What’s better than a designer shoe? A designer shoe that doesn’t come with a designer price tag, of course. Between flash sales, discount sites, and outlets, it’s easier than ever to score some luxury heels, kicks, or wedges for your closet.
It’s about shopping smart, not hard.
Here are some of our favourite places to shop discount designer shoes online.
DSW
DSW (or Designer Shoe Warehouse) is a no-brainer for scoring mid-level designer shoes for a fraction of their original price. No overly strategic shopping is needed here — you can nab brands like adidas, Steve Madden, Timberland, and Frye all the time on DSW’s site. They even allow you to filter by your preferred brand.
Pro tip: to make sure you’re actually getting a deal, look for “Comp. value” labelled on your shoe of choice. That phrase indicates you’re getting a discount. Otherwise, you’re just paying the full price that you’d pay from the brand itself.
Nordstrom Rack
Nordstrom gives you two unique ways to save on designer shoes. The first, Nordstrom Rack, works exactly like a regular retail website. Stock that didn’t sell at Nordstrom proper (or was made specifically for the Rack) is listed on the site for purchase. Brands you’ll find here include UGG, Tory Burch, Cole Haan, and more.
Hautelook
Nordstrom’s second option is Hautelook, a flash-sale site, meaning you have a very limited time (usually 24-72 hours) to pick from a selection of products before everything is either a) sold out, or b) unlisted from the site. Shopping for designers via Hautelook will require some real patience — sales are hit or miss, and the designer or brand you want may only come up once every few months. You can sign up for their daily newsletters, and you can navigate the site by product to keep up with the different events being hosted. Eventually, you’ll find a gem.
Beyond the Rack
Beyond the Rack works the exact same way as Hautelook, with one noticeable difference: it’s Canadian! This flash-sale site has all of the perks of other sites like it, but with a nice break on shipping for Canadians. Just like with Hautelook, patience is key. BTR may not sport as many brands as other sites, but it keeps up pretty well. Plus, they sometimes feature Canadian brands, like Matt & Nat!
Barneys Warehouse
Now we’re into the really, really luxe stuff. Barneys is where you want to be if you want anything designer, and Barneys Warehouse is where you want to be if you want those things without emptying your entire wallet (you can also pick up a new wallet there, if the spirit moves you). The designers it boasts could knock a brand-lover to their knees, with names like Versace, Fendi, and Gucci on its roster. Or, perhaps Tom Ford is more your speed? Whatever your choice, you’re likely to find it at Barneys.
The Outnet
Another hotspot for extremely high-end brands, The Outnet claims designers like Altuzarra, Stuart Weitzman, and Acne. Everything is on sale all the time for up to 75% off. Just be sure to watch the prices, which are listed in American dollars, to ensure you’re really getting the best deal.
Neiman Marcus Last Call
Chloé, Dior, Manolo Blahnik, Givenchy… You get the idea. Carrie Bradshaw probably wishes she had access to a site like Last Call, where a pair of her beloved Manolos can be found at 20% off or more. For even deeper discounts, head to the website’s clearance section, where you can find deals for up to 80% off the sale price.
Bluefly
Bluefly does things differently from the rest. While you can shop luxury brands for less, they also have a pre-owned section! Shoes are only available in the regular discount section, but who’s to stop you from browsing some pre-loved bags while you’re there? The shoe section has the likes of Marc Jacobs, Valentino, and Saint Laurent. The only caveat is that shipping to Canada has to be done through MyUS.com.
Saks Off 5th
If you don’t live near a brick and mortar location of the discount designer retailer, you’ll be happy to hear that you can also shop Saks Off 5th online. Online, you’ll find a larger selection with discounts of up to 70% off. Labels you’ll discover here include Stuart Weitzman, Jimmy Choo, and Badgley Mischka, to name a few.
Featured image: Instagram/@bluefly