Giuseppe Zanotti is a luxury brand that is highly coveted for it’s modern, sophisticated styles, but anyone with these shoes on their must-have list must get past their price tag first.  Case in point: the Giuseppe Zanotti E00330 pictured above, which retails for a hefty $695.  Luckily, we’re in the midst of end-of-season sales right now and you can get this pair for just $209.32 at Amazon (in size 6 or 9 only, as of this posting) or for $334 at Zappos.  That’s quite a reduction, but there’s a similar option for those who want to spend even less:

This is the Steve Madden Charmmer and it’s clearly a lookalike for the Giuseppe Zanotti pair, although there are a few differences - particularly in the heel - making it more of an “inspired by” version than a true knockoff.  But, there is quite a difference in price: the Steve Madden version is $109.95 at Stevemadden.com and your total gets even lower when you apply coupon code rmn20f to get 15% off and free shipping.  That adjusts the total to $93.46 shipped and it comes in black or olive.

I received an email from fellow shoe lover Rebecca, who is on the hunt for a lower-priced version of the Jimmy Choo Quinze, which can be found for $1,795 at Nordstrom in nude and for the same price at Jimmy Choo in black.  This is an absolutely gorgeous shoe, but it’s definitely a toughie to find anything that compares to it and I had to put my magic shoe wand on full throttle to find anything that even comes close.  So, are there inexpensive alternatives for the Quinze?  Unfortunately, after doing an extensive search I didn’t see any mesh, crystal-adorned booties for less.  That doesn’t mean we won’t see an inspired-by version at some point (I’ll update this post if I see one), but if anyone knows of something similar, please help Rebecca out.  In the meantime, I’ve found some shoes that incorporate at least some of the same elements of the Quinze and are viable options, at least for the time being:

There’s no mesh in sight, but the Badgley Mischka Forrester has a string of bling across the vamp that reminds me of the Quinze.  Get these for $215 with free overnight shipping at Endless.

Similarly, the Pelle Moda Favilla has beads and crystals running all they way up to the ankle strap.  Endless has this pair for $188.95 with free overnight shipping.

The Steve Madden Fanfair comes in black or blush and features plenty of jewels in various sizes along the t-strap.  Get it for $99.95 at Stevemadden.com with free shipping using code SMFREESHIP or for $89.96 with free shipping at Zappos.

The Boutique 9 Denya doesn’t have jewel or rhinestone detail, but it is a mesh bootie adorned with pretty flowers.  Get it for $129.95 at Shoebuy and 15% off with coupon code FIFTEEN for a limited time.

Get some serious sparkle for much less with the Celest Hana-08 for $28.50 at Urban Originals.

To get an even closer lookalike for the Quinze, you may have to take matters into your own hands…literally.  Get a plain mesh bootie, like the Aldo Schade (pictured above) for $44.98 or this super-cute tie-back mesh heel from Americlubwear for $27.99.  Add some super glue and loose rhinestones and go to town on the black piping for a creative DIY project.  I’m not quite sure how this will turn out, but it might just work for the crafty among us.

Any more suggestions for Rebecca?  Let us know in the comments!

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If you’re a bride-to-be looking for the perfect pair of shoes to wear on the big day and your “Something Blue” item, why not knock out two birds with one stone and wear a gorgeous pair of blue heels?  It’s something that’s become increasingly popular after those infamous blue satin Manolo Blahnik Something Blue heels stole the show in the first Sex and the City movie and because more and more brides are incorporating color into their look instead of sticking with all white.  I love the idea myself and I think I’d probably wear a blue pair instead of silver for my own wedding if I were to do it all over again.  I’ve definitely fallen for the Pour La Victoire Cami (pictured above), which is offered in a gorgeous shade of pale blue satin with rhinestone-covered rosette detail adding a modern twist.  You can get these at 6pm in blue, black or grey for $95.40, which is 40% the MSRP of $159.  Here are more options in various shades for those looking for their own perfect blue bridal shoes for less than $100.  Of course, you don’t even have to be a bride to appreciate and wear these blue beauties:

Me Too Jeanette in royal blue for $89 with free shipping at Zappos.  It’s also available in 6 additional color options, making it a viable bridesmaid option as well.

RSVP Zaza for $99 with free shipping at Zappos.  This is a close lookalike for the Manolo Blahnik Something Blue from SATC.  It also comes in black or gold.

