Page through any fashion magazine and the trendiest shoes are just begging you to buy them. But like Houston in July, the price tags for summer shoes are enough to make you faint. We spotted a pair of Christian Louboutin strappy black sandals that are very in vogue. But at $1,495 who can afford them? For about $30, Forever 21 has interpreted the buckled-up trend in black faux snake skin.
Gucci makes a gorgeous metallic T-strap sandal, if you have $1,200. Target's metallic T-strap also has a wedge, which is really popular this year. It costs just 30 bucks.
Two self-professed shoe lovers Anissa Paddock and Tobey Forney strapped on the sandals and headed to a local grocery store to get reaction from shoppers.
Shopper Nancy Gibbs said, "Those are sexy and chic. Those are very cute."
She guessed the price of those black sandals at $69. That's $40 more than we paid. Gibbs thought the silver shoes cost around $49. Not bad, but that's still 20 bucks more than the price.
In our unscientific study, more shoppers thought the metallic shoes were expensive compared to the black, but almost all guessed both cost more than $30.
"I see them in the magazines," said shopper Karen Gilmore. "Those are great. I like the layered look!"
Gilmore guessed the silver shoes cost somewhere between $80 and $120. She thought the black pair cost around $70.
Only one shopper busted both of our bargains, guessing the cost to be around $20 to $30.
They won the price contest but the Target shoes were not as comfortable as the other style from Forever 21, according to our testers.
"There's not a lot of material between my foot and the pavement so you really feel the impact every time you step," said Paddock.
Forney reported, "They're not rubbing or anything. They're really comfortable."
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Stores and prices:
- Forever 21 - Black 'gladiator' high heeled sandals - $28.80
- Target - Mossimo metallic T-strap heel - $29.99
- Payless Shoe Source - Canvas espadrilles - $19.99 (on sale from $25.99)
