Balenciaga Cowboy Boots
[ 3 May 2009 ]
As well as having a mega-crush on the Balenciaga harness booties — of which the Sam Edelman knock-offs now sell for upwards of $500 on eBay — a little while later, in 2007, I fell hard for Balenciaga’s pull-on cowboy boots. I don’t know why they were called cowboy boots, because there’s really nothing very cowboy about them at all, but they had an evil pointed toe, a great shape & serious height.
Yesterday I went to TopShop, & while I was in their shoe department, I fell in love with a pair of boots that were so eerily similar that it could not have been a coincidence.
I think you know the rest of this story: I bought them.
What do you think? I think: doppelgängers. Separated at birth. I also think: hello, I am in love with you. Please never leave me. You are my new favourite pair of shoes & I will cherish you to the very end.
Also, when I wear these, I am 5’11”. HELL YES.
Love letters & feather headdresses,
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Oh now, they’re more “inspired by” rather than “fakey mcfakestein”!!! And 5 foot 11? What’s the heel height on those bad boys?? xx
they are really cute.
Lush shoes! ♥ I hope they last; Topshop shoes have been only bad news for me. Maybe it’s just a UK thing?!
5’11 is the best height to be!
Excuse me for a moment…Gahh! Ack! Wowza!! Those babies deserve a spot in the Gala Hall of Fame. (By the way, is there a Gala Hall of Fame? If not, there should be.)
Your ripped stockings reminded me that a few days ago I spotted a hole in the thigh of my favorite gray polka dot tights. I think I smell a DIY project coming on…
I assume they’re called “cowboy boots” because of the pointed toe and being a boot. It’s actually really hard to find a brand of cowboy boots that aren’t pointed toe. Looks good.
Oh they are open at the top like a cowboy boot. It’s really just cowboy boot inspired. Okay I’m done with the commenting.
Those are some sexy boots! It’s really hard to resist the knock-offs when they look that convincing. I can kind of see the cowboy influence in the wrinkle details. Just imagine the boot without the platform and replace the thin heel with a large chunky one haha.
I’d say the cowboy boot name actually comes from the lines across the front of the toe, and the rippling effect on the edges. There are companies who make shorter cowboy boots that have that same effect.
They’re TOTALLY fucking hot. YUM!
5“11 is the exact height I want to be! So I’m just tall enough to rest my head on Loverboy’s shoulder. ;)
Also those are killer cool! I think I speak for everyone when I say shoegasm!
Will you talk price or is that top secret? ;)
Sorry to comment twice, but I had to mention that I wrote a blog entry just on the very subject of retail stores knocking off high-end designers and what that could mean for fashionistas. check it out!
I’m in love! =O
Those shoes are so kick ass that I really hope they’re in topshop here in the UK. They look, just wow.
I’m so glad Americans are getting Topshop! Isn’t it just awesome!?
Those are amazing!! I wish we had Topshop anywhere close to where I lived (in Northern Ontario, ugh)
Great find! You could put an eye out with those heels.
I had a similar “dead ringer” shoe moment myself this week I’ll be blogging about later. It is ridiculous but finding these doppelgangers at less than half the price somehow makes us feel somewhat smart and superior, like some sort of budget ninja!
I think I actually like the ones that you got better than the originals. I like that the toe is a little softer.
Oooh. I like. How much were the fakeys compared to the real deal?
Woooooow!!!! I really do like them, mmm, 5’11” so how tall are these shoes?
I really love them , they are incredible and I want a pair too n_n.
Bouncing Evil Ginner — 4 inches & a 1 inch platform! Yummy!
Ophelia — Mmmm, Gala Hall of Fame… What would that include? McQueens for sure, Manolos mos’ def’, & maybe my Alexander Wang knock-offs?!
Vixxie — I’m totally with you on 5’11” being the perfect height. Yum. Actually 5’10” is about where I’d like to be…
Shealyn — It’s the perfect excuse for a trip to New York City, haha.
