I bought my first pair of Alexandre Birman shoes a couple of years ago (when he was WAY under the radar) and I paid around $500 for a pair of python platform shoes– they were cute but nothing to write home about.  I thought he’d focus on well priced exotic items without giving much attention to design but judging from these wedge booties, it’s clear he’s got an eye for shoe design, exotic skin or not.  Love the slight dip in the front, wedge boots can get clunky but with the dip it’s elegant and edgy.  These remind me of Margiela boots or Demeulemeester (at slightly better prices).  I do have to say that Birman shoes are not the most comfortable, so I have to try these on before recommending.  What do you think? 

Alexandre Birman Dip-Front Wedge Ankle Boots for $525

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Can you believe my husband actually found these for me? Well, he showed me the Need Supply website to reference some technology thing and I immediately stopped listening to him because I was so focused on ordering these. I love high but my back needs flats, the wedge + platform combo gives me the height without a back injuring pitch. And the straps are way cool and architectural, notice how the first and third strap goes all the way down to the sole! The heel zip is great for holding the foot in place, which is good because you do not want to trip in these. The best part really is the Frugal Snob buy, my bank account is relieved to find shoes that are a fraction of what I normally pay, Jeffrey Campbell Sheman Wedges at Need Supply for $175. The khaki is actually a military green but it is FAB! These run big so order a size down (only comes in whole sizes).

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Alexander Wang Resort 2011 Booties

Finally! Booties that are hot and don’t come with a four-figure price tag! How gorgeous are these Alexander Wang resort booties? They’re from the same collection, yet offer distinctly different looks. The first pair, in beige lizard print cowhide, is the Noemi combat bootie. With a 110mm heel height, it’s not for the wary or wobbly, but once strapped on, it’s Rihanna tough. I love the Velcro-like buckles across the front that show just enough toe cleavage to be sexy but at the same time whisper a masculine toughness. The second pair, meanwhile, leans more on the conservative side with its simple whipstitch lace-up design in baby calf. The Sofi has a 100mm heel height and an angled toe that’s reminiscent of an equestrian vibe. Love the heel design of both shoes–not quite a stiletto but definitely not a stacked heel. While the Noemi is clearly aimed at a younger woman, the Sofi spans all ages. It’ll look as chic with jeggings as it will with cashmere Michael Kors slacks.

$685 (Noemi) & $625 (Sofi), available at www.alexanderwang.com

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Every season you need a pair of booties like this, easy, everyday, elegant. The cutouts really make these stand out at this season’s must have, it allows you to wear it with the right skirt or dress. There is something about a shoe that is simple and well made that must makes me twitterpated (been reading Bambi with my kids), I guess it is my general love and appreciation of shoes. The seamlessness with the subtle stitching at the toe is so perfect and enchanting – something only the shoe obsessed can relate to =) At Net-a-Porter for $785.

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Having launched a namesake, high-end jewelry collection and written a best-selling book offering young women tips for getting ahead, 28-year-old Ivanka Trump is preparing to expand her name. Not satisfied with the price-friendly handbag collection with Mondani arriving next March, Ivanka has teamed up with Marc Fisher Footwear to debut a collection of moderately priced footwear for Spring 2011, which includes a mix of stilettos, flip-flops, sneakers and ballet flats. What do you think of the collection? Actual prototypes aren’t available yet, but based on these sketches, they remind me a bit of what Stuart Weitzman does (Ivanka has actually worn his shoes on more than one occasion). What did you think she was going to be selling? Louboutin wannabes? In all the years I’ve know Ivanka, she’s always been very grounded, hardworking and business-minded. I fully expected that her shoe line would be geared towards the masses–women, who like her, actually work for a living. I have no doubt that these shoes will be very comfortable. As for glamorous? We’ll have to wait to see.

The 75-to-100-style line is tentatively priced between $80 and $140.

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I saw this pair of booties by Nicholas Kirkwood for Rodarte at Barneys before I left for my monthlong trip to Asia and there was no doubt that I had to have them. They are so insanely fabulous that I completely forgot about my bad back.  I mean, just the pleasure of looking at them daily in my closet was worth it.  The futuristic industrial design is straight out of Mad Max but the construction is as solid as they come.  I put the anti slip guards on the bottom which made them much easier to walk in (though I do not recommend them as a walking shoe!).  Seriously, I won’t need to worry about what to wear because these shoes will make anything look hip and fab!  At Barneys New York.   

