In Their Closet

Real vs. Steal – Lanvin Cap Toe Ballet Flats

Juliana — Tue, 22 May 2012 18:00:13 +0000

Lanvin flats have a reputation for being the most comfortable, stylish and impeccably crafted of all ballerinas, and one of the best color combinations to invest in is tan and gold. They will instantly warm up your skin tone and add a little luxury to your basic skinny or bootcut jeans and tee. Throw on a pashmina scarf and a couple gold bangles and you’ll look effortlessly stylish! But great quality usually comes with an equally great price tag, so if you’re hooked, let us introduce you to a simply jaw-dropping option B. Scroll down and be amazed!

Lanvin Cap Toe Ballet Flats
($590, Barneys)

P.S.: Also available at LUISAVIAROMA, NORDSTROM & Pink Mascara.

Sam Edelman “Baxton” Ballet Flats

The well-known, yet reasonably affordable designer, Sam Edelman, has a beautiful alternative that looks just like the high-end style above. His flats are comfortable, well-made, and consistently up to par with the latest trends. You will wear this posh pair everywhere; and at $110, they are definitely a worthwhile investment that will take you all way into the Fall season.

Sam Edelman “Baxton” Ballet Flats
($110, Endless)

P.S.: Also available at 6pm, NORDSTROM, Bloomingdale’s & My-Wardrobe.

Real vs. Steal – Chloé Susan Studded Ankle Boots

Irina — Mon, 21 May 2012 20:00:20 +0000

If you are familiar with the fashion blogosphere I’m pretty sure you will all remember the studded Chloé ankle boots below as they’ve created quite a buzz among fashion bloggers in 2009. Even though they cost more than a grand, people bought them like crazy and the boots soon were sold out everywhere.

Chloé “Susan” Studded Ankle Boots
($1.235, MyTheresa)

P.S.: Also available at Farfetch, Saks, Barneys, NET-A-PORTER & NORDSTROM.

Chloé Pre-Fall 2008

The studded ankle boots were part of Chloé’s Pre-Fall 2008 collection and came in an array of colors like red, white, black and green (my personal favorite!).

Chloé Pre-Fall 2008

Kate Bosworth & Sienna Miller Love Chloé

Famous fashionistas Kate Bosworth and Sienna Miller both sported the studded ankle boots in red. Kate was literally obsessed with those boots and wore them whenever possible last year. And can we blame her? They are so cute and both women looked absolutely fabulous wearing them, didn’t they?

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GoJane Microstud Buckle Booties

UPDATE (05/21/2012): For all the budget-conscious Chloé fans out there, here’s a fab and steal-worthy Susan boot look-a-like by GoJane which comes in 4 different colors. Use promo code “GJSHIP60” to get free shipping on your $60+ order!

GoJane Microstud Buckle Booties
($49, GoJane)

Office “Nighthawk” Stud Booties

UPDATE (04/12/2012): Good news! Office’s “Nighthawk” boots are back in stock! But you better hurry, these shoes are flying off the shelves!

ITC reader Mat gave us a heads-up on these Chloé Susan boot look-a-like by Office. It sure looks like the identical sister of Office’s “Manic” boot which sold out a year ago or so. Available in black or brown.

Office “Nighthawk” Stud Booties
(£80, Office)

Office Manic Stud Strap Boots

UPDATE (05/19/2010): Office have just restocked their awesome, almost identical Chloé knockoffs for the 4th time and reduced the price by £15. If you missed out on these in the past, this is probably your last chance to get hold of these booties.

Office Manic Stud Strap Boots
(£85, Office)

Jeffrey Campbell “Starburst” Studded Booties

Free People always seems to get the best Jeffrey Campbell knockoffs. First they got the awesome Ann Deumeulemeester lace-up boots and now they sell knockoffs of the iconic Chloé studded ankle boots (Free People call this style “Northern Lights” while JC and other retailers named it “Starburst”). Don’t they look almost identical? The heel is a bit off, but the studs and buckles are pretty close to the original. The only downsides are that the Jeffrey Campbell studded booties don’t come in red and retail for not so affordable $198. But the boots are available in black, white and brown, so if you always wanted a budget-friendlier alternative, these Jeffrey Campbell knockoffs are probably your last and only chance as the Chloé booties are a couple of seasons old now.

