Let’s talk about designer footwear. If your budget doesn’t quite align with your high-design tastes, you might feel a pang of sadness when Shopstyle shows you those $1,200 Fendi boots or $6,000 Ralph Lauren pumps — like you’ve lost something that you never had. It’s OK; we’ve been there.
But did you know that you can actually snag said shoes for less than the retail price? It’s true. You actually don’t have to spend a small fortune to dress up your feet in something amazing.
If you have one foot in your Jack Purcells, ready to run out the door, hang on to that other shoe for a sec. We’re not sending you to a secret door on Rodeo Drive where the designer shoes are always on clearance. Sadly, such a place doesn’t exist.
We are sending you to a few select online spots where you can find what you need in the size and color of your choice. And if you find the shoes you’ve been dreaming of, you might need some clothes to match. In that case, see our fav places to snag discount designer clothing.
Where to Get Designer Shoes for Less
1. The Outnet: for a specific shoe
If you have a bit to spare in your shoe budget and your eye on a particular shoe, try the The Outnet. The site is a fashion junkie’s dream. It’s filled with cream-of-the-crop labels and everything is discounted.
Even if you aren’t chasing something specific, sort shoes by price and you just may find your cart filled with the things you didn’t realize you required. Iris & Ink espadrilles ($40, was $100), anyone?
2. thredUP: to pay less in general
Feeling fed up with the crazy prices of…oh, everything? Make some room for thredUP in your life. The digital thrift store is a veritable mecca of all things incredibly stylish.
Shopping secondhand does serious good for the planet — plus you’ll find yourself enrapt by the crazy-perfect selection from the likes of Kate Spade New York, Chanel, Lanvin, and these killer Yves Saint Laurent boots ($260.99, was $995).
3. NM Last Call: for a big selection of new designer shoes
You deserve to wear what you love — even if you can’t quite splurge without feeling serious buyer’s remorse. That describes the majority of us, which is why stores like NM Last Call are so important. The selection of designer footwear is spectacular. You can just as easily pick up a pair of dainty flats as a pair of chunky sneakers.
Feeling fierce? These Alexandre Birman Alice platform sandals ($199.50, was $795) are everything.
4. Poshmark: for shoe-spiration
You can search by brand, condition, size, color and price on Poshmark if you want — or you can just search for shoes. The trick here is to be open-minded, because you never quite know what you’re going to find.
If you’re dreaming of a pair of Manolo Blahnik flats or heels for under $100, for example, it’s not out of the question. Check these out ($75, was $425).
5. Century 21
You definitely don’t have to live in New York to enjoy the magic of Century 21 — although a visit to the lauded store at least once in a fashion lover’s lifetime is highly recommended. Here you’ll find an abundance of designer goods at fabulous prices, and plenty of pieces you probably didn’t think you could ever find within your price range.
Case in point: a pair of unexpectedly chic, leopard-toe loafers from Charlotte Olympia ($159.99, was $500).
6. Marshall’s/TJMaxx
We loooove us some Marshall’s and TJ Maxx: worthy designer deal hauls, and shoes are definitely part of the Marshall’s/TJMaxx experience. We love even more that we can shop these retailers online these days, but we’re a little bummed that we can’t search by designer (we know, this is some stipulation designers put on close-out merchandise, but really?).
That being said, shopping online or in-store, you’ll find a lot of ho-hum merchandise but persistent perusing can turn up pure gold. Like these Kenneth Cole Leather Platform Booties for $79.99 (as opposed to $225 MSRP).
Eighty bucks isn’t chump change in our budget world, but for sexy real leather Kenneth Cole’s? We’re so in.
7. eBay
This isn’t your mother’s eBay. It’s still one of the most popular clothing auction sites, of course, but it’s also a place where you can buy fab pieces directly from the sources, for less.
And we’re all about those individual listings. Like this Manolo Blahnik Animal Print Jitten Heel with a starting bid of $52.99. Yes, we know that’s not like WalMart cheap but these are MANOLO BLAHNIK. The Carrie Bradshaw in us just squealed a little.
8. Etsy.com
Etsy is so very hit-or-miss for designer shoes but it’s still worth a look for something truly unique (and often vintage chic). We don’t shop Etsy for specific designer shoes, but it’s worth a click-through if you’re looking for a designer piece that’s classic and possibly collector-worthy.
Since you’re generally purchasing from an individual or small shop, there’s the ability to ask questions or get more information about the pieces in question. Currently we’re scoping out these Vintage 80s Yves Saint Laurent Pumps for $42. Just beware of all the $13 Christian Louboutin stilettos — we’re pretty sure they’re knock offs. Shocking, we know.
9. Factory Outlets/Factory Outlet Websites
We all know by now that so-called factory outlet stores aren’t really true deal-and-steal locations. A better way to describe them is: regular, slightly cheaper stores with slightly less selection and occasionally poorer quality items.
But there are some deals to be had. And many designers now have factory outlets online (which appeals to our shopping-in-pajamas-on-any-national-holiday loving hearts).
Take BCBGMAXAZRIA for example: their factory outlet pages (the Final Cut) offer a number of items which are marginally deals, but this Dart Peep Toe Pump, for example, is on sale right now for $75, regular price $250.