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As Shoe Snob Sasha pointed out Miu Miu’s shoes have been rockin’ lately. Loving how much attention these Forma cutout sandals ($750) demand! I can just imagine myself wearing them on one of those days where I need to look put together and fashionable, but don’t have the mental engergy to put together an interesting outfit. These sandals would instantly make even the most boring pencil skirt with tucked-in tee ensemble look eye-catching. Add to that a statement necklace and you’re golden!

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There is nothing worse than cheap shoes. I sound like a broken record but after my back injury I am more careful than ever when choosing my shoes. I am currently on a daily Birkenstock regime (as prescribed by my Chiro) but in the evenings I’ve been wearing my regular shoes. I am finding that Louboutins do not do any further damage but YSL shoes throw my joints all out of whack again. Apparently, with shoes, you really do get what you pay for. Interesting, huh? If you have a moment, please watch this video on counterfeit shoes, it reveals the sites that sell fake Loubs, YSL, Manolos, etc. The news team goes to China to investigate sites that sell designer shoes at a discount. Have you ever purchased a pair of counterfeit shoes online? Share your story!

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Flashback to 1984 and you’d see me in these studded punk flats (but mine were from Mia!).  Truth be told, flats with stiff soles hurt me more than heels so I shouldn’t buy these but I am so tempted to just for old time’s sake!  Anyone who grew up in the 80s will agree with me that a pair of studded flats and a pair of black lace leggings will take you a long long way (bonus if you have a stack of black rubber bracelets)!  I mean, they are reasonably priced at $127 so maybe I should do it.  What do you think?

Candela Studded Punk Flats here for $127

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It’s no secret that designers are inspired by one another, so much so in fact that you can’t even bet that a shoe is a Loubie just because it has a red sole anymore! With that in mind, can you guess who designed the shoe below? Where you right? Wrong? Share with us why in the comments and see the answer after the jump!

Badgley Mischka Hyde, $150

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Angelina Jolie is not one for too much flash and sparkle (I think there’s enough attention on her with her husband and kids). So it’s no surprise that that aesthetic goes for her shoes as well. Even when I have seen her in Louboutins, they’ve been a conservative kitten heel, proving my point that for Angelina, style notwithstanding, comfort is key. For the L.A. premiere of her new film, “Salt,” the actress donned a pair of nude patent peep-toe shoes with gold metal heels which she paired with a sparkly beaded Emporio Armani beaded minidress (again, another failsafe choice). Upon further inquiring, these shoes were made exclusively for Angelina (amethyst and black are available to customers and are in stores now). Angelina loves a good peep toe heel; with her larger foot, it creates a distraction for the eye and, in a way, helps re-proportion her feet to appear a bit smaller. All in all, it’s a pretty conservative shoe–but, hey, if the shoe fits…

$770, available at Ferragamo boutiques

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While there are plenty of other shoes on my must-have list for fall for the ladies, none better encapsulates sheer style and practical everyday chic than Stella McCartney’s faux patent leather asymmetric kitten heel slingback. While 5-inch Louboutins will never lose popularity, for the majority of women, it must be a sigh of relief the declaration by designers almost unanimously that kitten heels are the shoe du jour for fall. These Stella heels are refined and just so classy; they’re the perfect complement to the season’s return to monochromatic, simple dressing. I adore the asymmetrical cut of the fabric across the bridge of the foot; it’ll look so chic with a below-the-knee pencil skirt or wide leg trousers! Available in two heel heights–the lower heel is 70mm–and because Stella doesn’t work with leather, they’re instead made of 52% polyurethane, 31% polyester and 17% cotton. I’m not quite sure which color I love more: the desert hue is fresh and matches universally; the ruby is young and spirited and energetic and the lead pair is more conservative and 100% business. Ladies, get all three if you can! $645, available at Stella McCartney boutiques.

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Photography by Vinnie Merlot

Karen is an entrepreneur extraordinaire (she founded Purple Lab), a super sweet girl to have as a friend and the greatest shoe snob EVER!! Not only does she have the craziest collection, she gets them professionally photographed (some of you might recognize Carrie Bradshaw’s front door steps in some of these). OK, now that is true love!! For that, she is crowned our Shoe Snob of the Week. She has the sickest collection of a true collector – practical does not come to mind when perusing her shoe closet so as a spectator, it is spectacularly satisfying.