Jeffrey Campbell “Starburst” Studded Booties
($149.95, Solestruck)

Deal of the Day – 3 Days Only! SAVE Up to $400 @ Shopbop!

Irina — Mon, 21 May 2012 17:00:28 +0000

HOT DEAL: Use promo code “BIGEVENT” at checkout to save up to $400 at Shopbop! Offer ends Wednesday, May 23, at 11:59 PM PT.

Shopbop’s BIG EVENT SALE for 3 Days ONLY: Save 20% on orders over $250! Promo Code: BIGEVENT

Real vs. Steal – Reed Krakoff Boxer Leather Tote

Roseanne — Mon, 21 May 2012 12:00:25 +0000

Every season that It handbag hits the market, making every head turn with its one-of-a-kind appearance. For instance, currently trending is the Reed Krakoff Boxer Leather Tote with its interesting “boxy” look, surprisingly not overwhelming to the eye. On the contrary, the mellow blend of beige, off-white, and yellow creates a modern yet classic vibe. Whether $1.090 is a justifiable amount to pay, however, is another discussion. For now, check out the alternative!

Reed Krakoff Boxer Leather Tote
($1.090, Neiman Marcus)

P.S.: Also available at Saks.

ALDO “Lakatos” Satchel

On the topic of handbags, I love this ALDO satchel. Signaling a similar vibe as its designer counterpart, I can say that this would be a handbag to purchase. I absolutely love the colors, which perfectly fit in with any wardrobe. In addition to the gleaming look, this satchel is priced at an affordable $55! Also, I’m not sure if it’s just me, but the less boxy shape and more defined structure hints a big of Hermès. What do you think?

ALDO “Lakatos” Satchel
($55, Amazon)

P.S.: Also available at Amazon.co.uk.

Real vs. Steal – Christian Louboutin Rollerball Spiked Loafers

Irina — Mon, 21 May 2012 11:00:29 +0000

Leave it to Christian Louboutin to make loafers look at least somewhat attractive to me. I’m not saying I love these nor would I spend almost a grand on them, but the silver spikes do make these less old man looking and give it a Michael Jackson coolness instead. As you can see below this shoe knows no age and gender; it gets worn by rebellious celebrity teens, newly-wed brides and egocentric dudes likewise.

Christian Louboutin Rollerball Loafers
($995, Saks)

Celebrities Love Christian Louboutin

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ALDO “Blye” Studded Loafers

UPDATE (05/21/2012): Just came across another CL Rollerball look-a-like. These studded loafers by ALDO come in black, white and nude leather and cost a reasonable $80.

ALDO “Blye” Studded Loafers
($80, Amazon)

The Damned “Pyr St Man” Spiked Loafers

UPDATE (03/30/2012): And here we go again. Another great Louboutin Rollerball alternative. These spiked loafers by The Damned not only come in black but also nude & red.

The Damned “Pyr St Man” Spiked Loafers
($179.95, Solestruck)

Steve Madden “STUDLYY” Spiked Loafers

UPDATE (03/19/2012): Came across another great Christian Louboutin Rollerball look-a-like. This one is by Steve Madden and it comes in either black, silver or gold.

Steve Madden “STUDLYY” Spiked Loafers
($99.95, Endless)

P.S.: Also available at Zappos, Steve Madden, Lord & Taylor, Jildor & NORDSTROM.

Unif “Hellraiser” Spiked Loafers

UPDATE (08/17/2011): Check out this spike-encrusted CL Rollerball knockoff by Unif. So sick, right?! Available in black or pink (!!!).

Unif “Hellraiser” Spiked Loafers
($164.95, Solestruck)

P.S.: Also available at Karmaloop.

Matiko “Lee” Studded Loafers

UPDATE (08/17/2011): Found an updated version of Matiko‘s “Leila” called “Lee”. Snake embossed leather all covered up by black spikey studs. Yum! Also available in leopard print.

Matiko “Lee” Studded Loafers
($132, Endless)

P.S.: Also available at ShopAKIRA & Solestruck.

