If you’re ever on Facebook and you have fashion or shoes listed as an interest, chances are you’ve seen the ad for ShoeDazzle.
ShoeDazzle is the shoe (and now accessory) line created by Kim Kardashian; the premise is simple– a team of stylists create a custom curated shoe showroom for you based on your style “preferences.” Shoes are only $39.95 each month.
I was curious about ShoeDazzle–so I thought I’d sign up and see if it’s as dazzling as promised.
When you sign up, you take a “Style Quiz”– where you’re shown images of runway styles and asked to pick your favorite. I found that this was a REALLY inconclusive way to determine my style– there’s no option to say, “I dislike all of these.” Your style is being forced by 3 pictures that may or may not represent your own style– just because you LIKE a runway look doesn’t mean you’re likely to WEAR it.
To continue joining, you have to enter your credit card number; each month you will be charged $39.95 for a pair of shoes, unless you SKIP the next month prior to the charge. If you are charged, but don’t find a pair of shoes you like, you earn credits towards future pairs.
In the 2-3 months I’ve been a member, I have skipped all of those months. Additionally, I’ve also had to click the “I don’t like this selection of shoes, please send me new ones” option.
Below is my most recent showroom– with the 2nd change of “colored” shoes in the mix. When you request a new batch of shoes to be sent to you, they organize them by color– either blacks, neutrals & metallics, or colored shoes (along with things like height). Frankly, I can’t evaluate my shoe preferences when they’re only broken down by color. I like black shoes as much as I like colored shoes and as much as I like nude or silver shoes.
When selecting shoes, either in the “send me new ones, plz!” stage, or in the initial style preferences, I wish there was a way to designate what you do & don’t want, what you do & don’t like. So I could say “no flip flops, limited sandals, likes blacks, neutrals, and bright colors, zippers and studs and peep tops, closed backs, not a fan of strappy so much.”
If you look at the front page of ShoeDazzle (image 1), you see a healthy mixture of color and stylings–why can’t my showroom have that diversity in style & color? At least 3 pairs of shoes I might consider buying. From my showroom, there’s one I like– and I could find those at T.J. Maxx for cheaper. Or at least let me see what has been suggested to me by the stylists– and then give me the option of viewing all shoes available for that month.
ShoeDazzle doesn’t release the names of the brands they’re selling– though last month I did recognize one pair of shoes from Chinese Laundry. I think if I knew which brands I was purchasing, I’d feel more confident purchasing them, rather than paying that much for a brand of shoes that may not be worth it…
For the shoe lover on a budget, this could be a great way to expand your shoe closet on a limited budget each month. I could see myself signing up for this in undergrad, when my expenses were a bit more loose and my shoe purchases often more impractical.
Have you signed up for ShoeDazzle? What are your thoughts on it? If you haven’t signed up– What do you think of the concept– is it something you can get in to? If you’re a member, have you made any purchases from them?
{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
I haven’t signed up because of what you’ve described now, I don’t think that the Shoe Dazzle panel of shoe selectors will really fit my style. I not necessarily a fan of Kim K’s style so I didn’t think this would fit me either. Good write up.
DWJ´s last [type] ..How To Accessorize Day to Night
To be honest, there are more shoes than I expected that fit my style! At that same time… none I really have to have…
Looking at that first picture all I can think is “Really? Could we do less of the 4″+ inch stiletto heel with platforms, PLEASE?!”. The variety of styles within those confines is pretty good, but for serious…
I remember hearing about this service and wondering what the shortcomings would be, it sounds like there’s some pretty serious ones. Not worth paying $40 a month for, sounds like to me!
Michelle´s last [type] ..Marvelous Monday
Yes! I’d love if they had more moderate heels…. they tend not to. It seems to be flats or 4″+
BLEH. Forget this. You don’t even know the brands?!?!? I would rather spend that $40 on a pair of nice ho shoes I can choose myself!
From searching around online, it seems that Chinese Laundry & Michael Antonio are the 2 most used brands…I did a google search and found some of the styles from my showcase, and for cheaper.
I kinda debated signing up with ShoeDazzle – but after reading reviews I learned that many of the styles are available for much less, elsewhere. I also didn’t trust the quiz at all. I figure I could save the money each month and buy myself some gorgeous ‘vogs or something.
birdie´s last [type] ..Fraud or Fair Gamble
Yes! I found several of the styles online for under $40, prompted to look after you shared this.
Hmmm, Shoe Dazzle sounds like it’s more of a fizzle. That blows that they don’t even tell you what the brands are. How are you supposed to judge what the quality is? And color is certainly not enough of way to sort shoes. Thanks for your take on this. I definitely won’t sign up. egads.
Sonja´s last [type] ..Best of Beauty- The versatile Bobbi Brown Beach Shimmer Brick
From what I could find from other blogs, it seems that Chinese Laundry & Michael Antonio are the two biggest brands used. I recognized the pink flats as Dollhouse. From all of these though, you can sometimes find them cheaper online just by googling…. but if they don’t tell you that, you really can’t gauge quality!
