Designer Footwear - What's good, What's bad?

I own a couple of designer shoes. It's huge collection and I certainly love shoe shopping, but I have racked up some in the past. And I must say, my experiences with most of them were terrible:

My pair of Alexander McQueen pumps? One heel broke off after while I was standing around idly. I had worn them a maximum of ten times.

My Prada sandals with ankle straps? The straps keep coming off. I was wearing them for the first time, they broke immediately. Same happened with a pair of YSL pumps and Balenciaga sandals.

Such shoes do not come cheap. And I was under the impression that I'm paying a certain price for a certain quality. I love designer footwear, but in the future I want to be more careful with what I purchase. So what are you experieces? Who makes really good shoes? Who makes bad ones?

I'm very content with my Angelina Voloshina stilettos and a pair of Marc Jacobs slingbacks, for that matter. I wear them often and they're both comfortable and of a good quality.

10 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

That's SO annoying.

These days, designer items do not guarantee quality. Dr. Martens for example, are far more robust and more beautifully made than most designer shoes. And at a fraction of the price.

I'm hard on my shoes (it's the way and the speed at which I walk), and have found Aquatalia, Paul Green, Frye, Gabor, Matisse and Stuart Weitzman consistently good quality.

old chic

Active Member

Chanel heels and Gucci block heels have been good for me, comfort- and quality-wise. But I have never found any stiletto or even kitten heels that don't get nicked up sometimes when you step in a sidewalk crack.

LoriCo

I have a pair of Ecco wedge sandals that are comfortable and well-made. My indulgence shoes are Ferragamo. I have a pair of Audrey flats and a pair of black slingbacks with a 2" heel. Both were comfortable enough to wear all day on their first wearings.

Kirstjen

Veteran

I think that couture shoes are sort of fragile. And I think you are NOT paying for quality, but for design perhaps & status. I think there are other shoes out there that are well made, durable and comfortable. Like Angie, I'd recommend Aquatalia, but also I love AGL. I've also had good luck with some Tods, Philip Lim.

For really decadent, walk-all-day comfort, there is NOTHING better than Arche.

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