My First Pair of Designer Shoes Still Look Brand-New 3 Years Later—Here's Why

best-embroidered-shoes-273111-1542689319782-main

(Image credit: @fitzpatrickerin)

I posted the above photo on my Instagram a few years ago. Since then, I've been wearing my beloved Aquzzura Alix pumps consistently—they've been to many a fashion party, endured an accidental detour in the mud, gotten a drink spilled on them, and driven hundreds of miles around Los Angeles. The best part? They've hardly shown any wear. The colorful print, embroidery, and dark background all serve to hide normal wear and tear, so my shoes still look almost new three years later.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, I have majorly regretted buying shoes that started to show wear immediately. I had a pair of light pink suede shoes that somehow got dirty from simply walking around my office. Ditto with a pair of white boots. Now I'll never invest in a pair of designer shoes if I have to be extra careful not to get them dirty—it's just not worth the hassle to me when I can opt for darker colors and printed shoes that won't show wear as easily. In that vein, scroll down to shop my favorite embroidered shoes right now.

Shop Printed Shoes

Next up, see how Meghan Markle and Cindy Crawford style the same pair of shoes

Associate Director, Fashion News

Erin got her start as aBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing intern over 13 years ago—back when the site only published a single story per day. (Who What Wear has since increased that number twentyfold.) She graduated magna cum laude from USC, which is how she ended up moving to Los Angeles from her hometown of San Diego. In college, she also interned at Refinery29, where she was promoted to editorial assistant and then assistant editor. After nearly three years at R29, she came back to WWW in 2016, where she currently holds the title of Associate Director of Fashion News (as well as the unofficial title of resident royal expert—in case you haven't noticed her numerous Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton stories). She spends her days trying to incorporate her idols, Anna Wintour and Roger Federer, into as many stories as possible. Outside of work, she loves tennis, classic rock, traveling, and smothering her dog with affection.