Look for Less: Buckled Booties
by Amanda Mull
Alexander McQueen is oft-imitated and never duplicated, but you can’t hold it against a girl for trying. The Alexander McQueen Ski Ankle Booties ring in at four figures, and that’s just not in everyone’s shoe budget. Luckily, the Ash Egoist Cuff Boots have a similar feeling without being an obvious rip-off, and the price is much more palatable.
These particular McQueen booties are one of my favorite winter shoes so far, and the detailing is, naturally, exquisite. They have a punk feel without a sloppy punk execution, and if I had a pair, I’d probably wear them every day from November to March. Sadly, I don’t have a pair and I doubt I will before my springtime shoe deadline arrives.
The Ash booties, on the other hand? Those are a much more realistic option as an addition to my shoe closet. The materials aren’t as nice and the detailing isn’t as impressive, but the overall impression is similar – lots of straps, buckles and layering to create a proto-punk bootie for a cool downtown girl.
Buy the McQueen Booties via Saks for $1495.
Buy the Ash Booties via ShopBop for $265.
omg i really like the ash booties a lot! I feel the need to buy them
Allow me to enable you for a second: do it! Ash shoes are so reasonably priced and the quality is usually pretty good, particularly considering how much less they cost than most shoe lines. I’m a big fan of their product.
VERY good interpretation of the McQueen
I like both pair. The McQueen’s maybe a little too edgy for me. If the studs were flat black like the other pair, I would like them more.
Have to say i prefer the Ash
Love the Ash pair! I’ll have to head over to Neiman or Saks to try them on asap. I actually prefer them over the McQueen, since they have more of a subtle edginess with the black hardware.