The Expensive Sandals You Want, Versus the Cheap Sandals You Should Get

I had the sandals in the shopping basket and my credit card in my hand when I came to and realized, You nut, you can’t afford $397 (plus tax and shipping) sandals! They were beautiful sandals, to be sure: black suede slingback mules with a simple metal strap, made by an Australian company called By Far. I desired them greatly.

But we mourn; we move on. We look for sandals that capture some of the original sandals’ understated elegance. We fail. We buy a pair of cherry-red Urban Outfitters sandals that we like fine, but don’t fall head over heels for. They look good with our cropped jeans, and we’re doing okay! Less happy than we might be had we purchased the Perfect Sandals. But less anxious, too, as we narrowly dodged spending several hundreds of dollars on shoes we’ll wear for two months.

Below, please find ten too expensive summer sandals that will break your heart, along with their closest cheaper counterparts, to help you try to move on. Let’s not think of it as settling. Let’s think of it as financial self-care.

By Far Scandi Strap Sandal

Let’s get this the hell out of the way: These are the sandals I wanted.

$397 at Garmentory

Buy

The Noelle Slingback Sandal in Suede

And a much-cheaper — and really, quite similar — alternative.

$98 at Madewell

Buy

Steve Madden Cactus Sandal

And another.

$80 at Nordstrom

Buy

Maryam Nassir Zadeh Sophie Leather Slides

Vibrant, life-changing Maryam Nassir Zadeh mules.

$360 at Moda Operandi

Buy

Patti Suede Mule Heel

And perfectly nice Urban Outfitter copycats.

$39 at Urban Outfitters

Buy

By Far Scandi Strap Sandals in Green

The prettiest green suede sandals that I lusted over for all of summer 2017, and frankly have yet to get over.

$397 at Garmentory

Buy

The Noelle Slingback Sandal in Velvet

And these are, y’know, nice and green, too.

$98 at Madewell

Buy

Mansur Gavriel 40MM Heeled Mule in Sun

Beautiful, elegant Mansur Gavriel mules.

$475 at Need Supply Co.

Buy

The Day Heel Mule

$86 (was $155, now 45% off)

But really, don’t be ridiculous: Buy this Everlane pair instead.

$86 at Everlane

Buy

Marta Mule Heel

Or these, they’re even cheaper!

$59 at Urban Outfitters

Buy

Martiniano Glove Shoe in Tostado

Did you say you wanted the Martiniano glove slipper?

$437 at Need Supply Co.

Buy

The Day Glove

These almost-flats will do.

$110 at Everlane

Buy

Rachel Comey Bali Closed Toe Mary Jane in Fuschia Velvet

You want these Rachel Comey high-heeled mary janes for your summer weddings, don’t you?

$395 at Need Supply Co.

Buy

The Claudia Sandal in Velvet

$96 (was $128, now 25% off)

Don’t do it, my friend! Go for these.

$96 at Madewell

Buy

James Rowland Shop Dual Strapped Sandals

The comfiest stylish shoe you’ll ever wear. I own them in this natural color and in black.

$130 at Garmentory

Buy

Monterey

And their practically identical, Strat-favorite counterparts for $30 less.

$100 at Charleston Shoe Co.

Buy

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