The footwear industry is far bigger than even Christian Louboutin or Jimmy Choo could have imagined. In 2015, global information company The NPD Group reported that athletic footwear alone raked in $17.2 billion in the United States, an 8 percent increase from the year before.
And it's no surprise that the shoe sector of the fashion industry is growing so rapidly—a good pair of shoes, after all, can make or break an outfit—but keeping up with the trends and having a padded bank account don't have to be mutually exclusive. Believe it or not, it is possible to both stock up on sneakers and slip-ons and save money, so long as you know where to shop. Herein, we've made a list of the best places to go to save money on shoes.
6pm
6pm6pm is the bargain branch of popular shoe retailer Zappos. Brands currently sold on the site (on sale) include the ever-popular Ugg, Stuart Weitzman, Frye, and Sam Edelman. Each deal is between 30 and 70 percent off list price—and 6pm will tell you exactly how much you're saving.
DSW
ShutterstockSeeing as DSW is short for Designer Shoe Warehouse, it only makes sense that this store would be the place to go to save money on shoes. Sure, the warehouse also carries bags and accessories, but their true claim to fame is their shoe selection, where you'll find things like block heel Tommy Hilfiger sandals for $35 and men's Aston Grey boots for $70.
Shoes.com
Shoes.comShoes.com, a subsidiary of Jet, is a one-stop job for all of your financially-friendly footwear needs. The website carries more than 800 of the most popular brands out there, and items you can expect to find include things like men's Timberland boots for 45 percent off and metallic Cole Haan ballet flats for more than 60 percent off.
Nordstrom Rack
Shutterstock/Jonathan WeissNordstrom Rack's shoe section is truly a dream come true. Since items that don't get sold at Nordstrom end up at the Rack, brands frequently seen on the store's virtual and actual shelves include everything from Dolce Vita and Donald Pliner to Tabitha Simmons and Ted Baker.
If you get really lucky at the Rack, then you might even score yourself a one-cent deal. What is this, you ask? Every now and again shoppers will bring an item to the register where it rings up for just 1¢, and these infamous scores are known as "penny finds."
Payless
ShutterstockWhether you need new sneakers or strappy sandals, Payless is your sale-price shoe source. The retailer is constantly collaborating with big names in the fashion industry, and so you can score shoes at the store from folks like Martha Stewart and Christian Siriano for a fraction of what you'd pay for their signature lines.
Target
Target's shoe selection is nothing to scoff at. Both men and women who have bought footwear from the retailer in the past laud the brand's loafers for being chic, cheap, and comfortable. "These fit so well and are very comfortable," one contented customer wrote about the Women's Wenda Cut Out Bootie. Another happy customer also raved about their purchase—the Men's Joseph Captoe Dress Shoe—saying, "My husband loves these shoes so much he bought them in both brown and black! They are really great looking [sic] shoes."
The RealReal
Image via YouTube/@therealrealThe RealReal is a marketplace where fashionistas can always find their favorite footwear brands like Chloé, Manolo Blahnik, and Saint Laurent on sale. And what makes The RealReal different from other sites like eBay is the fact that the company has employees who verify the authenticity of every single product, meaning anything you buy is guaranteed to be the exact same product you'd buy for full price in the store.
Lord & Taylor
ShutterstockNot only does Lord & Taylor sell some of the best brands, but it also has its own in-house lines like Design Lab that provide the most popular designs at reasonable rates. During sale seasons, you might even get lucky and find a pair of sneakers or thigh-high boots for less than your morning latté.
Dillard's
Dillard'sDepartment store Dillard's always has a plentiful section of shoes on sale both in stores and online. Some of the brands that the retailer sells include Ugg, Steve Madden, Michael Kors, and Toms—just to name a few.
H&M
ShutterstockWhile you're shopping at H&M for basic tees and jean capris, consider checking out the shoe section as well. Right now, only five pairs of shoes on the site are selling for more than $100—the rest are anywhere between $13 and $99.
T.J. Maxx
ShutterstockGet the max for the minimum—or so the slogan goes—at T.J. Maxx. Whether you prefer cheaper brands like Dolce Vita or high-end labels like Valentino, you're bound to find at least one pair of shoes at the store that satisfies your needs and fits within your budget.
Banana Republic
ShutterstockBetween their factory store and sale section, Banana Republic is a shockingly good place to go to save money on shoes. Footwear currently sold via the outlet includes vegan block heel booties for $60 and suede oxfords for $60—and that isn't even taking into account the additional 20 percent off being offered at the moment.
Famous Footwear
Famous FootwearFamous Footwear might as well be called Frugal Footwear, given how great their prices are. For men, women, and children alike, the site sells designer boots, sneakers, dress shoes, and more, all at a discounted price.
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