Matiko “Leila” Studded Loafers

So I can’t love each and every shoe under the sun and that’s OK because I know some of you will be all over these studded loafers. For all of you who can’t afford the Louboutins, Matiko has an amazingly twin-like knockoff named “Leila”. Now don’t be shy, say hi!

Matiko “Leila” Studded Loafers
($119.95, Solestruck)

Charles Albert New 1551 Studded Loafers

Shortly after publishing this post I came across these white studded loafers by Charles Albert. Clearly an ode to Monsieur Louboutin, these will give you the same look for a mere 30 bucks. Unfortunately only limited sizes are left.

Charles Albert New 1551 Studded Loafers
($29.95, Endless)

Real vs. Steal – Christian Louboutin Louis Studded Hi-Top Sneakers

Juliana — Sun, 20 May 2012 18:00:57 +0000

For the red sole collectors with an urban sense of style, these kicks by Christian Louboutin screamed “Take me home tonight,” (before they were completely sold out)! Stars are being spotted out and about wearing more high tops than ever, and leading the pack is the beautiful, trendsetting Rihanna. If this is your favorite kind of footwear, or you just love to live in the limelight, wear them with shorts or skinny jeans to really show them off. For the red sole admirers, there is another set of shiny silver spikes waiting for you… so scroll down to see what we found!

Christian Louboutin Louis Studded Hi-Top Sneakers
($785, SOLD OUT)

Rihanna Loves Christian Louboutin

Steve Madden “TWYNKLE” Spiked Sneakers

HOT DEAL: Use promo code “SMSPRING15” to get 15% OFF + Free Shipping on your order of $75 or more! Offer valid until 06/30/12.

If comfortable shoes are your thing, and trendsetting is your mission… don’t miss a beat and snag this pair by Steve Madden so you can begin channeling your inner Rock-’n-Roll goddess. Especially because even at $785, the real deal is already sold out everywhere. While at $149, the pair below isn’t exactly a bargain, but they are still a steal considering the material, craftsmanship and apparent attention to detail. Not sure about how the grey pair will look for summer? They are also available in white leather!

Steve Madden “TWYNKLE” Spiked Sneakers
($149.95, Steve Madden)

Real vs. Steal – Chloé Ostrich Madeleine Duffel Bag

Juliana — Fri, 18 May 2012 20:00:39 +0000

This classic carryall by Chloé is simply divine. It holds all your essentials and easily goes from the office to a long weekend. If you’re planning a mini-vacation at the beach this summer, how perfect would this very chic handbag be, paired with some white shorts and a breezy oversized top or sweater? Add some vintage inspired eyewear, and you’ll look like you just stepped out of your villa in St. Tropez! Definitely loving the “gypset” style, but looking for something a little less expensive? Check out the gorgeous options below!

Chloé Ostrich Madeleine Duffel Bag
($7.480, Barneys)

ALDO “Dockwiller” Perforated Duffel Bag

Take this very affordable look-a-like by ALDO absolutely everywhere this summer and look instantly chic. Slip a wristlet in a complimentary color inside and easily access your lipstick or wallet during your lunch hour, while keeping all your other essentials in one place. If you’ve already got a white bag but looking for an alternate showstopper, why not consider the same style in a colorful shade? The one below brings to mind enjoying a refreshing peach sorbet on a chaise-longue with a warm breeze blowing in the air.

ALDO “Dockwiller” Perforated Duffel Bag
($50, Amazon)

P.S.: Also available at Amazon.co.uk.

Heel of the Day – DV by Dolce Vita Bunny Platform Pumps

Irina — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:00:36 +0000

HOT DEAL: Save 20% on $100 orders of select styles @ Endless. Enter promo code “FRIENDS2” at checkout. Offer expires 05/17.

So isn’t it quite obvious why I chose these DV by Dolce Vita patent-leather platform pumps as today’s Heel of the Day? Because they look so darn good! And because they remind me of Brian Atwood’s super coveted “Maniac” pump and the pink patent version with the gold bow on the vamp gives off an Alexander McQueen vibe. Also on the plus side: they’re real leather and cost a little under $100 (less if you make use of the promo code above) which is quite a helper when you’re a shoe fanatic on a budget. What do you think?

