Style
Luxury For Less: 10 Shoe Brands To Know
introOver the last few years, the rise of direct-to-consumer shoe brands have granted savvy shoppers around the world access to luxury for less. These companies are selling directly to shoppers – whether in their wholly owned stores or online – to remove the middleman from the equation. As a result, they’re able to offer premium products at considerably lower prices than traditional fashion designers and brands. What’s more, many of these companies are taking customers along for the journey, introducing eco-friendly footwear into their lives and sharing the behind-the-scenes stories behind their manufacturing processes. Ready to enjoy luxury footwear for less? These 10 brands are a great place to start.
0/10
Style
Luxury For Less: 10 Shoe Brands To Know.
AllbirdsAllbirds
Founded by a renewable energy expert and an engineer, Allbirds is the direct-to-consumer shoe brand the entire family can live in, with trendy and classic styles for men, women and children. Their sustainable merino wool designs have become the unofficial uniform of Silicon Valley – and if you’re not satisfied with the comfort (highly unlikely), they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. Allbirds doesn’t ship everywhere internationally; however, they do cover many markets including the US, Canada, the UK, the European Union, New Zealand, Australia and China.1/10
Style
Luxury For Less: 10 Shoe Brands To Know.
KoioKoio
Koio, a play on the Italian word for leather (cuoio), foregoes the cheap, plastic-coated leathers used by many sneaker companies in favour of high-quality, durable, fine leather shoes. The sustainable and ethical sneaker brand offers comfortable, handcrafted designs for men and women, from streamlined lace-ups and slip-ons that go with just about everything, to more trend-focused looks. Koio promotes its transparent production process, with all material sourcing and manufacturing occurring locally in the Italian region of Le Marche. The luxurious sneakers are available for a fraction of the price of comparable-quality designer sneakers, and may be shopped in six stores across the US, or online.2/10
Style
Luxury For Less: 10 Shoe Brands To Know.
MargauxMargaux
Sensible enough to walk around the city all day and elegant enough to wear to a nice lunch, it’s easy to see why ballet slippers are such an important wardrobe staple. Still, no two pairs of ballet slippers are alike, nor are their manufacturers – and it was difficult to find a classy pair for a smart price until Margaux entered the scene. What’s more, the New York-based brand offers multiple widths, extended sizes and made-to-measure sizing. Margaux’s ballet slippers for everyday wear and special occasions may steal the show, but the shoemaker is also a great source for boots, heels, loafers and sandals – all at reasonable prices.3/10
Style
Luxury For Less: 10 Shoe Brands To Know.
Frank & OakFrank and Oak
Frank and Oak is an interesting direct-to-consumer brand with a focus on sustainability, leveraging recycled materials and reducing waste. They offer in-house shoe designs for both men and women, but it’s their men’s designs – surprisingly enough – that impress the most. Their low-top, made-in-Portugal trainers (some are even handcrafted) are sure to grab attention on stylish streets stretching from Barcelona to LA. Frank and Oak’s waste reduction practices mean they produce small batches of exclusive designs; if you fall for a pair of shoes, be sure to order right away.4/10
Style
Luxury For Less: 10 Shoe Brands To Know.
EverlaneEverlane
Everlane is one of the better known brands on this list, making waves with transparent pricing, ethical production and, under certain circumstances, offering shoppers the ability to choose how much to pay. The lifestyle brand’s shoes are in line with their clothing collections: simple, stylish and sensible, with plenty of workwear options. Expect everything from leather, pointed-toe boots to comfy stacked heels for day – all listed with their current prices, what their prices would be with traditional retail pricing strategies (your savings) and even in-depth information on where they’re made.5/10
Style
Luxury For Less: 10 Shoe Brands To Know.
ReformationReformation
A curious mix of sustainable and fast fashion womenswear, Reformation recently started offering shoes to the delight of in-the-know shoppers around the world. Beautiful, eco-friendly flats, heels, sandals and more are produced via sustainable production processes and made with materials, such as chrome-free supplies of kid suede and nappa leather. The Los Angeles-based brand shares the sustainability information and environmental impact of every shoe on offer, including the amount of waste, carbon dioxide and water saved in the manufacturing process. Reformation’s carbon offset programmes and insightful cleaning and care instructions continue their environmental efforts long after their shoes have left the shelves.7/10
Style
Luxury For Less: 10 Shoe Brands To Know.
Tamara MellonTamara Mellon
You could be the most passionate shoe enthusiast since Carrie Bradshaw and still not have heard of Tamara Mellon, though you’ve certainly loved her shoes: Mellon was the mastermind designer and co-founder behind Jimmy Choo. She went on to launch her eponymous label in 2016, offering luxury shoes handcrafted in family-owned Italian factories at prices well below the Jimmy Choo cut-off. Expect sexy, timeless heels you’ll wear for years for around $400, sneakers for around $500 and boots in the $700 range. As a bonus, pick up their gorgeous (and practical) packing cubes, a collaboration with Paravel; they’re specially designed for Tamara Mellons.8/10
Style
Luxury For Less: 10 Shoe Brands To Know.
Oliver CabellOliver Cabell
Oliver Cabell is the sneaker label that’s big on luxury and low on prices. The handmade sneakers merge fine traditional craftsmanship techniques and the latest in tech, creating incredible textures, fits and silhouettes. Low-top sneakers account for the majority of their bestselling styles, and they come in a range of colours from nude to alloy and slate. Calling attention to eco-responsibility, Oliver Cabell introduced the sustainable Phoenix style in August; their lowest-price sneaker yet, at $98 a pair. Phoenix is made from recycled bottles, and may be worn without socks, thanks to an antibacterial lining.9/10
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.