I Hate Buying Cheap Shoes, But I'd Buy These Anyway

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(Image credit: @trustmebuythis)

Don’t get me wrong: I don’t think there’s anything wrong with buying anything cheap. In fact, I celebrate an amazing, affordable fashion find, but as a general rule of thumb, when it comes to accessories, I make a big effort to invest in high-quality pieces I know I’ll wear forever whenever I can. Consider it a side-effect of throwing away one too many fast-fashion, trendy heels over the course of the last several years.

Nonetheless, there are, as always, a few cases in which I make exceptions. For example, if the shoes are cute and they hit on a trend I’m not ready to invest a ton of money in yet. Or if the shoes are they’re so good and expensive-looking that I’d be a fool to say no. Or lastly, if they’re truly everyday shoes and I foresee wearing them a lot and walking around in them, in which case I’d prefer to buy something on the affordable side, rather than splurging on something I may damage from overuse.

As you can see, my criteria aren’t the easiest to meet, which is why I feel pretty confident in saying that if there are cheap shoes I’d buy, they’re probably worth buying. On that note, shop the under-$100 pairs I’m loving and considering adding to my cart (if I haven’t already) below.

Now, for the opposite end of spectrum, see the designer shoe brand women who can have it all still stick to

Opening Images: @laurenegg; @trustmebuythis

Editor-at-Large

Since starting as an intern back in 2013, Nicole Akhtarzad Eshaghpour has held several roles here at Who What Wear, and she is currently Editor-at-Large. It was a less expected route, seeing as she was graduating from business school at USC when this all began, but it has turned out to be the best one for her. Fast-forward to 2024, and she's moved to NYC from her hometown of Beverly Hills and spends her workdays a little differently from when she was an intern starting out. Currently, she focuses on a weekly mélange of shopping content. As far as her personal style goes, she's largely drawn to classic pieces and neutral basics but will always make an exception for something colorful, printed, or bejeweled as long as it's deemed worthy enough. After all, the only thing she loves more than a good party is dressing up for one. On weekdays, she can usually be found at home eating something delicious for dinner and trying to force her husband to watch Summer House.