The sixth and final season of MTV’s The Hills is currently underway and, of course, we’ve already experienced enough drama and antics in the first couple episodes to last us well through the end of the show (and far beyond for that matter).  It’s a show that’s always straddled the line between fiction and reality, but this season gives us even more reason to ponder what’s real and what’s not: Drug rumors, uber-extreme plastic surgery, people literally losing their sanity, Ryan Cabrera on yet another reality show - yes, we’ve seen it all. 

Spencer: It boggles the mind

I have to admit I’m a bit sad that it’s almost all over, but maybe it’s time.  Clearly, we’ve come a long way from the innocent, wide-eyed early days of the show when Lauren Conrad was just trying to make her way in the world.  And if Spencer and Heidi really are as crazy and out-there as they seem, they probably don’t need a platform to exhibit it to the world any more than they already have.  Of course, we know they have a history of playing things up for the camera, so Spencer’s super-aggressive, controlling, crystal-toting tendencies and Heidi’s blank, passive tolerance of him (breathe, Spencer, breathe) could be just for attention.  If so, it still indicates a bit of craziness on their part, don’t you think?  I mean, who does that?  I must say, however, that Spencer might just have better acting chops than I would have guessed if it’s fake - those bulging neck veins we see displayed during his many angry rampages are pretty convincing.

The good news is that the girls are getting along relatively well, aside from those pesky drug-use accusations Kristin receives in the first episode after not hanging with the ladies one night in Miami.  Kristen and Audrina, who were prone to bursts of yelling and name-calling last season, are now practically BFFs and even go shoe shopping together in one episode.  I guess it goes to show that time - and shoes - heal all wounds.  Justin Bobby being out of the picture doesn’t hurt either.

Audrina and Kristin try on some noticably cute shoes together at Madison in L.A. and I happened to find some of them.  Since these girls tend to love their high-end luxe designers, I also found some similar shoes that cost a lot less for those of us not on a MTV-star budget.  Let’s check it out:

Kristin Cavallari tries on the YSL Criss-Cross Ankle Strap Sandal, available at Saks Fifth Avenue for $795.  For lower-priced alternatives, try these:

Bebe Stacy for $149 in black or brown at Bebe.com.

Steve Madden Averry in cognac, black, olive or orange for $89.95 on preorder at Steve Madden.  Coupon code FF25 takes 25% off and adds free shipping, which makes them $67.46.  The expiration of the code is unknown.

Audrina tries out Givenchy Open-Toe Ankle Boots, which you can get at Saks for $790.  Here are some similar, but less expensive options:

Aldo Goodsite in black or cognac for $59.98 at Aldo.com.

Dolce Vita Lee for $201.25 at 6pm.

BTW, Audrina wears tan Prada knot sandals with her peach dress while on the shoe shopping excursion.  You can find one size available at Shopbop, but I haven’t seen them elsewhere or any close lookalikes.  Her dress is the Amanda Uprichard Joan for $194 at Piperlime.

Kristen also tries on a pair of black platform sandals, which we’ve seen her wear more than once.  For instance, she wore these shoes on the MTV After Show with her black lace one-shoulder dress.  They are the Miu Miu Swirl Platform Sandal, seen here at Polyvore:

It looks like they are sold out online.  Here are some similarly swirly pairs that are available now:

Max Studio Soraia sandal for $118.95 at Nordstrom.

Jessica Simpson Genaviv in black for $46 or in cognac for $36.80 at 6pm.  Additional sizes and colors are available at Amazon for $72.90 - $88.95.

Update: The platform sandals she wears while shopping are the Jimmy Choo Nixon, which are available in limited sizes at Bluefly, My Theresa and the official Jimmy Choo website.

In a promo pic for The Hills, Kristen wears a metallic wedge heel that looks like this Seychelles Kick Up Your Heels wedge:

It can be found at Endless.com for $89.95 with free shipping.  Sizes are limited in pewter.

There’s also the Season 6 promo video for The Hills that features some of the cast hanging from puppet strings, as well as a pair of beige zip-front shoes.  These shoes look really familiar to me, but I couldn’t quite place them (or find them).  Update: These are the Christian Louboutin Zipette, which are sold out online.  But, here are some lookalike pairs:

Calvin Klein Elise for $99 at Lord & Taylor.  Apply coupon code BIG for 15% off at checkout through 5/23/10.

Jessica Simpson Gobow for $89 at Macys.  Get free shipping with coupon code JOURNEY until 5/19/10.

Steve Madden Nanciee for $99.95 at Steve Madden.  Use code FF25 to drop them to $74.96 with free shipping (expiration unknown).

Any other shoes from the cast of The Hills you’d like to know about?  Let me know!

Images from MTV.com and OK! Magazine.

