Designer Look-a-Likes

Get the look for less! Designer knock offs and look-a-likes

Via Spiga vs. Dolce Vita

If you've been waiting for the perfect opportunity to buy into the clog trend sweeping the nation then look no further. As you know each week we bring you two similar looking shoes at two price points, because everyone deserves to stay in style. Inspired by the clog trend report featured in the Trends page., we had to give you the chance to shop this comeback trend. So here they are, the Via Spiga and Dolce Vita slingback clogs with peep-toe detailing. They're not too far apart on the price scale, but in this economy, every dollar counts! Both styles are for sale at Bloomingdales.

Dolce Vita vs. Urban Outfitters

This week we bring you similar strappy wedge sandals at two price points. Every season Dolce Vita delivers a collection of fun, exotic and trend-setting shoes that end up on girls and women off all ages and lifestyles. So it's no surprise that their reasonably priced footwear would inspire other less-known brands. The Dolcetta strappy sandal is sold at Urban Outfitters for much less than the Dolce Vita 'Pela' wedges, but there isn't much of a visible difference between the two. Either one of these serves the purpose of stepping out in style.

Yves Saint Laurent vs. Forever 21

For the third week in a row, Forever 21 challenges a high end designer! This time a YSL design has been the "inspiration" for a Forever 21 $23 shoe. Of course the Forever 21 quality is no match for the Italian made 'Divine' bootie with a pencil thin heel and suede platform. The elastic crisscross band with stitch detailing on the Yves Saint Laurent bootie are first-rate, and you'll have a hard time finding flawless details like that anywhere else. They're definitely absent from the Forever 21 'Velvet pumps' made of rayon and pvc, but the influence from the YSL is present in the overall design. The Yves Saint Laurent 'Divine' booties are on sale for $716, or you can wisely spend that money on rent and instead spend only $23 on the Forever 21 'Velvet pumps'.

Asos vs. Forever 21

This week we bring you a designer look-a-like that features one of our favorite trends, the wedge bootie. Wedge booties are hot for summer, fall, spring, or winter, one pair of these will hold you over all year. Dress them up with a mini or wear them casually with a pair of skinny jeans. These two here are very similar looking in style but the Asos is suede while the Forever 21 is "leatherette', whatever that means. The Asos ones are $93 (not bad at all!) but for those looking for disposable footwear, the Forever 21 leatherette wedge booties are only $27.80!

Max Studio vs. Forever 21

Cut-out lace-up booties are perfect for any season. These two booties are basically identical with matching cut-out heels and toes, but the warrior-chic Max Studio ones will run you $220 while the Forever 21 faux leather booties are on sale for $24.80.

Stuart Weitzman vs. Michael Kors

Espadrilles are a Summer must have and now you can get the look for less from Michael Kors.

Opening Ceremony vs. Aldo

Multi-strap sandals are back and better than ever. Aldo has an Opening Ceremony knock off that will knock your socks off!

Jimmy Choo vs. Steve Madden

We love Jimmy Choo, and apparently so do the "designers" at Steve Madden. We say "designers" because, let's face it, they don't design much. They watch what other true innovative minds are creating in the world of footwear and then replicate it at a much cheaper price. Ok, sometimes they make some alterations to make the shoe more mainstream, but in the end it's very easy to see that Steve Madden shoes have been highly influenced by other's designs. Love it or hate it, copying is out there. You can argue that Steve Madden makes fabulously designed (by somebody else) footwear available to the masses, or you can shout at the top of your lungs that they are STEALING from real designers. Either way, we feel for both sides and won't take sides. We present the evidence and you decide. Here are a few Jimmy Choo designs that have been altered for Steve Madden...

Chrissie Morris vs. Nine West

The Chrissie Morris sandals are much better looking than the Nine West, and the quality will be much better. But $1,385! Really! That's a down payment on a Toyota! So, if you're looking to satisfy your craving for wrap around sandals but don't have the mula for the real thing, then Nine West is a cheap fix.

Christian Louboutin vs. Forever 21

Thanks to The Look 4 Less for finding these amazing look-a-likes...  The Forever 21 'Jal-Jacko Glitter' oxford is identical to the Christian Louboutin 'Fred Flat Glitter' oxfords.  Aside from the red soles there's no visible difference.  The price differences however are staggering.  See more oxfords on the Get Your Kicks page.

Camilla Skovgaard vs. Nine West & Steve Madden

Camilla Skovgaard has amazing shoes loved by celebrities and civilians alike. Her designs are starting to get picked off by brands like Nine West, Steve Madden and Michael Antonio. Here we have her open toe booties with cut-out design, zippers and ankle strap compared to two knock-offs by Nine West and Steven by Steve Madden.

Alexander McQueen vs. Dolce Vita

We went a little crazy this week and found three looks for less that are sure to please all personalities. This first look was originated by Alexander McQueen and quickly found fans like Rihanna and Lindsey Lohan. This look was quickly picked up by the usual copy-cats Aldo, Steve Madden and Michael Antonio. Steve Madden's knock-off was so spot-on that the designer sued them in an attempt to take the knock-offs off the market, it worked.  However, the Michael Antonio boots are still available along with an inspired look by Dolce Vita.

Christian Louboutin vs. Dolce Vita

This is actually a reverse knock-off. The Dolce Vita strappy sandal was available last year but Christian Louboutin's $1,495 look-a-likes are part of the SS 2010 collection. So this is more of the look-for-more instead of look-for-less.

Christian Louboutin vs. Luichiny

These Louboutin's are also from his SS2010 collection and are already being knocked-off. The Louboutin's are much prettier but Luichiny's aren't bad for an evening out.

Cynthia Vincent vs. Jessica Simpson

Here's a look that will come back this Spring/Summer. The multi-buckle and zipper details go great with the heavy wedge and platforms. The Cynthia Vincents have been around since last year but Jessica Simpson's 'Adreana' shoes are brand new.

Christian Louboutin vs. Vince Camuto

Christian Louboutin created the 'Dillian' pumps for the 3.1 Derek Lam's Spring 2009 runway show and since then the shoes became a hit and sold out everywhere, even at the $1,695 price. If you didn't get your hands on the original Louboutins but you really love the style then you can get the look for less from Vince Camuto for only $130.

Over the knee boots - Get the look for less

Over the knee boots are hot. There is a large selection of designs, heels, platforms and so on, but this one's a classic. The heel is a modest height, the tip is round which doesn't go out of style and there is no platform or anything else that would date this boot. The Valentino Garavani boots are high quality and very expensive, but this is a classic piece so we recommend spending as much as you can and get a boot that will last years. However if you want the look for less we've found three similar boots that will do the trick.

Giuseppe Zanotti for Balmain knock-offs

Not long ago the Balmain booties were expected to be the hottest thing this season, and they are.  Giuseppe Zanotti has created a collection of fierce footwear for Balmain that everyone wants, but few can afford. These booties hit the stores with a $1,300 price tag. Surprisingly they are currently 50% off at MyTheresa.com but if that's still above your means, there are some great knock-offs from several retailers.  This is one of our favorite looks of the year and we're excited to see the design at available prices.

Givenchy vs. Steve Madden

We've featured the Givenchy birdcage bootie before when compared to a Charlotte Russe look-a-like, but these Steve Madden's are a much closer copy that we had to bring them to your attention.  They're both suede and leather, well in the Steve Madden case they look like suede and leather. The triangle cut-out design is identical and the heels are the same height. We're starting the new year with a look at last year's greatest look-a-like! Please visit our Archives page to see other look-a-likes.