DV by Dolce Vita Bunny Platform Pumps
($99, Endless)

P.S.: Also available at Heels.com & Zappos.

Real vs. Steal – Christian Louboutin Pigalle 120 Patent-Leather Pumps

Roseanne — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:00:46 +0000

Christian Louboutin is the mastermind behind the designer footwear aesthetic. Often considered to be one of the most well known designers, his designs are truly never lackluster and always exude luxury. Capturing our attention a few months ago were the Pigalle Plato Pumps, and now these Pigalle 120 Patent-Leather Pumps do just the same. This papaya-pink color featured below is simply amazing with the addition of a pointed toe. Before, I never really appreciated any pointy toe shoes, however these pumps have sincerely changed my perspective. Priced at $625, I, for one will not be purchasing these any time soon. Conversely, take a look at more affordable versions of these pumps below!

Christian Louboutin Pigalle 120 Patent-Leather Pumps
($625, Christian Louboutin)

P.S.: Also available in a lower 4″ version at NET-A-PORTER & Browns Fashion.

Celebrities Love Christian Louboutin

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Alloy “Molly” Heels

HOT DEAL: Use promo code “APE15A” to get 15% OFF your entire order!

Our most affordable steal, priced at $29.90, are these Alloy “Molly” heels. Simply put, I love this color! With summer shortly approaching, I have been craving bright colors in my wardrobe and this shoe is the perfect way to incorporate them. These also come in neon yellow for even more vividness. Truly an eye capturing shoe, one can make quite a statement in these heels.

Alloy “Molly” Heels
($29.90, Alloy)

Devious Sexy-20 Stiletto Pumps

Out of all the featured look-a-likes, this one by Devious appears to be the most significant because it very closely resembles the Louboutins. The patent shine, color, and super elongated heel are perfectly intact and maintain that Louboutin-esque look. With this type of shoe, it’s very difficult to go wrong especially when it radiates such a bold energy. Ultimately, these can be worn as a transition to summer and even in the winter for a nice pop of color.

Devious Sexy-20 Stiletto Pumps
($63.45, Shoebuy)

P.S.: Also available at Shiekh.

Topshop “GAME” Pointed Court Shoes

Topshop is definitely one of my favorite stores due to their eclectic wardrobe varieties. Not to mention, these “Game” Pointed Court Shoes are absolutely beautiful. Though these are a bit pricier than the other alternatives above, I believe that they will become a permanent staple in one’s closet. They complement any outfit, and provide that extra vitality to spice up a dull look. I would love to pair them with perfectly tailored pants, but the wardrobe possibilities are simply superfluous.

Topshop “GAME” Pointed Court Shoes
($96, Topshop)

Real vs. Steal – Loeffler Randall Paige Crisscross Mesh & Leather Sandals

Roseanne — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:00:55 +0000

With this nice weather finally streaming in, the sandal phenomenon has grown to new heights, literally. These crisscross sandals by Loeffler Randall are particularly interesting, and have been seen worn by both Leighton Meester on the set of Gossip Girl and Emma Watson. However, what I absolutely love about these sandals is that they are in pure form of versatility. Leighton sports a more preppy look than Emma who is on the complete opposite side of the spectrum with her rocker-esque ensemble. I truly love both looks, especially how well these “Paige” sandals are being worn. Though the price is beyond my budget, that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t indulge in the steal below.

Loeffler Randall Paige Crisscross Mesh & Leather Sandals
($550, Saks)

P.S.: Also available at Endless & Footnotes.

Celebrities Love Loeffler Randall

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Nine & Co. “Moonlite” Wedge Sandals

Although these “Moonlight” Sandals by Nine & Co. are in wedge form, they preserve the most significant aspect of the sandals above. That is of course the crisscross detailing, which is practically identical to the real deal. Plus, these are only $40 so one doesn’t feel guilty about splurging on a pair of out-of-budget designer shoes. Ultimately, you can still keep the versatile feature in addition to the comfortable wedge heel without spending too much.

Nine & Co. “Moonlite” Wedge Sandals
($40, JCPenney)