I am enamored of black, high spiky heel, peep-toe, mary jane type shoes. The only way that description could be more convoluted is if I added the cost ratio divided by the population of New Guinea and presented my findings as a scientific paper to a trio of spectacle-wearing ducks.

That's incomprehensible, isn't it? I don't start making sense until I've had three cups of coffee. (I'm holding strong at one and a half, if you're interested.)

Here is a gorgeous patent leather version (Christian Louboutin, $785):


Here is a very similar pair in black suede (on sale at Max Studio for $88):




Both are stunning shoes. Both will win you compliments on your legs (from the men folk) and on your shoe collection (from the women). One also allows you to pay your rent. Which we like, because those shoes would hurt after a few hours pushing a shopping cart full of all your worldly goods. I am all for quality and would truly, truly love a pair of Christian Louboutins one day in the far-flung future. But for those of us budgetary type people, Max Studio is a fine substitute. At least until those dreams of becoming the next Danielle Steele come to fruition.

Labels: bait and switch, shoes

Christian Louboutins, like a Pulitzer Prize, are the goal. Oh Deers, like that one comment that exclaimed "Hey! Great use of punctuation!", are a very acceptable substitute.







1) Katherine 2) Garbo 3) Audrey (all $110). Check the rest out here.

Labels: bait and switch, shoes

Budget babies like me are sometimes reduced to wistful tears over a pair of shoes in Vogue so beautiful in design and so sublime in quality that the price tag manages to reach the quadruple digits. (Fine, I've never actually been reduced to tears but I'm painting a picture here.) Stunning, yes! But you can't have them, peasant!

Thank the fashion gods for knock-offs.

Case in point. Marc Jacobs platform mary janes - stylin', semi-practical with the comfortable wedge, and oh-so-cute. $320 certainly doesn't hit the upper registers of fashion price tags, but it's still equal to a month of groceries. (Best diet tip ever? Be poor.)



Lovely, yes? Now check these babies out:




Mighty similar. Main difference? About $220. Quality will probably be lower, but you also get to eat this month. Eating = good. For the Marc Jacobs look at decidedly un-MJ prices, check out the Jeffrey Campbell platform mary janes for $89. I got my pair here in patent leather for only $72.

Wear with dresses, wear with jeans - I guarantee you'll get compliments. You can even walk the city for hours without being reduced to hobbling into the nearest drugstore for band-aids. And 99 percent of the people you pass will have no idea which pair you're wearing.

Labels: bait and switch, shoes