These $836 Yves Saint Laurent Divine eel platform pumps from Farfetch are certainly divine, as their given name suggests.  I’ve had a thing for eel ever since I was a young girl and my grandmother Millie, who was very elegant and had great taste, gifted me with a small, beautiful tan eel purse, which felt like pure luxury to me.  While eel skin may not be the most common leather people wear on their shoes, it is one of the most exotic and tends to impart an instant air of sophistication when worn.  It can also be quite expensive.  But, wearing eel shoes doesn’t have to break the bank.  Let’s take a look at a few gorgeous, but expensive, eel heels from YSL and some lower-priced eel shoes that provide all of the indulgence, but none of the guilt:

More: Yves Saint Laurent Eelskin Pump in chalk from the Cruise 2010 Collection for $775 at Nordstrom.

Less: RSVP Cassidy genuine eel pump in sand for $68.04 at Zappos.

Less: The RSVP Cassidy is also available in brown eel at Zappos for $62.72.

More: Yves Saint Laurent Eelskin Pump in coral from the Cruise 2010 Collection for $775 at Nordstrom.

Less: Moda Spana Simone eel pump in camel, dark brown or wine for $44.28 at 6pm.  Also available in very limited sizes at Overstock for $49.82.

Less: The Cindy Says Toxic pump, which is made of faux eel skin and has a very unique heel, which is described as “comma inspired” (who knew commas could be inspiring!).  It’s available at Amazon for $71.58 in mustard.  You can also get it in red or black for the same price, but sizes are extremely limited.

I’m also really hoping this Pelle Moda Vintage becomes available again.  It’s at Zappos for $115.08, but only in size 10, and I don’t see them available anywhere else.  If anyone knows where to get them, I need to know!

Macy’s is having their latest One Day Sale (ok, it’s actually 2 days), which means most items sitewide are up to 60% off and they’ve also taken an additional 25% off clearance, including clearance shoes.  One of my fave shoes of the moment happens to be on sale for a great price.  The Guess Chief platform heel in leopard or lace is normally $110, but it’s on clearance for $76.99.  After the extra 25% off, you can get it for $56.99, which is a lot less expensive than the prices I’ve seen elsewhere.  There are plenty of other discounted shoes to check out before the sale ends on 12/9/09.

Zappos is currently offering free overnight shipping for life if you sign up for their VIP program, which is free to join.  Although Zappos already offers free standard shipping on their orders, it’s always nice to place an order and get it by the next day (Less waiting on hot shoes? Score!) and definitely worth if you think you might place even just one order anytime soon.  VIP customers also get access to exclusive benefits and features.  Sign up by 12/10/09 to redeem this offer.

Today is the last day of the Nine West Friends and Family Sale, which automatically takes an extra 30% off your order at checkout.  It gets even better if you find a pair marked “Take 30% off!  Discount seen at checkout” because it means you get to double dip your discount - i.e. 30% off is taken twice.  Or, get the extra savings on top of any of their sale shoes.  For instance, the New Balance for Nine West Dahlia is on sale for $49.99, but drops to $34.99 at checkout.  I’m also checking out the Nine West Salika strappy boot (pictured), which has a similar look to the $1,195 Christian Louboutin Nitoinimoi at Barney’s, but will only set you back $110.25 (originally $225) after all of the discounts.  To top it off, shipping is also free on any purchase.  Expiration: 12/7/09

DSW has a new coupon code for December that takes $10 off orders $49 or $20 off $99 or more.  Apply code 2XLOVE at checkout for the discount.  That makes many of their under $50 boots $10 lighter, like this Dollhouse Chikita.  It’s $49.95, but drops to $39.95 after code.  Or, if you spend $99 or more, you can opt for a free Steuben Glass crystal ornament ($125 value) instead.  Just add one of the ornaments to your cart and apply coupon code GLASSGIFT at checkout.  Both coupons expire 12/14/09.

The 40% off Black Friday sale may be over at Betsey Johnson, but you can still get 30% off.  Just enter coupon code FF2009 at checkout.  There isn’t a wide selection of shoes left right now, but the 30% off makes for great savings on what’s available.  It even applies to sale items.  The Betsey Johnson Kareas ankle boot in black or grey is $225.  After code, you’ll pay $157.50.  Expiration: 12/7/09

Note: If you like the Glitter Polly, they are $86.49 right now at Amazon.

Kohl’s has a coupon good for 15% off any order, including their selection of women’s shoes.  The code also works for Skechers Shape-Ups, which are already on sale and often excluded from coupon discounts at other stores.  Just apply SAVE4XMAS during checkout to get the savings.  The black and white Skechers Shape-Ups High Performance Shoes pictured here are on sale for $99.99 (originally $109.95), but drop to $84.99 after code.  Shipping is also free.  Expiration: 12/5/09.

*See the latest Skechers Shape-Ups discounts.*