Super Kawaii Mama — Ahh I actually feel pretty bad buying designer knock-offs & would prefer not to do it. I would MUCH prefer to buy the original, because I think they’re worth the money & I want to give them props & support the art (I do consider it art), BUT when they’re not in production any more there isn’t much else you can do!
Lorelle — Fakeys were $180, originals probably somewhere closer to $1000…
I can see the cowboy motif (very loosely) in the Balenciaga boots, but the fakes are pretty adorable, too!
Since I’m on the short side, I love with my shoes like that make me about 5’8”/5’9”
FOXY GALA!
I’m 5’10” to begin with and always in heels! Get all sorts of rude comments from the shorter men when I wear heels (how dare I!)
Love the shoes!
They’re lovely! I think they’re similar, but not twins. And I actually like the topshop ones more! I think they’re more “wearable.” Very cute :)
And Robin… I’m tall and LOVE wearing super tall heels. Being over 6 feet tall in some heels is AWESOME. Towering over people, haha. Rude men can shove it :).
Man, I am so in awe of you for being able to walk in those things.
I can barely master kitten heels!
Robin and Tara Diane…I’m 5’11 to being with and would feel really weird wearing heels. I love them but then I’d be even taller than my friends and boyfriend. How do you do it?
Really wish I could wear shoes like those though, they look awesome.
Hey Gala,
Great shoes! I love this style but find it hard to walk in the suckers haha!
I’m just about to head off for my daily walk- this time i’ve got my first edition of love and sequins on my ipod to listen to! I’m really excited to hear what you’ve produced! Well done for following your dreams and doing what you clearly love. It definitely inspires me :) Looking forward to your other stuff as well.
ooooow, SEXY. I’m drooling lol
Ugh, I just went to Nine West and tried some serious sexy shoes…I was so happy for a moment, then I red the price tag ahahaha well…dreaming is free :D
I want them, they’re brilliant.
Ooh, those are delicious! I do so wish Topshop were in Australia…!
Those are effin’ hot. I want a pair! How tall are you! I’m 5’7 I dunno if I can be much taller haha!
I LOVE those Balenciaga boots as well! They aren’t my usual style, but something about them really draws me in.
no TiLt for last week?!
I would need 8 inch heels to be 5’11”. Ahhh, a girl can dream…
I have to echo Cara up there—I’m 6’ barefoot so always turn away from heels. I always feel awkward being taller than everyone—any tips for loving the height? It’s just weird to read comments on 5’10”, 5’11” being the best.
Otherwise, the shoes are fabulous. I’d totally want to steal them from you if it weren’t for the being 6 feet tall already ;P
Gala: Yum. I have a pair of boots with a nearly identical look that I bought a few years ago, and they’re one of my favorite shoe-staples; I haven’t got tired yet. You will not regret them. :)
cara and Carolyn: I am nearly 6’1” in my stocking feet and I rarely leave the house in anything under a 3” or 4” heel. It’s like being on your own personal pedestal; instant head-turn. How can a girl NOT love it? And besides, you obviously can’t do much about being tall, so why not make it your signature? (Actually, now when I wear flats I feel short. So maybe you could try the heel thing for a few months and then stop; then 6’ would feel weirdly titchy.)
I love making myself super super tall! Weird sense of power. xo Cari isnotfashion.blogspot.com
sexxxxxxxxxx.
i especially like the inlay on the outer ankle, helps to lengthen the line. (makes that 5’11” look like aaaall leg!)
Robin — Psh, ignore those dudes! They’re just insecure. Being tall is hot — just as hot as being short!
r — It’s just practice! Wear your kitten heels more often & you will surely get better :>
cara — I am often taller than my loverboys in heels. It doesn’t bother me. If it bothers them, just tell them to wear platforms… Like Prince!
Words Seduce — Yay! Hope you enjoy it :> xox
Penelope — Well, TopShop’s website delivers internationally… !
Bexi — I’m 5’7” too. Never tall enough!!!
lulubrownskin — Nope, life caught up with me! Next time bebe!
Carolyn — Loving your height is just like loving yourself in general… You just gotta accept yourself for who you are!
Siona — HOLLA, I love what you said about being tall! You just have to rock it!