Clogs are all the rage this year and we’ve seen many modern updates on the classic style, like this Miu Miu Studded Platform Clog, which is available at Barney’s for $490.  This slingback style, seen worn by Kristin Cavallari of The Hills and Jessica Simpson recently, features a super-high platform, studs and interesting cutout/shape details.  While browsing the new shoes at Steve Madden, I noticed that they have a lookalike version of the Miu Miu clog available:

This is the Steve Madden Melrow, a close replica that is listed as being handcrafted.  The allover pale neutral color used here is different from the contrast provided by the darker wooden heel and studs on the Miu Miu clog, plus there are a few other small differences, but the shoe is clearly inspired by Miu Miu.  Stevemadden.com has this pair on pre-order for $149.95 and coupon code rmn15f will take 15% off and give free shipping, reducing them to $127.46.  They are expected to ship 5/28/10.

Wedges are extra-hot this year and the gladiator look keeps going and going - in various shapes and forms - so the Cynthia Vincent Roma wedge is a great option for incorporating these trends into your wardrobe in a more subtle, but highly stylish way.  Plus, the multiple straps, metallic accents and knotted detail add even more trendy appeal.  This pair is available in brown at Piperlime, in black at Bloomingdale’s or in brown or black at Jildor.  Free People also has a cool multicolored version and all are priced at $350.  But, if you can’t splurge that much on one pair of shoes - no matter how fab they are - we have more gladiator-inspired wedges that look very similar, but cost much less:

I wouldn’t call the Steve Madden Tuscaan a knockoff of the Cynthia Vincent Roma, because it isn’t an exact copy or replica, but it is an inspired-by version with a very similar look.  The best price I’ve seen is at Shoes.com for the cognac pair.  They have it for $89, but coupon code VISA takes 20% off at checkout, which drops them to $71.20 with free shipping (Visa payment may be required).  The code expires 6/30/10.  I’m also digging the other color options available, like blush and white, at Stevemadden.com for $89.95.

The price falls even lower at GoJane, where their Strappy Knot Slingback Wedge is available in black, cognac or brown.  This one looks like a very close copy of the Steve Madden pair, so I guess you’d call it a “knockoff of a shoe inspired by a designer pair” (that’s a mouthful).  Whatever you want to call it, you can get it for just $23.80.

There you have it: Three similar shoes, three price points, three options for what fits best into your shoe budget now.

You might recognize the lovely Brian Atwood Loca (pictured above) as the pair of shoes Sarah Jessica Parker wears as Carrie in Sex and the City 2 and, even though the movie isn’t out until May 27, you can get a jump-start on your own SATC style before it’s even released.  The Loca is available at Net-a-Porter for $800, quite a chunk of change, and there’s only 1 size available right now.  If you’re looking for a more affordable lavender studded heel lookalike for the Brian Atwood Loca, try this pair: 

The Steve Madden Twilitte is available at Steve Madden for $109.95 and you can get 25% off and free shipping with coupon code FF25 until 5/31/10.  It also comes in black.

I also spotted this Star Spangled Stiletto in black at Forever 21 for $25.80.  It doesn’t come in lavender, but I think it has a similar look to the Atwood pair.  Sizes are limited.

Update: Here’s a Brian Atwood Loca knockoff from GoJane.  It’s $29.90 and comes in black, grey or red.

Now the question is, would you pair your lavender stud heels with capri jeans and a belly-baring plaid shirt like Carrie does in SATC2?

Photo found on www.sexandthecitymovie.org

The addition of chains on shoes is an ideal way to exude a bit of rocker style and edge in a way similar to studs, but it’s a bit more of an unusual detail to find on footwear.  That’s why I’m loving this Christian Louboutin Chain-Embellished Wedge, which has a nice mix of silver hardware and raffia, along with a solid black heel for contrast.  If I had $625 to spend, I’d totally work the chain look this spring and summer in this pair.

Since I don’t have that much dough to spare at the moment (and there’s only a couple sizes left anyway), I’m happy to report that there’s another pair with a very similar look, but it costs way less.  This is the Dollhouse Dazie and, while it isn’t an exact replica, it definitely appears to be inspired by the Louboutin pair.  Plus, it’s just $49.99 over at Journeys, which is about $575 in savings.  I’d say that’s off the chain (and, yes, the pun is completely intended).

Note that the Dollhouse pair is currently backordered and is expected to be in stock on 5/8/10.

Update: Here’s another lookalike, the Bebe Thea Chain Espadrilles for $129 at Bebe.

The Christian Louboutin Coussin is definitely a hot cage ankle bootie that can be worn with a variety of looks - skirts, dresses, boyfriend jeans, leggings, you name it - for instant sex appeal.  The Coussin in black has been out for a few months, but now we also have a spring-ready beige version available for preorder at Saks.  Of course, you’ll have to shell out $1,595 to rock this style and, I don’t know about you, but my spring shoe budget isn’t quite there yet.

But, there’s a similar option that is equally hot and available for a much lower price.  Actually, if I’m being honest, I like this style even better!  The Boutique 9 Val is a gorgeous woven caged bootie with extra details - like the bow adornment at the ankle, open toe and side cutouts - that make it even more lust-worthy in my book.  You can get these in beige or black at Nine West on preorder for $199.  Shipping is also free for a limited time.  The only downside?  They don’t ship until 5/11/10.  That seems like forever when you’re waiting on a pair of shoes like this one!