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HauteMama · Oct 27th, 2009, 02:30 PM

I definitely think that most designer shoes are better constructed and use better materials than cheaper brands. However, I do NOT think that the differences in construction and materials can account for what is often a $300-500 or larger difference in price. And quality materials don't necessarily equate to longer wear. Indeed, a leather sole often does not hold up as well to walking on pavement or getting wet as a synthetic sole does, yet the leather sole is still considered higher quality (and it is almost always more comfortable).

So designer shoes are "better" in some ways, but whether they wear better or are worth the difference in price is very much a debatable issue.

jellybebe · Oct 27th, 2009, 05:19 PM

It really seems to depend, but in general I find that the biggest difference is between cheap ($50ish) and mid-range shoes ($200ish). My favourite ballet flats are Miu Mius because they are both comfortable and stunningly beautiful, but I find Bloch flats just as, if not more comfortable and they cost around $150. I like my Chanels too but they just aren't as comfortable on my feet, yet they cost the most.

Vintage Leather · Oct 28th, 2009, 04:50 PM

I think it depends a lot on the brand, what the shoe is made of, and how it is designed.

How do your feet rest in the shoe? I can't wear Louboutins. I love them, I keep trying them on - but the sharp transition from heel to toe kills my foot every time. By that same standard, I love Ferragamos because I find them comfy.

Every designer has a different Ideal Foot. Try a lot of different shoes on, look for sales, and see how it fits.

Rugged and quality aren't always a direct correlation.

pinkgoldfish · Oct 28th, 2009, 05:00 PM

A lot of them are, but not all...

plumaplomb · Oct 28th, 2009, 05:40 PM

By the time you get up to CL, Zanotti, Manolo, etc, you are really paying for the name.

flashy.stems · Oct 28th, 2009, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by pinkgoldfish

a lot of them are, but not all...

ita.

Brasilian_Babe · Oct 28th, 2009, 08:41 PM

Designer shoes are not necessarily better quality. I would say they are generally more confortable because they tend to be made of leather (including outer, lining and sole), whereas man made shoes can be stiff to walk in and made of sythetic non breathable material which in turns make you feet sweat and slip inside your shoes. However, i have a few relatively cheap pairs of shoes bought in Brazil and Spain that are full leather and are more confortable and have held up better than a lot of the designer shoes i have.

LVMademoiselle · Oct 28th, 2009, 08:50 PM

Tory Burch Reva lasted two years with heavy use and I think in general anything around 300 is good quality and good use.

serene · Oct 29th, 2009, 11:54 AM

I think I'm gonna buy just couple at first and see.. I love flats and maybe never wear anything else (=heels)

shoemanshoe · Oct 29th, 2009, 10:17 PM

Good question , in general yes designer shoes are made of higher quality leather, woods, hardware , etc , etc . Will these last longer than lower end shoes probably not. Do not forget these items are made of delicate expensive materials . A plastic polyurethane sole will probably last much longer than a birch wood , or leather . Same with plastic or cheaper hardware.

If you are wearing out shoes that fast then depending on your budget stay where you feel comfortable. If you just want shoes to walk to work buyer some nicer lower end shoes and have a larger collection.

Live within your budget and what makes you happy .

vesna · Oct 30th, 2009, 03:06 AM

My experience is with comfort, not longevity..Italian shoes are by far most comfortable even high heels ( I just can not stand walking in cheap high heels). Cheaper shoes tend to make the foot sweat, ache...better shoes, like Fiorentini and Baker boots, are indeed reasonably more expensive because they are of a high quality leather, lined with soft leather

spylove22 · Oct 30th, 2009, 12:22 PM

IMO, pricier shoes are better quality and worksmanship, but not necessarily comfort, they then tend to run narrower and in boots I can't ever find one that fits my calf.

JuneHawk · Oct 31st, 2009, 10:52 AM

IMO, the reason designer shoes last longer has nothing to do with the materials and everything to do with what you paid for them. You are bound to take better care of a shoe you paid $500 for than one you paid $50 for. I know I do!

I refuse to wear my designer shoes when it's raining or it's wet. I won't wear them in any other conditions that might soil or otherwise damage the shoe either. However, I have no qualms about doing this with cheaper shoes (unless I REALLY like them).

Raspberry · Nov 1st, 2009, 03:56 AM

I suppose designer shoes are made with better quality materials but not to such an extent to justify their cost.

What I do feel I am paying for is the architecture of the shoe. IMO expensive shoes have more elegantly cut uppers, better toe shapes, and a much more comfortable angle from toe to heel, especially at 4" heights or more. Plus wearing a more beautiful shoe makes me feel great, and I never see anyone else wearing the same, unlike when I wear a shoe from Nine West or Aldo.

Perfect Day · Nov 1st, 2009, 04:24 AM

mostly yes they are IMO

Oct 27th, 2009, 02:30 PM	#16
HauteMama Member Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 6,834	I definitely think that most designer shoes are better constructed and use better materials than cheaper brands. However, I do NOT think that the differences in construction and materials can account for what is often a $300-500 or larger difference in price. And quality materials don't necessarily equate to longer wear. Indeed, a leather sole often does not hold up as well to walking on pavement or getting wet as a synthetic sole does, yet the leather sole is still considered higher quality (and it is almost always more comfortable). So designer shoes are "better" in some ways, but whether they wear better or are worth the difference in price is very much a debatable issue.
HauteMama Member Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 6,834

Oct 28th, 2009, 04:50 PM	#18
Vintage Leather Dreamer and Shopper Joined: Jan 2007 Location: US Posts: 737	I think it depends a lot on the brand, what the shoe is made of, and how it is designed. How do your feet rest in the shoe? I can't wear Louboutins. I love them, I keep trying them on - but the sharp transition from heel to toe kills my foot every time. By that same standard, I love Ferragamos because I find them comfy. Every designer has a different Ideal Foot. Try a lot of different shoes on, look for sales, and see how it fits. Rugged and quality aren't always a direct correlation.
	__________________ My Grail Scarf: Les Trois Mousquetaires Everything with Turtles!! Grail Bag 32 cm 1963 black box kelly... HERMES TAMBOUR! Any colour, any leather - I'm not proud

Oct 28th, 2009, 05:00 PM	#19
pinkgoldfish Member Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Europe Posts: 3,369	A lot of them are, but not all...
	__________________ wishlist 2010: alma epi electric stressa azur I can buy no more small items!!