Yellow Cork with Satin: Stella McCartney

Bright Blue: Balenciaga

Silver and Black: Nicholas Kirkwood

Hot pink/black/white Sling Back: Nicholas Kirkwood

Green Python: Proenza Schouler

Nude wedge w/ ankle straps: Givenchy

Black wedge w/ ankle straps: Givenchy

Nude shoe with snake up leg: Balenciaga

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Everyone has been talking about Princess Victoria of Sweden’s marriage to her trainer, Daniel Westling. But I’m more interested in her good taste in shoes! OK, I’m lying, of course I am intrigued by HRH marrying a commoner. But, he did help her through her eating disorder. She was seen wearing these Tod’s cutout ballerina flats on her honeymoon to Tahiti. The cutouts are current but of course the Tod’s ballet flat is classic and as always, fit for a Princess. This is from the current season and are available in stores for $425. Call Carla at Tod’s in Beverly Hills 310-285-0591.

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Guest blog by Sasha Charnin Morrison, Fashion Editor of US Magazine and Author of “Secrets of Stylists”

Oh, Miu Miu…how do I love thee? Let me count the ways…by starting here. This boot makes me like a hooker on crack-completely addicted. But my drug of choice would be shoes. Oh, I just love the look, the height, the zipper, the blackness, the coolness factor. I missed out a few years ago when Tara Subukoff created a line for Easy Spirit-the idea of the boot was similar. But this is like the “Brando” version. $950. antiqued leather, long trouser style so my leather will drag on the ground of the streets of NYC and get trashed and worn out. Oy! Can’t wait!

I think I’ve blogged about this boot at least 10 times. If I keep going back to it, then that’s the sign to purchase and possess. Alll I need now is for it to not fit.

At Neiman Marcus here.

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There have been a bunch of times where I’ve been out and spotted a pair of shoes on someone and I’ll ask about them and end up in complete shock when I find out that they’re $100 pumps from a store like David Z. Other times I’ll find myself at a place like Intermix and pick up shoes that look like they cost $20 to make and see a $1,200 sticker! Do you find that, that same thing happens to you regularly? It’s hard to say what a shoe is worth without actually trying it on and feeling the materials, but since many of us do lots of online shopping I thought it would be fun to see if you can guess the price of the above pumps. Jump for the answer!

Michael Antonio Lexa, $75

Were you fooled into thinking they were more expensive?? Please share why or why not in comments:)

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Guest blog by Sasha Charnin Morrison, Fashion Editor of US Magazine and Author of “Secrets of Stylists”

These are absolutely sick-and that means that when I put them on I felt extremely good, great, beyond marvelous. Why? Well…just look at them! Leopard prints are HUGE for fall. I guess with so much nude colored clothing and black and white, what’s a girl who’s ferocious supposed to wear? I love the heel, the way it looks on my foot but most importantly, I love attention these got me a lot of it on that special Saks shoe floor. When other women, men, children, salespeople…even dogs stop and stare…you know it’s a winner! I won’t be able to run in them but I will certainly stop traffic.

YSL Pumps Tributetoo Leopard available at Saks Fifth Avenue for $880

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Talk about drag queen chic! I spotted these two fabulous pairs of shoes at the 5th Avenue Versace boutique in NYC and had to immediately try them on. They’re truly works of art. Unfortunately they don’t work as well in real life as they do on the runway, but unlike so many other shoes that come with $1,000-plus price tags, these at least look like what they cost (around $1,500). I wish I could just buy these for fun, but there’s no way I could justify spending the money just to be able to look at them and wear them around my apartment. Literally, I felt like I was going to fall face first when I was walking around the boutique!

What do you think about these shoes? Too much?

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We’ll take a pair of heels over sneakers most any day, but when it comes to getting into shape, you can’t exactly do that in a pair of Loubies! Get ready for back-to-school season or tone-up for a beach day with these metallic Lacoste ZhandraMoR shoes. We are giving away 4 pairs!

To win, follow Lacoste and Shoe Snob on Twitter and leave a comment below! We will choose a winner via random computer drawing on July 23 (US Residents only please). Re-tweet with: Follow @Lacoste and @ShoeSnob to win 1 of 4 Lacoste shoes!

Description of the shoe after the Jump. Thank you to our sponsor Lacoste!

Zhandra MoR is a mix of a sprint and a yoga shoe. It is collapsible and features zig-zag edges on the leather trim that was inspired by golf gloves. It also features a colorful patterned sole to provide this elegant but practical shoe with its fun side.

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