Most New York people are shoe people, large in part due to the fact that we’re constantly commuting all day long. Naturally, as fashion editors, the Who What Wear team has collected their fair share of designer shoes over the years to supplement our growing wardrobes. While it’s quite easy to justify investing in a great coat or timeless bag, convincing yourself to spend hundreds of dollars on a pair of shoes that will see New York City’s worst— the bottom of a 2.A.M. subway car— is a hard pill to swallow. Thankfully with plenty of brands on the market, there’s plenty of affordable options that may just satisfy your needs in lieu of spending $1500 on a pair of boots.
Below, browse all of the designer shoes our editors are thinking about taking the plunge on—and the affordable options that are nearly as good at a fraction of the cost.
“I’m a total sucker for simple, chic footwear, something that The Row specializes in more than any other brand. Unfortunately, I haven’t exactly budgeted this month for $890 shoes, no matter how gorgeous they are. To maintain the same look without completely blowing through my monthly allowance, I’m eyeing these T-bar sandals from Mango.” —Eliza Huber, fashion editor
“It’s safe to say that Prada’s warped mary-jane pumps have permanently altered my brain chemistry. There’s something so satisfying about the contrast between the western stacked heel and an ultra-feminine shoe style like a mary-jane, but at $1320 a pop, it’s not so satisfying on my wallet. As much as I would love to own them, this pair from Charles & Keith—a mere fraction of the price—is doing a good job at filling the Prada-shaped hole in my heart. I bought them instead and have hardly looked back since. They’re just as comfortable as they are cool.” —Anna LaPlaca, fashion editor
‘I’ve been coming back to these Saint Laurent slingbacks every other day but the price keeps holding me back from actually adding to my cart. After a little research, I came across this Marc Fisher pair that might just do the trick without draining my shopping budget.” —Nicole Akhtarzad Eshaghpour, editor-at-large
“These ruched silver Khaite slingbacks are my springtime dream shoe, but leave it to Zara to create a wonderful alternative. They’re simpler than the Khaite pair but they’ll provide a similar trend-forward element to whatever outfits they’re paired with.” —Allyson Payer, senior fashion editor
“Alaïa definitely falls into the less duplicatable of designer brands (there’s so much intricate detail behind every design), so when I fell in love with its sculptural mules I didn’t expect to find something similar within my price range. Jeffrey Campbell’s version managed to nail the main elements of the Alaïa pair, but with a fun, modern twist of its own in an ankle strap and circle cut-out.” —Indya Brown, market editor
“Anyone who’s anyone knows my love for ballerina flats. Frankly, they’re the only thing I wear. And while I’ve shelled out an arm and a leg for not one, but two pairs of Miu Miu lace-up ballerinas, I can’t justify buying a third pair, even if they’re slightly different with a satin-finish and elastic strap. Maybe one day in the future I’ll pick them up, but for now, I’ll take the sub-$150 Mango option. They give the same shape without being extremely out of my price-range: a total win in my book.”
Next, 29 Pairs of Designer Shoes You’ll Actually Wear Over and Over