Those heels look wonderful on you. I especially like them with the torn stockings in the top left picture.
Personally, I think the four-inch heel is about the perfect height.
if you love them so much i hope u bought 2 pairs, becasue u know what always happens, you will wish u got them when you saw them!
OMG those are amazing boots…and they would make me 6’5”!!!! You have found the perfect boots!!! Enjoy!
Oh My God Gala. They are perfect boots.
I’m 5’5” and I sort of like being short. In a way. Though I think that’s just because I have been trying to come to terms with my littleness lately as I reckon I’m not going to grow any more!
I figure short girls are really cute because they’re little and guys want to protect them? Ahh! I hope so anyway!
Sexy shoes, though. I actually prefer them to the real ones! Heel would be too thin for me though, personally.
x
Gala, those shoes suit you fabulously!
Amazing! Hoping they have them at my local Topshop!
i’m 5’9” and i feel so uncomfortable in heels. i envy all the girls that want to be tall, because you get to wear way cuter shoes than i do.
i love to hang out with really tall boys, and girls that wear heels so i can feel shorter or atleast average height.
i do know some boys that like really tall girls. i work at the mall and my manager has a big crush on a girl in the store across from us she’s probably 6’5” barefoot. :D
Those shoes are FAB!!
Oh those are AWESOME! :)
I’m grappling over whether or not to spend $80 on a pair of Serious Nine West Heels…
www.ninewest.com/Kentaro/32355…
In black….but I’m not sure if I could wear them for longer than 10 minutes…which was how long I catwalked around Macy’s with them on! haha
Quite frankly, darling, the fakes are WAY cuter! Those are great!
I need those!
I’ve been looking for platform high heeled ankle booties and there is NOT A PLACE in my country that carries booties with platform?! How insane is that? You have to deal with flat soles and 5 inch heels.
I am 5’8 and love to wear platforms. I have a pair of boots that are 10 inches high!!! It is very useful for talking to drag queens and scare insecure short people, also in concerts, you get the best view!
Here I’m wearing them: www.modelmayhem.com/pic.php?pi…=
Fake tallness=love
Bummer! you were there and I didn’t see you! I work at Topshop.. 3rd floor, where the shoe lounge is… And I was there… working…. =(
How do you like our shoes Gala? It’s like shoe paradise! lolx
After reading this article, I challenged myself the other day to wear these heels I’ve had hunkering in my closet. I’ve always been too afraid of wearing them since I’m 6’, and I don’t want someone thinking I’m a very convincing drag-queen.
But, seriously, putting on those heels was best thing I could have done!
The heels made me like, 6’3, and I felt like a crazy Amazon. Even though I was an inch taller than my boyfriend, he didn’t mind and people didn’t yell mean comments either.
Don’t be afraid, nonpareils! It’s so awesome!
Next pair of heels I’m hunting after: www.stevemadden.com/item.aspx?...
They remind me of the Balenciaga harness booties.
oh oh, do i ever remember those balenciagas… i said hello to them every day when we got them in at satine! i was even the point person to special order them (seriously, look! theshoegoddess.com/2007/04/pic…)...and yet i still couldn’t ever afford to buy them myself :)
le sigh…maybe it’s off to topshop for me, hm?
My friend suggested your blog to me.. and oddly enough I knooow I’ve seen you around Top Shop during the opening day in NYC. I’m not a stalker I swear, just a strange coincidence haha :-P
Now, the question no one seemed to have asked.. how much were the Top Shop boots? Have you shopped in the other boroughs of NYC? There are some interesting more unknown stores with knock-offs outside of Manhattan lol I think you’d enjoy them quite a bit.
katie — Aw! Shame! Obviously you were busy & hard at work, which is a good thing, though. Hee. & I love your shoe selection, it is totally amazing. Do you get a great discount?!
Retro.Bunny — HOLLA!
Nekura — I think I answered that question in my first comment on the page, haha. They were $180. & no I haven’t shopped anywhere but Manhattan really… I need to broaden my horizons!
Awesome shoes, Gala. 5’11 is a great height :) Some of us are stuck at it without heels!