Designers for Payless

[jitterbugbaby]

With all the Fashion Week madness going on, I thought I'd take a second to remind Shoeblog readers of how they, too, can quickly and easily get their hands on some designer shoes without selling any firstborn children in the bargain. Yes, I'm talking about Payless.

We've certainly mentioned some of the designers who are creating collections for Payless. And I've remained somewhat skeptical about the whole idea, because frankly, when a shoe costs $25, even if it looks great, there's just no way it could possibly be all that comfortable and long-lasting. I've also hit a point where I'm no longer happy to buy shoes that are cheap-looking versions of current trends just to have the trend. I'd rather go without the trendy shoe than get a really crappy version of it.

But I must give credit where credit is due. These Payless designer shoes are nice looking. So far, the Abaete and Lela Rose collections have been released for public consumption, and there's an Alice + Olivia line coming for spring. I love me some Alice + Olivia in a major way, so I can't wait to see those puppies.

In the meantime, though, let's take a gander at a few of the offerings you can snap up for yourself on Payless' website or in stores around the country.

From the Abaete collection, look at this uber classy looking Audrey-Hepburnesque Debra wedge. It comes in this chocolatey brown color with the copper band and also black with a silver band across the toe. In all honesty, I can tell you right now that the narrowness of the pointy-toe will hurt me, and the material would probably cut into my feet, but for $25(!)... I really might not care.


But another shoe from this collection that I love and could very well actually wear is the Linda low boot. This boot is tres chic, my friends. Patent leather. Lucite low wedge heel. Toe that's a perfect compromise between pointy and rounded. This boot is feminine with an edge, and I think it's excellent. Plus, it's only $48.


Much as the Abaete shoes are fun and funky with flair, it's the Lela Rose shoes that knock my socks off.

Just look at the perfectly feminized masculine Addle Hill flat. Fantastic! And $25!


And look at the pseudo Victorian/Edwardian vibe going on with the Turnmill boot (only $40). Lela is hitting all my shoe kinks. Plus, at 2.5 inches, it's still a manageable height. Sure, the materials are manmade, so that pretty suede texture won't be there, and the faux leather probably looks it, but still... that is a **** sexy boot!


And in case she hasn't won your heart yet, there's also the Teeny Toes line of infant shoes including this painfully adorable Little Lamb bootie, which will keep your baby in style and adorability for $17.


Everyone say it with me now: AWWWWWW.

[moyersshoesQuakertownPenn]

Payless is really impressing me, all their different ventures. My jaw hit the floor when they purchased Stride Rite, and the CEO promised SR would never be stocked in their stores. One of many interesting things...