34.99 | Buy them at H&M At H&M, find a pair of combat boots that have the Dr. Martens look. The chunky combat boots sport similar laces but a man made upper.
THE LOOK: UGG ABREE II BOOT
Price: $295 | Buy them at ugg.com Plush and cozy, the Abree II is tall, waterproof, lined with Mouton sheepskin, and bound with suede. The boots are comfy and versatile — and they wouldn’t be Uggs if they weren’t expensive.
FOR LESS: BEARPAW EMMA BOOT
Price: $34.03 | Buy them at Amazon Rated 4.5 out of five stars from more than 3,300 Amazon reviews, these Bearpaw Ugg look alikes are convincing not just in looks, but in features and materials. They’re also made from sheepskin, as well as cow suede, and like the original they stand nearly one foot tall.
THE LOOK: L.L. BEAN DUCK BOOTS
Price: $155 | Buy them at L.L. Bean L.L. Bean duck boots have been keeping feet cozy yet fashionable in winter since 1912. A supportive steel shank and rubber chain-tread bottom ensure traction, while Thinsulate keeps feet warm.
FOR LESS: STEVE MADDEN TORRENT
Price: $24.99 | Buy them at SteveMadden.com For about a quarter of what a pair of duck boots will run you, you can get the look (if not the quality) of a classic duck boot with a pair of Torrent boots by Steve Madden. Rubberized to repel the worst of winter, these lookalikes are lined with fleece for insulation.
