It’s no secret that I’m obsessed with fancy footwear. In fact, one glance at my closet leaves most people wondering whether I even wear the same pair twice.  A sale, you say? I’ll be at the store when it opens, credit card in hand while borderline foaming at the mouth. Ohhh Christian, Giuseppe, and Manolo, why must you taunt me with your irresistible eye candy? In an ideal world, retail therapy would be covered by health insurance, but who can afford to indulge in designer footwear while keeping up with ever-changing fashion trends?  Fortunately, for those of us rendered penniless from last season’s splurges, fast-fashion brands are skillfully mirroring designer footwear to provide us with access to high-end designs at a fraction of the cost. Chloe (which also happens to be my daughter’s name) is one of my favorite designers for everyday casual footwear. Apparently many other shoe designers have gotten the memo, as the French luxury fashion house’s designs are some of today’s most replicated styles.  As it turns out, imitation really is the sincerest form of flattery.

Chloe “Lauren” Scallop Espadrille Flat

Take the Chloe “Lauren” suede espadrilles (above), for instance. These warm-weather flats are equal parts feminine and playful and the scalloped edges provide a whimsical update to the traditional espadrille silhouette. At $495, these beauties are inaccessible for most. So what’s a girl to do?

Enter the Crown Vintage “Bahamas” flat.  Like the Chloe espadrille, these are made from luscious suede and feature feminine scalloped detailing that differentiate it from most others of its kind. Best part – these shoes are available for only $49 at DSW. Buy them here before they sell out.

The Chloe “Isa” Espadrille Wedge Sandal

It was truly love at first sight when I came across the Chloe “Isa” wedge while shopping at Nordstrom. I loved everything about it – the jute-wrapped wedge heel, the satin-finished gold-tone hardware, the oh-so subtle peep-toe, and the buttery-soft suede that cradled my foot ever so gently. After wiping the drool from my chin, I put these on my Spring wishlist and moved onto Bloomingdales. And that’s when I spotted “Adalyn,” Marc Fisher’s homage to the pricier Chloe wedge. Upon first glance these shoes look almost identical and only upon close inspection can one notice the discreet differences. For only $160, the Marc Fisher wedges are an affordable alternative with the same designer look.

It just so happens that Steve Madden has also jumped on the bandwagon with the release of his “Jaylen” espadrille wedge sandal, currently selling for only $60 at DSW.  Who could argue with that price?

The epitome of elegance and grace, the ballet flat is a classic shoe that will never go out of style. With its year-round wearability and versatility to match almost any ensemble, the ballet flat is undeniably one of the most important pieces in a woman’s closet. As a proud collector of Chanel ballerinas, you could say that I have elevated standards for purchasing flats. At first I was skeptical about the Chloe “Lauren” ballet flat and thought the scalloped trim may irritate the backs of my heels, but oh my, are these shoes comfortable! Priced at a whopping $495 at Neiman Marcus, these ballerinas are an investment piece. It can be hard to justify spending a small fortune on ballet flats, even if you painstakingly care for your shoes as I do.

The Chloe “Lauren” Scalloped Leather Ballerina Flat, $495 at Neiman Marcus

Leave it to French Sole NY to introduce their “Jigsaw” ballet flat, a ballerina that bears a striking resemblance to the pricier Chloe shoe. Available at Zappos for only $200, these are a steal! But it gets better – the French Sole scalloped flats are actually featured on Gilt.com for a limited time for only $155. Sizes are extremely limited so get yours here before they’re gone!