Oh, yeah, on Net-a-Porter. Because these below are the original Louboutin Sing Sing patent wedges. Don't they look identical? I mean, I can't even say "inspired" here. I can only say - Ripped Off!
Now although I can see a noticeable difference in the materials, even from the pictures, I don't think it is 20 times more noticeable. The Louboutins were something like $695 originally and the Alloys were $29.50 (later marked down to $15). These are really cool shoes (in spite of some tacky hussy wearing them too) and they'd be a fun pair to own but, it would be hard to pay the designer price when the $30 pair is so cute too. If I had never seen the Louboutin pair, I probably would have bought the pair from Alloy and been happy with them.
But as they say, you can't unknow something, so maybe it is for the best that they are sold out in both versions.
8 comments:
I love striped shoes! I can't imagine that $30 shoes would be exceptionally comfortable.
I have reading your blog for a few months now, and I have to say that I think you are getting a bit pretentious all of a sudden. You snub shoe companies like Steven Madden and Nine West, but you wear clothes from Old Navy. And I must tell you that everything in Old Navy is "inspired by" or "ripped off of" a bigger designer that is setting the trends. That is how trends work. And sometimes, the rest of the world does not have the disposable income to fling around $700 on shoes on a whim.
PS- those shoes are tacky anyways
Grounded
Thank you for writing so I can clarify my thoughts on this. I absolutely hope I am not coming off as pretentious! That is not my intention at all. In this post specifically I don't judge either shoe as good or bad. Actually I think several people like to see that there are less expensive options out there. Also, on a personal level, I buy my shoes from all kinds of places, Payless to Neiman Marcus. I don't care about their "pedigree" as long as I think they are cute. And I'll mix up all levels.
I also use these "Imitation" posts to show how a trend is interpreted by another designer.
I am aware that stores and companies get their inspiration from all over. What I don't like is when companies completely rip off another designers work, as done here and has been done to some of my independent designer friends. I like to think these companies have enough creative talent to come up with and create their own ideas.
This is also not to say that I don't indulge by buying some of these "inspired-by" shoes when I really love a style and can't find it anymore in my size or color.
I hope that helps clarify my thoughts! Thank you for bringing it up so I could do so.
Luv
Poochie
I'm glad you responded to Grounded right away. I was afraid & scared because I felt the same way Grounded did, for about 5 minutes. But I think you're awesome & fierce...and I don't think of you as being pretentious at all.
I just wanted to say that I don't see these shoes as a rip-off. I think it's a designer/company's way of offering the same style for 900% less. I *wish* I could afford a pair of Christian's little babies. I leave that to you; you know how to take care of them & give them all a good home.
I know you've seen those "Dress For Less" shows where someone brings in a picture ripped out of a magazine & wants the designer to find the same dress for less.
I'm starting to see a lot of comments like grounded's on the fashion blogs - I think it's partly due to the flagging economy. $700 can be the difference between paying your mortgage another month or losing your house in this economy. People seem to be getting really touchy and resentful over luxury purchases. I'm outside the luxury market but I still enjoy reading your blog to see the pretty shoes and occasionally go check out a Nine West or Payless pair myself. I don't think you're coming off as pretentious, it's just hard for people in tenuous financial positions (most of us) to see over the top luxury spending right now, which I think is understandable. Maybe try a weekly cheap thrills entry?
i don't think you're being pretentious...
but really, how long is alloy going to keep selling this shoe? i think i posted about it (before my pledge) way back in april or may of 2007. it must be popular for them to keep it so long.
Great thoughts everyone!
I agree with you all. This is an example where I'm not sure I see a 20 times better element to make the price so high.
I try to do coverage of shoes I think are cool from Target and Payless (actually there are 2 cool things from Payless I plan on writing about really soon) but maybe doing it more regularly will help.
I have to admit I haven't even been going to the sites that often because I've been cutting way way down and even avioding Target! I'm pulling out stuff from my closet and not so much new stuff (it's so tempting).
Thanks for all your ideas and keep them coming!
Luv
Poochie
I just wanted to say that I don't see these shoes as a rip-off.I must tell you that everything in Old Navy is "inspired by" or "ripped off of" a bigger designer that is setting the trends. That is how trends work. And sometimes, the rest of the world does not have the disposable income to fling around $700 on shoes on a whim.
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