We don't mean to show off, but we've definitely found the best Chanel sandals dupes on the market. If you've been coveting the designer label's chunky shoes but, alas, still do not have the funds to splash out (us neither), we have some seriously great news worth scrolling for.
The divisive shoe trend was born back in 2015 when Balenciaga dropped its chunky Triple S trainers. No sooner had the cult sneaker saturated all of our Instagram feeds (tbf, it actually took a while, since no one could get their hand on a pair), Chanel dropped the daddy of all 'dad' shoes.
Yep, we're talking about Chanel's dad sandals. The quilted, velcro-fastening, orthopaedic AF style that, frankly, we wouldn't have looked twice at was it not for the shiny double C logo emblazoned on 'em. Then the penny dropped: high fashion doesn't have to be uncomfortable. Cue the wedding bells (we in lurrrve).
Many years on and this sandal has truly trumped any 'ugly' predecessors before it. It's cute, hella comfy and surprisingly versatile. Don't believe us? Check out the many a high-low styling sitches below, courtesy of our fave influencers:
So, by now, you're probably sold. However, there's just one tiny, weeny issue: they'll cost you an arm and a leg. Now, we want to see our feet swaddled in spenny padded leather just as much as the next person, but we've got bills to pay.
For those who don't have circa £2k lying around, the high street has some incredible Chanel-inspired styles starting from less than £50.
Our favourite Chanel sandal lookalike is Kurt Geiger's. The footwear brand has made a seriously sturdy shoe here – the tread platform and inner moulded footbed add inches without the blisters, while the padded leather straps and velcro fastenings only add to the comfort factor. We also love how KG has put its own lil' spin on this popular look with its signature eagle head hardware.
The cheapest Chanel-inspired gem we've found, ringing in at just £40.00, is available at River Island. With their double strap, monogrammed gold hardware and quilted faux-leather, these babies are just like the OGs – and we're beyond obsessed.
Dune was actually the first high street store to create Chanel sandal lookalikes, back in May 2020. The brand's iteration has the same blue quilted denim and double-strap slingback shape upper as the designer style loved by Pernille Teisbaek, but the logo emblem has been swapped for a cool silver-tone lock.
Naturally, as soon as the high street store debuted this designer lookalike it sold out faster than you can utter the word 'Chanel'. It also seemed like every British influencer managed to get their hands on a pair 😤, despite the fact us mere mortals had to sit in the 800-strong waiting list.
These days, they're easier to get hold of (but no less covetable!) but if you want a pair, hurry TF up: Dune's all black sandals have already flown off the shelves.
We also love the brand's lookalike of Chanel's silver sandals or if you're feeling particularly wild, opt for the bold leopard print. Both of these styles are going to be perf for festival season.
Don't love the idea of lookalikes, but appreciate a good ugly sandal aesthetic? Vagabond's iteration is definitely Chanel-inspired in shape but not a full-on copycat sitch. These shoes are crafted from leather in the same double-strap slingback shape, but they're missing that famous CC logo and swap quilted detailing for a clean hoop-and-loop fastening. Talk about chic.
These babies will look incredible with wide-leg jeans, but they can also tone down feminine summer dresses and give slinky slip dresses an edge.
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Abigail Southan is our Senior Fashion Ecommerce Editor and has five years' experience as a writer and editor in the industry. Abigail has a BA in History from the University of Bristol and an MA in Fashion Journalism from Central Saint Martins. Abigail currently covers all things style and shopping across titles including Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE, Esquire and Red. On a daily basis, she helps readers buy better with how-to-wear guides, first-person product reviews and deep dives into the latest trends. Previously, Abigail has worked for The Sunday Times’ Style and Fabulous magazine as their first ecommerce writer and was a founding editor of Sun Selects. She has also written for Net-a-Porter, I-D, Man About Town, Wonderland and 1 Granary, and has interviewed the likes of Paris Hilton, Dua Lipa and Christopher Bailey. You can follow Abigail on Instagram at @abigailsouthan.
Rosie Davenport is a former Ecommerce Writer at Cosmopolitan UK and Red Online, covering fashion, beauty and travel reviews, as well as major sales events such as Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. Rosie has reviewed everything from Reformation dresses to the latest massage guns and knows the new brands to bookmark as well as the latest trends to follow. Before this role, Rosie was a Fashion Ecommerce Writer on publications including ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar and Good Housekeeping for nearly two years, and gained a MA from Central Saint Martins in Fashion Journalism in 2021, focussing on the rise (and rise) of fashion podcasting. Rosie has also worked at The Times, been a sub editor at The Mail on Sunday’s weekly YOU magazine and produced in-depth retail reports for the trend forecasting agency WGSN. Her career highlight? Previewing Prada’s AW21 menswear show in the depths of lockdown and interviewing Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons from her bedroom. Outside of work, Rosie can be found rummaging through vintage shops or getting lost in one of London’s iconic department stores. You can follow Rosie on Instagram @rosie.davenport
