These are the types of Shoe Deja Vu I like the most: the ones where the two pairs of shoes aren’t identical, but are just similar enough that you can see where the inspiration came from.
Looked at point by point, Topshop’s ‘Planet’ (on the left of the image) and Alexander Wang’s ‘Anais’ are completely different: the Topshop shoes have a platform, the Wang shoes have none; the Topshop shoes have a chunky heel, the Wangs a slim one; the Topshop shoes have a pointed toe and stitching around the vamp, the Wangs have a squared-off toe and no stitching; the high street shoes have flat tassels, the designer shoes have round ones; finally, the Alexander Wang shoe has that huge, exaggerated tongue, while the Topshop version is much smaller. In other words, they’re totally different but for the colour, and yet, as soon as I looked at the ‘Planet’ shoes, I was instantly reminded of ‘Anais’, and when you see them side-by-side, they’re certainly similar.
This is the best kind of “designer” inspiration, as far as I’m concerned, in that it’s ACTUAL “Inspiration”, as opposed to blatant copying. That doesn’t mean I’d buy them – neither of these are my style, although if I had to pick, I actually think I’d prefer the Topshop shoes – but if you’re a fan of the ‘Anais’ shoes, but don’t want to spend $650 on them, Topshop’s £95 version could be just what you’re looking for!
Which do you prefer?
P.S. Just after I finished this post, I came across this version, from ASOS, which share the outsized tongue of the designer shoes, but which use a totally different design other than that: another good way to get the same kind of look on a much smaller budget.
This is the third pair of blue shoes I’ve featured today: well, I did warn you I was addicted! There’s just something about this colour that means I can’t just scroll by it. When I found these shoes, though, I was really pleased to come across a blue upper that isn’t suede: for some reason, most of the blue shoes I find seem to be suede ones, and as much as I love it, it’s not always the most practical fabric for footwear. These use snake-effect leather instead, so while the colour is just as vibrant, they may be a little more weatherproof.
These shoes are from Topshop, they’re called ‘Sultry’, and they have a hint of Louboutin’s ‘Daffodil’ about them, thanks to that huge platform and pointed toe. Thankfully, they don’t have a hint of Louboutin’s pricing about them, though: these are £88, and you can click here to buy them online at Topshop. What do you think of them?
OK, so I have to admit that I’m still a little confused as to the usefulness of glitter-encrusted boots. I suspect the problems stems from the fact that I’ve never really seen boots as “dress” shoes: I’d reach for a pair of fancy shoes long before I’d go for even the sparkliest of boots, but I guess that’s just me: there are definitely enough examples of this style around right now to convince me that I’m in the minority, and that this year’s party season will be full of beautiful boots. What do you think?
Topshop’s ‘Amethyst’ boots are the latest incarnation of the style, and the streamlined shape makes me more likely to wear these than some of their chunkier sisters. The multi-glitter upper also helps, because the dark colour is a little more subtle than some we’ve seen, although I don’t think “subtle” is a word you can really apply to glittery boots, do you?
These are £70 at Topshop: click here to buy a pair.
These shoes are another one for the “I wouldn’t wear them, but I really like to look at them” files. Or, at least, I don’t think I’d wear them… I’ve always been a “leopard or nothing” kind of girl where animal print is concerned, and wearing anything that even vaguely resembles a dalmatian is just BEGGING to to be called “Cruella”, but the more I look at these, the more I start to imagine different ways they could work. I really think they could work, too: pretty easily, actually, given the fun print, and the easy-to-wear shape. Mostly, though, I’d just have to fight my impulse to wear them with this:
There were some split opinions on Topshop’s ‘Activate’ ankle boots when I showed you them earlier this week, so when I came across this photo of them in action, I had to show it to you!
This is UK TV presenter Caroline Flack, who’ll be presenting this year’s X-Factor, at the official launch of the show this week. Caroline wore the Topshop boots with a little black dress, which is probably how I’d choose to wear something like this too (albeit I wouldn’t go for this particular dress), although when I saw them, one of my first thoughts was that they’d look good with jeans.
What do you think? Has Caroline managed to change your opinion of these at all?
Over the past few days, I’ve bookmarked so many pairs of shoes from Topshop to show you, that I figured I may as well just put them all in one post, to save a bit of time!
I’m starting off with these ‘Luxury’ velvet sandals, which are available in pale pink and raspberry:
Now, velvet isn’t one of my favourite fabrics, partly because it always strikes me as a “winter” fabric, and I hate being reminded of winter, even when it actually IS winter. This IS a winter collection, however, and I’d imagine these are intended as party wear, because God knows, satin and velvet won’t last two minutes of a typical British winter, unless they’re being kept safely indoors. They also, however, have a very 90s feel for me, due to the chunky heel and platform, and, of course, the velvet upper. Nineties fashion has yet to start to feel acceptable to me again – honestly, it was bad enough the first time – so I’d give these a pass, but you can click here to buy them for £58.
It’s no secret that I’m a fan of studs on shoes, and these ones also come with a little bow on the toe, which also appeals. I love the blue suede version, but the black would also be a nice addition to the shoe shelves, as they’re so much more interesting than a pair of plain black pumps, but not much less versatile.
(Topshop ‘Sacred’ velvet platform shoes, £58: click here to buy)
More velvet, and I have more or less the same reaction to it as I did to the sandals above. I do like the shape of these shoes, though: I’d just like them better in leather or suede, and in almost any colour but maroon.
(Topshop ‘Piston’ court shoes, £85: click here to buy)
Now this is more like it! After years of disliking metal heels, I’m really starting to come round to them, and I absolutely love the teal suede version of Toshop’s ‘Piston’. The black version, meanwhile, with it’s studded heels, reminds me of Carvela’s ‘Astroid’ pumps, which were also available in black. (I have the green suede version.)
(Topshop ‘Activate’ leopard print boots, £95, click here to buy)
A little bit of leopard print for your winter wardrobe? I’m tempted. Are you?
There are a lot of things I could say about these shoes.
I’m not going to say them, though: well, you all know by now that brogues just aren’t my thing, and not even the addition of a Kelly green sole, or my newfound appreciation for colourblocking is going to change my mind, I’m afraid. (These are shoes that would probably best be described as “sensible”. I don’t do “sensible” unless I absolutely have to.)
I know lots of my readers love brogues, though (or just don’t like heels), so I’m keen to know what you think of this variation on the classic design? And those of you who’re with me in the “no brogues” camp: does the colourful sole change your mind at all?
One of the other shoes I spotted during Monday’s trip to Glasgow was these ‘Pritti’ sandals, from Topshop.
It was the colour that caught my attention, of course: I just can’t walk past green suede without stopping to stroke it, but as soon as I did, I was instantly reminded of Gucci’s python sandals:
The colour is different, as is the ankle strap, but the combination of green suede, single strap across the foot, and gold heel do create a strong sense of shoe deja vu, don’t you think?
Topshop describe these as “barely there” sandals, and that’s actually what puts me off both versions. As I’ve said before, when it comes to footwear, I like the emphasis to be on the shoes rather than on my feet, so while I like the look of these on their own, I’d probably like them less when I was wearing them, as the effect would be mostly of bare feet with just a couple of straps across them. For that reason, I much prefer the Carvela ‘Go’ sandals, which also remind me of the Gucci shoe, but which cover more of the foot.
What do you think of these? The Topshop version is £75, and is also available in bronze: click here to buy them.
