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Can cheap be chic?

By Lesley Kennedy, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published October 8, 2008 at 5:05 p.m.

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Poll

How much are you willing to spend on a pair of shoes?


Which cheap but trendy shoes pinch pennies, and which simply pinch?

Photo by Marie Griffin © The Rocky

Which cheap but trendy shoes pinch pennies, and which simply pinch?

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The weak economy and my shoe shopping addiction are at serious odds this season. My jeans may be Gap. My cardigan may be Forever 21. But my shoes remain Marc Jacobs, Manolo Blahnik and Prada.

In the past, I have snubbed the Paylesses, the Targets and the other cheap shoe stores of the world because, a) the shoes look, well, cheap and b) they really, really hurt my feet (hello, blisters!).

But in the name of penny pinching, I decided to give cheap shoes a try this season. Lucky for me, many inexpensive stores are upping their style meters, collaborating with high-end designers to bring their fashions to the masses.

So, my challenge: find trendy fall shoes and boots that price in at $50 or less to see which styles pinch pennies and which simply pinch.

Act fast!

Can't find these styles? Discount stores and retailers rotate designers and styles at a track star's pace, so don't be surprised if some of these shoes are already off shelves and Web sites. But there's always something new and cool coming soon. Up next? Sigerson Morrison for Target, below, launches for a limited run on Oct. 12 - look for bright metallic flats and studded pumps and booties from the renowned designers.

Before you order!

Looking for designer shoes or specific styles at discount stores? You'll probably need to order online through store Web sites. I often had trouble finding what I was looking for in physical stores. And buyer, beware! Nearly every shoe I ordered was too big - like, at least a half-size too big. And those sticky heel grip thingies do not tend to stay put. If the store offers free shipping and returns, you'd be wise to order a pair that's a half-size down, in addition to your normal size. Just return what doesn't work.

The patent spectator T-strap

Brand: Isaac Mizrahi for Target "Ameila"

Where: Target

Price: $32.99

Appearance: Menswear styles are in for fall, and these are a great way to be trendy, while still keeping a feminine feel. I think they're adorable and love the lower 2 1/2-inch heel.

Fit: I wore these to work with a pair of cropped pants and was proud to show them off. When I first put them on, I was sure my ankles would be ripped to shreds, but, surprisingly, the stiff shoe loosened up quickly.

Verdict: A keeper! I'll pair these with black tights and a pencil skirt as the weather chills.

The oxford shoe pump

Brand: Union Bay "Bridget"

Where: Delias.com

Price: $39.50

Appearance: This oxford shoe style was popular last fall, and remains trendy this season. I like the surprise of the gray color - it's still neutral, but not the usual black or brown.

Fit: The 3-inch stacked heel was no problem at all. I wore these to work, to pick up the kids, to the grocery store and even left them on while getting dinner ready. Like most of the cheap shoes, they, too, were a little big, but should fit nicely with tights or trouser socks. I do have to admit the slight platform made me trip - a lot. I'll have to practice walking.

Verdict: I predict I'll be wearing these with slacks or skirts regularly. They'd be cute with purple tights and a gray wool dress.

The girly pump

Brand: Lela Rose for Payless "Quincy Dorsay"

Where: Payless

Price: $35

Appearance: I was instantly drawn to this pump with it's delicate satin bow and perfect fall burnt orange color in a wool fabric. Don't look too closely, though. You can see the glue in spots.

Fit: Once I pried them out of my daughters' hands (they have taken turns clomping around the house in them since I brought the shoes home), I took them on a test drive to the office, pairing them with a denim pencil skirt. They were too big, so I had to use heel grippers, which didn't like sticking to the fabric heel. Normally, I shy away from heels this high (3 1/2-inches - I'm already 5 feet, 10 inches), but when I wasn't slipping out of them, I liked the way they looked and received lots of compliments. No blisters, but you wouldn't want to spend a day running errands in these puppies.

Verdict: If they were a half-size smaller, they'd be in rotation.

The pointy-toe kitten heel

Brand: American Eagle "Kash"

Where: Payless

Price: $22.99

Appearance: A basic black pointy-toe style, with cute pleating at the toe. Love the colorful floral pattern inside the shoe.

Fit: Kitten heels are the best. They're nice and low and easy to walk in, without being completely flat. These were actually really comfortable, with plenty of room at the toe. No pinching. I have worn these to work with both jeans and a skirt. I walked to lunch in them down the 16th Street Mall. I threw them on for a trip to a friend's house. No shoe pain at all.