I was looking into it last year, but it’s not for me. I have to absolutely love something before I buy it–unless it’s freakishly cheap like under $12. But there are shoe lovers who are not that picky about their shoes as long as their in style, and I can see that Shoedazzle follows the current trends.
“But there are shoe lovers who are not that picky about their shoes as long as their in style, and I can see that Shoedazzle follows the current trends.”
Definitely! From some of the reviews I found online, if you just want to buy shoes and do so rather inexpensively, keep on trend.. those bloggers LOVE Shoe Dazzle. I can see why they would. But if you’re a discerning shopper…. I don’t think it’s the best place!
Thanks so much for sharing your experience with ShoeDazzle. I’ve been curious. Judging from your experience and selection, I know better than to bother now.
♥ V
http://www.gritandglamour.com
Grit and Glamour´s last [type] ..WVW- Shredtastic
I imagine I’ll keep it a few more months, see if anything AMAZING shows up… then cancel…
i’ve signed up for shoe dazzle and i’ve actually found myself in the same dilemna as you. i’ve been using it since february and have skipped every single month so far AND asked for new shoe selections every time. I feel like the idea is great, but I agree with you about there needing to be more of a way to specify what you do and don’t like or want. I a;ways feel like the shoes they send me are ok, but not GREAT. it i’m gonna spend $40 on a pair of shoes, I want to look at it and not be able to do without it. you know what I mean? I haven’t found that in a single pair of shoes at shoe dazzle yet.
Cate´s last [type] ..Portrait Malte Paulsen by Saverio Cardia
Cate– all the responses of readers telling me they have this problem both makes me relieved and a bit sad! The idea is SO good, but there needs to be a way to focus it more.
I’m going to write a follow-up post, but I do feel like the 2nd batch I received this month were MUCH better suited to my style… there are actually 3 pairs I would wear!
I could handle the 4″ IF there was a front platform of 2.5″ or so. The fact that they are stilletoes – ie high at back, low at front, means I’d be unlikely to wear them. Funnily enough, I also did a shoe-store post today.
trashtastika´s last [type] ..Fabulous platform shoes -amp boots from Yosuke USA in Japan
This batch I just got is MUCH better about the platforms! But stilettos… they’re so hard to wear. I’d love more wedges or platforms in there!
Hi, I found your blog via my friend Sarah’s (Return to Sender) where you’d commented. I noticed the title to this blog and had to check it out. I too have signed up for ShoeDazzle and have skipped every month, and my alternate selections. They’re always shoes I don’t like. And I even noted once that I didn’t want super strappy or gladiator like sandals (I just think they’re hideous) but I still get sent them. Why can’t I get sent those blue studded ones on the home page of the site!? Now, THOSE I would rock the hell out of! I’m glad I’m not the only one who is disappointed in ShoeDazzle. I’m not really concerned with the label or designer on my shoes. Half of my shoes come from Macy’s or Target, so not knowing the designer doesn’t bother me. What does bother me is that not once have I seen anything (shoes, jewelry or bags) that I look at and say omigodican’tlivewithoutthat! I’m seriously thinking about cancelling my subscription. Which is another issue I have with them… if you want to cancel you HAVE to call. You can’t just do it via email. Oh well. Thanks for the post though! :)
Kyrra, knowing so many others were in this boat makes me feel a bit better (and more sad about it all)!
I think for most of us, knowing the designer just gives us a better indication of what the quality may be like, since the site doesn’t offer reviews from other buyers. Online shopping has gotten SO competitive, that its easy to find a pair of shoes you’ll love, and that will be comfy, etc. for $40. So why trust the unknown for that money, and go JUST based on an image, when you could shop around otherwise? I think having the designers just gives you more known information, more abilities to find reviews on other sites, etc.
God, I still can’t believe you have to cancel by phone. That’s ridiculous!
First of all, my anti-spam word is rickroll.
Second- thought I commented? Anyway, I think the concept is interesting and probably fun in a way, but I don’t think I’m down myself. The shoes probably are not worth more then $40 anyway, so you’re not really getting a deal. They probably bank on the fact that a lot of people are probably like me, people that forget to cancel things. I’d end up racking up credits for months, forgetting to cancel, and then stuck getting shoes I wouldn’t wear anyway.
Liz,
I’ve definitely looked around, having found out that a lot of the shoes are Michael Antonio, and have found a few of the pairs for less than $40 on other sites… it’ll actually be a follow up post I want to write….
“They probably bank on the fact that a lot of people are probably like me, people that forget to cancel things.”
I DEFINITELY think that’s probably a big part of it.
Hello,
I am a member of Shoe Dazzle, have been for I say maybe 6 months and have not made a purchase as of yet! I think the advertising and Home page has cuter shoes than what my stylist is selecting for me. Also, I believe all the shoes are imitations of brand name shoes and they all are made with synthetic materials….I am not too big on spending 40 dollars on pumps, flats, or booties that are not of good quality. For $40 I could go to Ross, Nordstrom’s Rack, or TJ Maxx and buy name brands at a huge discount. That’s just my take on it.