I’m loving the unusually pretty hue of these blue shoes.  This is the RSVP Ivana and you can get this pair for $89 with free shipping at Zappos.  It’s also available in purple or black.

It’s your wedding day - make it sparkle with blue sequins!  The Chinese Laundry Ladybug is $88.95 with free shipping at Zappos.  It also comes in gold or black.  The RSVP Primrose is a similar option with a peep toe and you can get it at 6pm for $58.80.

I love the elegance of dark blue, so I think the RSVP Monique in navy is a sophisticated and stylish choice for brides.  These are $94 with free shipping at Zappos and also come in red or fuschia.

The whisper soft shade of blue and beautiful detailing on the back of this shoe make it as tempting and delicious as wedding cake.  Zappos has the RSVP Roma in blue, champagne or black for $84 with free shipping.

That’s all for my 7 blue bridal shoes under $100, but I also wanted to add this one to the list.  It’s over $100, but too pretty to leave out:

I love the soft shade of light blue, but if you prefer a brighter shade, the Pour La Victoire Stella also comes in royal blue satin and five other colors.  I’m loving the light pink version too.  Get these for $151 with free shipping at Zappos.

Congratulations to any bride-to-be out there and may your “Something Blue” item - whatever it may be - bring you plenty of luck!

P.S. Be a friend of Fairy Shoe Princess on Facebook!  Hit “Like” at the top of the page.

Since Earth Day 2010 is coming up tomorrow and it’s the 40th anniversary of the special day, I decided to turn the Star Designer spotlight on a brand-new line of eco-friendly footwear called Naya Shoes.  Naya, which is the Hindi word for “renewal” according to WWD, was officially launched on March 4 of this year by Brown Shoe, a company that operates Famous Footwear and Shoes.com and has a brand portfolio that includes Naturalizer, Via Spiga, Franco Sarto, Carlos Santana, Fergie and more. 

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Naya is the first company-owned (i.e. not licensed) brand launched by Brown in about ten years, so it’s definitely a rare venture for the company.  But the line is also unique because they’ve set out to make shoes that are cute, comfortable and environmentally friendly all at once.  It’s a tall order, but I have to say they’ve done a great job.  When I first came across a Naya pair, I definitely noticed the appearance of the shoe initially, which was exactly their intention.  Pat Hogan, general manager of Naya, tells the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that they were ”focused first on designing ‘beautiful’ shoes — and then looked for sustainable and biodegradable materials that could be used. The shoes are also created with comfort in mind.” 

According the the Naya Shoes website, they employ the use of the following materials whenever possible:

• Chrome-free or vegetable-tanned leathers
• Natural, organic or sustainable fabrics
• Heels made from sustainable bamboo
• Biodegradable latex foam cushioning
• Natural cork and rubber footbeds
• Outsoles made with recycled materials
• Nickel free metal buckles
• Recycled paper boxes
• Water soluble glues and cements

I’m definitely in support of shoes that can potentially benefit the planet and Naya shows that being fashionable and environmentally-friendly can go hand-in-hand.  I’m especially liking these styles:

Naya Atwood for $120 with free shipping from Shoes.com.

Naya Fowler in tan or black for $110 with free shipping at Shoes.com.

Naya Alamosa in red, black or taupe for $120 with free shipping at Shoes.com.

Naya Salida in brown, black or nickel for $110 with free shipping at Shoes.com.

Naya Timpas in yellow, green or brown for $124 with free shipping at Zappos.

Naya Arvada in white, red, brown or black for $124 with free shipping at Zappos.

Naya Arnelli in brown, white or black for $125 with free shipping at Shoes.com.

Naya Shoes are available at all of these online shoe stores, but it’s worth noting that if you purchase Naya from Shoes.com during the month of April, they will plant a tree for each pair.  Also, Naya will give away a free pair of their shoes if they reach 1,000 Facebook fans by April 22, and they’re really close to reaching that now, so be sure to become their friend and you just might score a pair for yourself!

