Most New Yorkers are shoe people, in part because we're constantly commuting. Naturally, the Who What Wear team has collected our fair share of designer shoes over the years to add to 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 (e.g. the bottom of a subway car at 2 a.m.) is a hard pill to swallow. Thankfully, there are lots of affordable options that just might 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.
Mesh Flats
"The mesh-flats craze has been itching my brain in the best way. I love how trendy these feel, and given the fact that there are plenty of affordable options on the market, I'm ready to start shopping. While the viral Alaïa flats have had me in a choke hold, I'll take the sub-$100 ones, please." — Chichi Offor, associate shopping editor
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T-Bar Sandals
"I'm a total sucker for simple, chic footwear—something that Jil Sander specializes in more than any other brand. Unfortunately, I haven't exactly budgeted this month for $960 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 Tony Bianco." — Eliza Huber, senior fashion editor
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Kitten Mules
"Ever since seeing Prada's geometric satin kitten mules on our editorial director, Lauren Eggertsen, I've been sold. While I'm not often a designer-shoe gal, there's something incredibly chic about this pair that's been calling my name. The price point isn't exactly in my wheelhouse, so naturally, I've hunted down similar options that give off the same vibe. I'm obsessed." — Ana Escalante, assistant shopping editor
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Sophisticated Slingbacks
"I've been coming back to these Saint Laurent slingbacks every other day, but the price keeps holding me back from actually adding them to my cart. After a little research, I came across this Jeffrey Campbell pair that just might do the trick without draining my shopping budget." — Nicole Akhtarzad Eshaghpour, editor-at-large
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Metallic Heels
"These ruched, silver Khaite slingbacks are my springtime dream shoes, 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 editor
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