Oct 28th, 2009, 05:40 PM	#20
plumaplomb Member Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,922	By the time you get up to CL, Zanotti, Manolo, etc, you are really paying for the name.
plumaplomb Member Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,922	__________________ http://ebayfashionaddict.blogspot.com

Oct 28th, 2009, 08:41 PM	#22
Brasilian_Babe A Baby Bags & a Bike Joined: May 2006 Location: Brasil, Portugal, currently in Sydney (Australia) Posts: 1,518	Designer shoes are not necessarily better quality. I would say they are generally more confortable because they tend to be made of leather (including outer, lining and sole), whereas man made shoes can be stiff to walk in and made of sythetic non breathable material which in turns make you feet sweat and slip inside your shoes. However, i have a few relatively cheap pairs of shoes bought in Brazil and Spain that are full leather and are more confortable and have held up better than a lot of the designer shoes i have.
	__________________ "I have the simplest taste. I'm always satisfied with the best." - Oscar Wilde My style diary Wishlist: - Gucci satin corset shoes in a size 35 to 36 - Christian Louboutin Anemone in a size 35 - Chanel luxe ligne bowler in salmon pink Please PM me if you see any of these

Oct 27th, 2009, 05:19 PM	#17
jellybebe loves pink!!! Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 8,020	It really seems to depend, but in general I find that the biggest difference is between cheap ($50ish) and mid-range shoes ($200ish). My favourite ballet flats are Miu Mius because they are both comfortable and stunningly beautiful, but I find Bloch flats just as, if not more comfortable and they cost around $150. I like my Chanels too but they just aren't as comfortable on my feet, yet they cost the most.

Oct 28th, 2009, 08:50 PM	#23
LVMademoiselle Member Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 106	Tory Burch Reva lasted two years with heavy use and I think in general anything around 300 is good quality and good use.
LVMademoiselle Member Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 106

Oct 29th, 2009, 11:54 AM	#24
serene OP Member Joined: Mar 2008 Location: Finland/Denmark Posts: 1,576	I think I'm gonna buy just couple at first and see.. I love flats and maybe never wear anything else (=heels)

Oct 29th, 2009, 10:17 PM	#25
shoemanshoe Member Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 55	Good question , in general yes designer shoes are made of higher quality leather, woods, hardware , etc , etc . Will these last longer than lower end shoes probably not. Do not forget these items are made of delicate expensive materials . A plastic polyurethane sole will probably last much longer than a birch wood , or leather . Same with plastic or cheaper hardware. If you are wearing out shoes that fast then depending on your budget stay where you feel comfortable. If you just want shoes to walk to work buyer some nicer lower end shoes and have a larger collection. Live within your budget and what makes you happy .
shoemanshoe Member Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 55

Oct 30th, 2009, 03:06 AM	#26
vesna Member Joined: Jan 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 1,016	My experience is with comfort, not longevity..Italian shoes are by far most comfortable even high heels ( I just can not stand walking in cheap high heels). Cheaper shoes tend to make the foot sweat, ache...better shoes, like Fiorentini and Baker boots, are indeed reasonably more expensive because they are of a high quality leather, lined with soft leather
	__________________ Vesna My collection

Oct 30th, 2009, 12:22 PM	#27
spylove22 Member Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,470	IMO, pricier shoes are better quality and worksmanship, but not necessarily comfort, they then tend to run narrower and in boots I can't ever find one that fits my calf.
spylove22 Member Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,470

Oct 31st, 2009, 10:52 AM	#28
JuneHawk Let's get some shoes Joined: May 2007 Location: South Florida Posts: 2,634	IMO, the reason designer shoes last longer has nothing to do with the materials and everything to do with what you paid for them. You are bound to take better care of a shoe you paid $500 for than one you paid $50 for. I know I do! I refuse to wear my designer shoes when it's raining or it's wet. I won't wear them in any other conditions that might soil or otherwise damage the shoe either. However, I have no qualms about doing this with cheaper shoes (unless I REALLY like them).
	__________________ "I don't suffer from a shoe addiction, I enjoy every minute of it." LOOKING FOR: I NEED CL Nude Patent Mad Mary 38 NEED Alexandra Neel Silver Gisele 38 CL Nude Patent Clichy Strass 38 CL Pompadouce in any color (although I prefer pink) 38 CL EB Suede Declic 38 or 37.5 *FOUND THEM!!!!* My Designer Shoe Collection

Nov 1st, 2009, 03:56 AM	#29
Raspberry Member Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,270	I suppose designer shoes are made with better quality materials but not to such an extent to justify their cost. What I do feel I am paying for is the architecture of the shoe. IMO expensive shoes have more elegantly cut uppers, better toe shapes, and a much more comfortable angle from toe to heel, especially at 4" heights or more. Plus wearing a more beautiful shoe makes me feel great, and I never see anyone else wearing the same, unlike when I wear a shoe from Nine West or Aldo.
Raspberry Member Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,270

Nov 1st, 2009, 04:24 AM	#30
Perfect Day Member Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 353	mostly yes they are IMO
Perfect Day Member Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 353	__________________ Doin Fine

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