I ran across the Chinese Laundry Sassyfras at LuLus today and thought it was adorable, plus it’s offered in a neutral shade that makes it infinitely wearable.  Besides the versatile color, I like that it’s a fairly simple shoe, but the extra details - such as the all-over circle cutouts and oversized buckle - really up the style factor.  I’m all about sites like LuLus that show their shoes being worn rather than just the shoe itself because you can’t really tell how cute this pair is otherwise.  However, LuLus only has two sizes left, so they are almost sold out (they have them for $85).  For additional size and color options, see Shoemall.  They offer luggage or black for $89.95 and coupon code PRCNT15 takes 15% off, making them $76.46 with free shipping.  There’s also a snappy red version, which you can find at Zappos for $89 with free shipping.

Update: After writing up this post, I realized that the Chinese Laundry website has this pair in all three color options for $89 and coupon code DIVASQUARE takes 20% off.  That makes them $71.20.  Shipping is also free through 4/16/10.

Spring always brings a surge of vibrant color to our lives and, naturally, those bright hues tend to show up in what we wear quite often.  Shoes, of course, are no exception.  While neutral shoes are on-trend this year and they work well with many looks, you have to admit it’s fun to forget about being sensible once in awhile and go for a pair of wildly colorful shoes, which are always in style when things heat up.  You can opt for one bright solid color at a time, which works well, or you can go all-out and get a pair that incorporates a rainbow of colors all in one.  Case in point: The Charles David Tangier (pictured above), which I absolutely adore.  It’s available at Zappos or Endless for $215 with free shipping.  In my mind (or in a figment of my imagination maybe), the classic Rainbow Brite doll would rock these like no one’s business - after getting all grown up and developing a serious love of fashion, of course. 

But, seriously, rainbow shoes can actually be quite versatile due to the range of shades you have to work with.  Cute summer tops and dresses in simple, solid colors tend to work best, but you can always be creative and mix it up, even with patterns in some cases, for an even bolder fashion statement. 

Let’s take a look at some more multicolored shoe options we have to choose from:

Faryl Robin Owen for $189.95 with free shipping at ShoeMall. Coupon code NEXJUMP takes 10% off, making them $170.95.

Jessica Bennett Myrtle for $144.95 with free shipping at Shoebuy.  Coupon code EASTER takes another 20% off until 4/9/10, which drops them to $115.96.

BCBGeneration Devona for $110 with free shipping at Shoes.com (limited sizes left).  Get 20% off with coupon code MSAVE at checkout, which reduces them to $88.  There’s also a few sizes available at Heels.com for $112.99 and Amazon for $110.

Luichiny Many Moons for $89.95 with free shipping at Shoebuy.  Coupon code EASTER takes another 20% off until 4/9/10, making them $71.96.

Gabriella Rocha Rosalie for $109 with free shipping at Zappos.

Finally, we have the Icora Kismet wedge, which is primarily neutral, but it has pretty multicolored rhinestones along the t-strap and a funky cutout wood heel, a sure standout.  Get these for $49.99 at Journeys.  If you buy 2 pairs, get $10 off your order for a limited time.

Update: I had to add this super-affordable option, the Anne Michelle Inferno 19, which is available at Urban Originals for $21.80.

Did you know that today, March 20, is officially the first day of spring?  To celebrate the end of dreary ol’ winter and usher in a bright new season, I thought it would be appropriate to talk spring shoes trends today.  I’m not one to follow every trend to a T, but I certainly find it fun to keep up with and I take it into consideration when making my own shoe purchases.  I’ve been keeping my eyes out for the latest in shoes this season and, I have to say, there are many different accounts of what’s hot right now.  But, there are a few that stand out as being generally agreed upon and a few that I would consider shoe subtrends - i.e. those smaller, fringe trends that provide plenty of variety and help round things out.  So, without further adieu, here’s a rundown of the spring trends I’ve found and my favorite examples of the shoes that incorporate them:

Neutrals 

Neutral shoes were big last year and they are back again this year - and for good reason.  Neutral shoes go with virtually everything - including those little pastel sundresses that so don’t work with our dear friend black.  Even though metallic sandals provide a similar level of versatility, neutral shoes have a nice bare leg effect when you pick a pair that is similar to your own skin tone.  Some even say it has a slimming effect, which certainly doesn’t hurt either.

Go for a classic silhouette you’ll wear again and again with the Nine West Escher taupe peep-toe pump.  Endless has it for $78.95 with free overnight shipping.

Go for a little more drama in the design with the Chinese Laundry Lucky Strike, available at Shoes.com for $80 with free shipping.  Get 20% off with coupon code MSAVE at checkout, making them $64.

