Lusting after Pour La Victoire

[Shomore]

For those of you who have been Shoeblog readers for awhile, you may recall how I nearly swooned over <a href="http://www.shoeblog.com/blog/valentino-you-have-made-fall-beautiful/" target="_blank">last year's Valentino line</a>.

In particular, I would still love to own a pair of these delicious (<a href="http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446202 028&amp;FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492704617&amp; ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474399545537&amp;bmUID= 1220403054899&amp;ev19=1:1" target="_blank">and sold out)</a> booties:
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shoeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/valentino-bootie.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7710" title="valentino-bootie" src="http://www.shoeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/valentino-bootie.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="400" /></a></p>

<a href="http://www.shoeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/plv-black.jpg">
</a>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>(Originally $945 at Saks)</em></p>

But, budgets being what they are, I instead find myself turning to the <a href="http://www.pourlavictoire.com/collections.html" target="_blank">Pour La Victoire</a> brand to satisfy my lacey-shoe urges.

How are these for a lower-cost alternative?
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shoeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/plv-black.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7711" title="plv-black" src="http://www.shoeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/plv-black.jpg" alt="" width="480" height="360" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-2321118-10273706?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zappos.com%2Fn%2Fred irect.cgi%3Fq%3Dvz352637836z2%26zcj%3D1&amp;cjsku= 751696884" target="_blank"><em>Pour La Victoire 'Eden' <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">$284</span> $166.25-$193.23 at Zappos.com</em></a></p>

I think I actually prefer the lower 'shootie' height of these inspired-by copies.Â* Plus, if you are looking for a lighter spring color, the tan nubuck is a great spring neutral.
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shoeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/plv-tan-nubuck.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7715" title="plv-tan-nubuck" src="http://www.shoeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/plv-tan-nubuck.jpg" alt="" width="480" height="360" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?itemdescription=true&amp;itemCou nt=10&amp;startValue=71&amp;selectedProductColor=& amp;sortby=&amp;id=15725500&amp;parentid=W_SHOES_A LLSHOES&amp;sortProperties=+product.marketingPrior ity,-product.startDate&amp;navCount=20265&amp;navAction =poppushpush&amp;color=&amp;pushId=W_SHOES_ALLSHOE S&amp;popId=WOMENS_SHOES&amp;prepushId=&amp;cm_mmc =Performics-_-Affiliates-_-ShopStyle.com-_-Primary" target="_blank">(The tan is also available from Urban Outfitters for a relative steal at $158)</a></em></p>

<img src="file:///C:/DOCUME~1/ADMINI~1.SRV/LOCALS~1/Temp/moz-screenshot-10.jpg" alt="" />

<img src="file:///C:/DOCUME~1/ADMINI~1.SRV/LOCALS~1/Temp/moz-screenshot-11.jpg" alt="" />

I also love the allover lacework on both the original Valentino and the PLV version. This open design provides plenty of ventilation to keep your tootsies cool on hot summer days.Â* In addition, I think this is a great interpretation of the recent open-toe bootie mini-trend; one that is lovely enough on it's own that it will last through many years without looking dated as is likely happen with many of the more

Plus, the<a href="http://http://www.shopbop.com/eden-punched-open-toe-oxford/vp/v=1/845524441838681.htm?folderID=2534374302079716&amp; extid=affprg-2321118-VICTO2003010192" target="_blank"> </a><a href="http://g-images.amazon.com/images/G/01/Shopbop/pcs/media/images/products/victo/victo2003010192/victo2003010192_prod_medium_v1_m56577569831454483. jpg" target="_blank">PLV Eden is available in grey,</a> white (if you can find it), and an <a href="http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-2321118-10457058?url=http%3A%2F%2Fpiperlime.gap.com%2Fbrow se%2Fproduct.do%3Fpid%3D656239012%26tid%3DPLAF1%26 ap%3D2%26siteID%3D%25zp&amp;cjsku=656239012" target="_blank">absolutely amazing blue suede</a> (this would blend so well with my clothing wardrobe).
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shoeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/plv-eden-blue.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7712" title="plv-eden-blue" src="http://www.shoeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/plv-eden-blue.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="400" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>(<a href="http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-2321118-10451141?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shopbop.com%2Feden-punched-open-toe-oxford%2Fvp%2Fv%3D1%2F845524441838681.htm%3Ffolder ID%3D2534374302079716%26extid%3Daffprg-%25zp-VICTO2003010192&amp;cjsku=VICTO2003010192" target="_blank">Grey is $292 at Shopbop</a><a href="http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-2321118-10451141?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shopbop.com%2Feden-punched-open-toe-oxford%2Fvp%2Fv%3D1%2F845524441838681.htm%3Ffolder ID%3D2534374302079716%26extid%3Daffprg-%25zp-VICTO2003010192&amp;cjsku=VICTO2003010192" target="_blank">,</a> <a href="http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-2321118-10457058?url=http%3A%2F%2Fpiperlime.gap.com%2Fbrow se%2Fproduct.do%3Fpid%3D656239012%26tid%3DPLAF1%26 ap%3D2%26siteID%3D%25zp&amp;cjsku=656239012" target="_blank">Blue is $280 at Piperlime</a>)</em></p>

Yummy. I could use a blue summer shoe. Maybe I'll get lucky and this will go on sale in my size, making it an ever better deal...a girl can dream. Decisions, decisions...too bad I can't get one in each color.

<img src="file:///C:/DOCUME~1/OWNER~1.MX3/LOCALS~1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" />