However, my cousin that introduced this to me loves Shoe Dazzle and shops regularly.
~luv Ronnie
VJDesarden
Ronnie, thanks for sharing your experience! I can see how it would work for some women, and overall can see how gals like your cousin could get in to it! For a lot of us though, I think there’s something missing.
I said to someone above how competitive shopping has gotten– that I feel for $40 a company has to REALLY up their game in order to make it worth it. Some of the shoes I saw selling for $20-40 on other sites… so why would I pay $40 for them, when there are SO many options for higher quality shoes for that price??
I have contemplated joining but I have read several reviews and they all seem to be pretty much along the lines of yours — not impressed! I am picking up two themes. 1) the “stylists” don’t seem to do a great job identifying your style and picking the right shoes, and 2) the quality of the shoes is questionable. I totally agree with Ronnie, I’d rather go to a discount store such as Ross or TJ Maxx and buy quality shoes by brands I know and love.
Eboni Ife’´s last [type] ..Bow Back Dresses
I will say, and I plan to do a follow-up about it…. that if you get REALLY specific when requesting new shoes, the stylists do a MUCH better job. After the July batch came to me and I was like, LOOK: No sandals, no brown, no beiges or greens. Black, Silver, Nude, Grey, or bright colors. I like zippers, I like studs, I like peep toes and wedges. And what do you know? 4 out of 5 pairs I really like, and the 5th pair isn’t awful either…
But yes, for $40, I definitely want some assurance about what I’m getting!
Never heard of this site and I will be avoiding it like the plague in future. Thanks, Ashe!
I signed up for shoe dazzle and didn’t get a single pair of shoes(and thusly canceled). which is insane because I LOVE shoes. Any shoes. I found a lot of them very very similar to the ones on shoedazzle at urbanog.com. I hope that helps and I found you from the lovely sarah at return to sender :)
Cobleigh´s last [type] ..OOTD- The turtle who ate too many beets
I signed up for ShoeDazzle because a friend of mine gave me a gift card for my birthday. I am not a fan of ShoeDazzle. The shoes featured are cheaply made and are knock offs. The shoes featured are by “made in China” type brands, such as Michael Antonio, Qupid, Anne Michelle, etc. I’ve yet to see ONE pair of shoes that I can use my gift card for. ShoeDazzle is a huge disappointment, and I know people will sign up and purchase just because it’s “Kim Kardashian’s company”. I wonder if Kim K. actually wears the horrible shoes featured on ShoeDazzle?
I have been a member of ShoeDazzle since Dec., I love it! I’ve only bought 3 pairs, well 5, sent 2 back because when I got them I didnt like them as much as I thought I would. There have been many months that I didnt like a single thing they showed me, but since you dont have to buy or even be charged every month I kept my membership and waited… Earlier this month I found them on facebook, and it has been down hill for my bank account since. I know you can get some of these shoes else where for less, but when you add in shipping and return shipping should you not like them or find the size is off it equals out. Also my experience with their customer service via email, phone & facebook has been ABSOLUTLEY AMAZING!!!! If you dont like anything in your showroom or you see something you like in someone elses all you have to do is ask them and you shall recieve! I emailed them a collage of pictures I had found of shoes they carry that i liked and asked them to tweak my profile so I got those types of shoes and sure enough, I’ve wanted just about everything they have showed me since!!!! Its worth a try, it doesnt cost to sign up, you can skip the month and not be charged unless you decide to buy something. Plus with facebook it really becomes a ” shoe society”
I’ve been a member of Shoedazzle for several months now, and one pair that I bought (I haven’t seen the other one yet) is clearly not of the quality Shoedazzle claims to have – I have not yet even worn them outside and already some paint on the side is scratched off. A good quality shoe will have the color travel deeper into the shoe, so if something like that happens, the color of the material won’t show through. Needless to say, I’m going to wait a couple days, try on my second pair, and we’ll see if that gets returned… Glad others are having problems, too, though…
Thanks a lot for your comments on ShoeDazzle Ashley. I just registered a couple of weeks ago and I agree that I wasn’t very impressed by the little test to find your style, to me it doesn’t mean anything!!! I received my first selection and I kinda liked some but definitely not enough to to buy a pair for 40$ however it turns out I loved the accessories! I bought a Necklace and earrings and a belt they look stylish and I am waiting to receive them and see what I think about the quality. And I registered despite of some of the bad critiques I saw exactly for what Rachaelle is saying: returning your purchases is free and you don’t have to pay if you don’t buy anything.
Also I also noticed that the shoes are all very high heels and when I want a more casual (but not flat) I go to make me chic.com which is also pretty cool and if you buy for 50$ you don’t have to pay for shipping also, returns are not included though…
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