This Under-$120 Alt Is the Only Thing Keeping Me From Spending $1K on Hailey Bieber's The Row Mules
Hailey Bieber keeps wearing The Row Penelope Mules, and I just found the best designer-passing alternative.
Hailey Bieber is a true style icon, consistently setting fashion trends by wearing the season's must-have items. What makes her relatable, however, is her habit of rewearing beloved pieces like any ordinary person would, particularly with designer items, to maximize their use. In the past, she's frequently worn items such as Gap's Low Rise '90s Loose Jeans, Joe's Everyday Tank, and Bottega Veneta's Large Hop Bag. While she still incorporates those staples, The Row's Penelope Mules have recently joined her rotation as a new favorite.
With their sleek, patent-leather design and refined slip-on silhouette, the Penelope Mules are a seasonal hero item. They play into several emerging new-season trends at once. The elegant mules feature a shiny patent finish that has been gaining traction over the past few seasons for its rich appeal. Additionally, the elongated upper embraces the high-vamp-shoe trend, which is set to dominate footwear in 2026.
Since Bieber's pair is an investment, I wondered whether there were similar styles on the market that could help me get the designer look for less. It didn't take me long to come across a handful of styles that have a similar silhouette. One that stood out specifically was the Lambert from Aldo. These shoes feature a patent-leather upper, a mule silhouette, a slim block heel, and a subtle square-toe design. But instead of costing over $1000, they're less than $120—a major win. Because you'll want to see what they look like, keep scrolling to discover the Aldo mules and more shoe alternatives that will have you looking like an It girl this spring.
How Hailey Bieber Styles the Penelope Mules
Get the look: Long-sleeve shirt + crochet skirt + Penelope Mules
Get the look: Leather top + wide-leg pants + Penelope Mules
Get the look: Leather jacket + low-rise baggy trousers + Penelope Mules
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Nikki Chwatt is an associate fashion editor based in New York City. She joined Who What Wear in 2024 after writing fashion, beauty, and lifestyle content for WWD, Well+Good, Editorialist, and more. With a passion for personal style and the creativity that comes with it, one of Chwatt's goals is to help others understand that there is no such thing as a “good” or “bad” style; it’s just about putting an outfit together that makes you feel confident in yourself.