15 Pretty Designer Heels and the Affordable Alternates You'll Wear Just as Much

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(Image credit: @emilisindlev)

I'm someone who looks at and thinks about designer shoes a lot. There are approximately five to 10 pairs (at least) on my wish list at any given time. While I do splurge sometimes, I obviously can't have every pair that my heart desires, by any means. But luckily, I take solace in the fact that there are tons of affordable alternatives to my dream designer shoes out there.

I'm focusing specifically on pretty heels at the moment. It's safe to say that the predictions of heels being "over" (when we all stopped wearing them during 2020 and much of 2021) were false. I think that people missed them, and there's really no replacement for a beautiful pair of heels.

Many designer brands have really been prioritizing pretty heels lately (which is often the case in the summer), but they're not cheap, with most pairs averaging between $500 and $1000. If you choose to go the (much) more affordable route, I've paired them with similar heels that you'll truly wear just as much. Scroll for all the shopping.

Designer Butterfly Heels

Affordable Butterfly Heels

Designer Crystal Mules

Affordable Crystal Mules

Designer Lavender Heels

Affordable Lavender Heels

Designer Pink Crystal Kitten Heels

Affordable Pink Crystal Kitten Heels

Designer Chain Sandals

Affordable Chain Sandals

Designer Chunky Chain Sandals

Affordable Chunky Chain Sandals

Designer Pastel Crystal Sandals

Affordable Pastel Crystal Sandals

Designer PVC heels

Affordable PVC Heels

Designer Mesh Heels

Affordable Mesh Heels

Designer Embellished Pumps

Affordable Embellished Pumps

Designer Pearl Mules

Affordable Pearl Mules

Designer Satin Sandals

Affordable Satin Sandals

Designer Crystal PVC Mules

Affordable Crystal PVC Mules

Designer Braided Sandals

Affordable Braided Sandals

Designer Metallic Heels

Affordable Metallic Heels

Next up, 33 pretty flat sandals you can wear day or night.

Allyson Payer
Senior Editor

Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.