Feminine details

This is one trend I’m personally loving.  Shoes that incorporate details like ruffles, flowers, bows and lace bring out your girly side and just make you feel pretty.  You can’t go wrong with that.

Combine the neutral trend with feminine flowers in the Kelsi Dagger Belize, which is available at Piperlime for $135 with free shipping.  Can I say just how much I love this pair?  Yes, this is true shoe love for me.

Go for girly-with-edge in the ruffled Jeffrey Campbell Quarry with the infamous unicorn heel.  These are available at LuLu’s for $139.  I love these with the lace tights.

The ruffled and zippered Dollhouse Kirna is super-lovely and nicely affordable too.  Get the best price at Shoes.com, where they are available in black or fuschia for $50.  They drop to $40 when coupon code MSAVE is applied at checkout.  Endless has them in more color options - green, black, blue, pink and white - for $51.95 with free overnight shipping.

Wedges

Wedges are always in, but particularly so this spring.  I love wedges because they give you flattering height, but they tend to be more comfortable than skinny heels.  Plus, they work well with many spring looks and can typically be dressed up or down.

Combine the neutral trend and the wedge trend with the Sam Edelman Kyla, which is offered at Shoes.com for $149 with free shipping.  They drop to $119.20 when coupon code MSAVE is applied. If they don’t have your size, try Zappos for $149 with free shipping.

Combine the feminine detail trend with the wedge trend (and get a great deal to boot) with the SM Ven Rosette wedge in six color options for $39.95 at DSW.  Coupon code KCOOK34 takes $5 off, making them $34.95, and code FREESHIP gives free shipping (enter both at checkout).  Expiration for these codes is unknown.

Oxfords

The oxford jazz flat seems to big right now and, to be honest, I’m personally not a big fan of this trend because I don’t find it very flattering.  However, I have seen oxford flats look pretty cute with cuffed jeans, so it can work with certain looks.  If I were to apply this trend, I’d go for an oxford with a twist (and a heel) in this awesome pair:

Get a variation on the traditional oxford style with the addition of lace and a unique heel with the 80%20 Hope Oxford from the Ce Ce Chin Collection (find more available color options here).  You’ll combine the oxford trend and the feminine detail trend with this shoe, which is available at Karmaloop for $175.  Coupon code CLINTON takes 20% off, making them $140.  The coupon expiration is unknown.

White shoes

Piperlime lists white sandals as a hot trend right now.  To me, there’s nothing like an amazing white pair of shoes for spring and summer, but it can be tricky to find the right one.  There’s always a fine line between a hot pair of white shoes and one that comes across as a bit cheesy.  Here are some that I think fall into the hot category:

The Naughty Monkey Parade is one of Piperlime’s white shoe examples and I’m loving it too.  The brown straps and heel provide a nice contrast for the white base color.  Get it for $80 with free shipping at Piperlime.

Combine the white trend and the feminine details trend with the gorgeous Betsey Johnson Amorita.  It’s available at Endless for $185 with free overnight shipping.

I also like the white version of the Dollhouse Kirna mentioned above, which you can get for $51.95 with free overnight shipping at Endless.

Tribal

Get a little wild this season with a tribal-influenced pair of shoes, which always add an exotic flair to your look.  Try out the trend with these pairs:

The Kelsi Dagger Grace has a tribal influence with its use of wooden beads, but it gets all dolled up with the addition of sparkling rhinestones.  Endless has it in 3 color options for $148.95.

Combine the tribal trend with the wedge trend in the Naughty Monkey Liggy, which has a dramatic printed heel.  Get it at Shoes.com for $85 with free shipping.  Coupon code MSAVE drops it to $68.

Clogs

Clogs are making a big comeback this year.  If you want a clog with a hefty dose of attitude, try this pair:

Steven by Steve Madden Durann for $149 at Shoes.com.  Coupon code MSAVE takes 20% off, making them $119.20 with free shipping.

Nautical

Get sailor chic this season with nautical-inspired shoes, which are clean, classic and fun to wear.

The Nine West Cawley in navy with cork platform and red heel will have you sailing into high style.  You can find this shoe at Endless for $88.95 with free 2-day shipping.

I’ll be covering any additional shoe trends I see in upcoming Hot Trends features, so stay tuned!

Note: The MSAVE coupon code for Shoes.com mentioned in this post expires 3/31/10.  All prices listed are subject to change.