Trendy Shoes for Less

Some Tricks of the Trade From Me to You

For months I've been dying to get my hands on a pair of Sam Edelman Petty Boots. They're so perfect, such a great staple for Fall with some black skinny jeans.

After shopping around, I found some boots that are pretty much the exact same from American Eagle on sale for $70.

 (who would've thought?!)

So, like I said in a previous post, Birkenstocks are back in style, hot and heavy. However, they are still shoes that I consider to be a trend-piece, meaning that they won't be in style for long.

Why spend $130 for a pair of shoes that you'll have no use for next year when American Eagle has some identical sandals (although in a much better color, in my opinion) for $35?!

I have been relentlessly searching for some ultra-seventies-style campus boots in the past few weeks.

I briefly contemplated the Frye boots before I searched around Etsy for an actual vintage pair that's the exact same style and color with the exact same stitching pattern for TWENTY DOLLARS. This is not a drill, people.

Yes, they're a bit worn, but I like boots to look that way.

$348 or $20? It's simple.

Target notoriously has knock-off Steve Maddens and Jeffery Campbells, but like I said earlier, both of these boots are more of a trend than a classic staple in someone's wardrobe.

I actually own the Target combat boots and I love them. I've compared them to the Steve Madden Troopas, and they're literally the exact same.

As for these, I actually like the higher heel and gold buckles on the Target shoes a lot better.

Although the heel isn't that great woodgrain, I think these H&M shoes are a good Jeffrey Campbell imitation. The heel isn't as high, so they're a bit more subtle if you're not as daring as the Lita.

In the realm of designer shoes, Steve Madden actually redesigns styles from a lot of luxury brands like Louboutin, but I'd rather not buy a pair of shoes that cost about what my car's worth, so if I'm inkling to drop some dough on a flashy pair of stiletto platform pumps, I'll definitely look to Steve Madden.

H&M Haul!

The time is now.

American's can order H&M online now, and I don't have to take a trip all the way to dang Huntsville for these low, low prices, so I bought a ton (too much) stuff for my San Francisco trip.

Here's a nice list for y'all.  

I'm returning the pants; a nice effort at being a Free People faded black biker jean knock off, and they were only $15, but the low-rise fit isn't the most flattering. 

I ran into an all-too-familiar problem of my butt being too big and the waist being too small, BYE.

I'm also returning the heels. They're pretty cute, but I got an 8, and they were weirdly small (I normally wear a 7), and the leather part seemed really fragile, which would be one thing if they were like 30 bucks, but they were actually $60! Not worth it, I'm afraid.  So I'm taking them back to Huntsville. Otherwise, I was very pleased with my purchases.

This yellow dress was like, $30, and it's really breezy, summery, and most importantly, very work appropriate.  

The thing I find with comparable stores like Forever 21, rue 21, etc., is that  their dresses might fit well and look cute, but they're super dang short, and I can't wear them hardly anywhere.  

This dress comes right to my knees. Fair warning though, I am really short, so a lot of stuff does look somewhat long on me, so check the measurements before you purchase!

So now I no longer have to drop big bucks at Gap or Madewell for cute officewear, and that rules.

UNFFF. Love these leather shorts. 18 bucks.  YEAH.  

They rule, and like I said, I can't shop for shorts at Urban Outfitters without them going up my buttcrack, but these are actually pretty long. They come down to about my mid-thigh.

The elastic waistband makes them super comfy, plus *they have pockets!!*

Definitely wearing these with my Harley Davidson shirts in San Francisco next week, but they also look super cute with my clogs and a flannel button up.

I've been looking for a fringe bag for so dang long.  I'm so glad I stumbled upon this.  I think it was $32, and I'm obsessed.  It's a pretty good size, and black fringe is obv my fave.

Bad photo, but this is one of my favorite items. It's a black, long, trumpet-sleeved mini dress with lace trim.  

I love it a lot, a lot. I think it was $35 and I've been wearing it with turquoise jewelry and my Lucky Brand clogs.  

It's actually really short, however, so I only wear it to go out, but it's so dang cute and flattering. It also comes in white, but y'all know I'm the queen of doom, so.

I also got this purple matte lipstick for $5. It's a really saturated, dramatic color, so I don't wear it in the daytime, but it's a really great product for the price. 

Plus, it's the best purple shade I've found. 

It definitely gives off a 90s goth, grunge vibe. I always want to wear it with black, crushed velvet, haha.

P.S. Sorry not sorry that pretty much everything I bought is black.  oops.