Verdict: If they came in different colors, I'd snap up a rainbow's worth.

The metallic stiletto

Brand: Patricia Field for Payless "Heiress"

Where: Payless

Price: $35

Appearance: Carrie Bradshaw would wear these shoes. Super high (4 1/2-inches!), shiny, sexy and cool.

Fit: The ultra-high heel will make walking a challenge for those who don't normally wear heels, and even those who do wear them won't want to be walking very far. These are dinner-date shoes. Wear from your door to the car; your car to the restaurant; the restaurant to your car and remove immediately.

Verdict: Metallics are must-haves for fall and this gold pump from Field, the legendary Sex and the City stylist, should be snapped up by any woman who wears heels.

The tall slouchy boot

Brand: Forever 21 "Harlow"

Where: Forever 21

Price: $32.80

Appearance: The faux suede doesn't look quite as bad as I thought it would - thankfully, black is almost always forgiving. I usually like a sleeker style, but the slouch shape is trendy this season - even if my husband did ask me if I was going to a Flashdance audition.

Fit: I'm in love with the 1 1/2-inch heel. Totally comfy and walkable. Sometimes slip-on boots (with no zippers) are really hard to get on, but these were easy. And the slouch room makes it easy to tuck your jeans in - still trendy this season.

Verdict: I wouldn't wear them to Fashion Week, but they're just fine for a casual date in Denver.

The peep-toe shootie

Brand: Mossimo "Vergie"

Where: Target

Price: $29.99

Appearance: This is the shoe style of the season - a peep-toe "shootie" (part shoe/part bootie), that combines menswear, patent and romance all in one. Problem is, from afar, it looks cool, but up close the faux patent looks plastic. And the ribbon looks way cheap. My husband was embarrassed for me when I put them on. However, when I test drove them (paired with cropped jeans and a boyfriend cardigan), I got tons of compliments.

Fit: No blisters, but they came off the second I walked in the house. Blame the 3 1/2-inch heel.

Verdict: I'll probably keep them around to wear with long, wide-legged trousers and brightly colored socks (to peek out of the peep toe), but they'll definitely be at the back of the closet.

The bright Mary Jane flat

Brand: Alice + Olivia for Payless "Ludlow"

Where: Payless

Price: $34

Appearance: Flats remain key for fall, especially in a fun, bright shade, like this red. I love sweet Mary Janes, and the black accents toughen them up a bit. But I feel like they look a little too plastic.

Fit: I had these on my feet for less than 30 seconds before I knew they were going to cause trouble. I decided to be pre-emptive, and stuck blister pads to my heels. The pads saved my feet from actual blisters, but the vise-like grip against my heels hurt pretty much all day. This ain't supple leather we're dealing with.

Verdict: I've already given them away to a pal who wears the same size shoe. Maybe she'll have better luck.

The black bootie

Brand: Katy Kiro London

Where: Urban Outfitters

Price: $48

Appearance: "Now, those are cool," my husband, who deemed every other pair cheap, said. If you're gonna add one new pair of shoes to your wardrobe this fall, it should be a bootie. I like the cuff on this canvas style - it's edgy, but still chic. The bonus is this style works like a regular boot with jeans or slacks, but gives a funky, almost punk feel, when paired with bright tights and a skirt or dress.

Fit: The cone-shaped heel makes these sturdy, but they are pitched forward a bit. They were a tad roomy, but, like the others, should fit fine with thick tights or socks.

Verdict: Still undecided. I like the way they look when I'm sitting, but they feel a tad KISS with long pants.

The diva pump

Brand: Forever 21 "Salal"

Where: Forever 21

Price: $23.80

Appearance: I have to admit, the sky-high heels on these pumps had me completely intimidated - fearful, even. These are statement shoes. Like most of the faux patent styles, they tend to look too plastic for my taste, but from afar, they look dangerously sexy. And the purple color fits right in with the season's trends.

Fit: So, despite being scared, I crammed my feet in, stood up and burst out laughing. The shape calls for a severe arch of the foot - ouch! - and after wearing them in the house for less than five minutes, my toes already started to go numb. They never even made it out the door.

Verdict: They look great in my Goodwill donation pile.

Comments

  • October 10, 2008

    6:42 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    redwhiteandBLUE writes:

    Burlington Coat factory also has a variety of desiner shoes of all brands. Some comfortable, some not so comfy..but their prices are great especially for boots. Yes, Ross has a good variety. Good prices too. The thrift sores has brand new and clean,expensive for cheap. I don't go to PayLess when I can get
    better for cheap.