Great find of the Week: the BR Lady Peep-Toes (Alecia Look-Alike)

I am on a shoes kick. You will see a lot of shoes in the next days but today I want to blog about a pair of Alecia look-alike that will rave those of you who are smitten by the JCrew Alecia but find them too expensive, even on sale.
I went back and forth about the black suede Alecia all the summer: I wanted to buy a pair because I don't have anything similar in my shoe closet and they are great to add a little edge to any outfit but I waited for them to go on sale as it's a style that could look "passe" next year and by the time they went on sale I cooled off because it was too late in the season and they were still too expensive, even with the 30% off.

A month ago I was at BR and I saw the perfect look-alike, the Lady suede peep-toes. They were $140 but I had a couple of 40% off coupons to be used in September so I hoped that they would still be there when I got back from vacation. They were, and they were still full price which in this case it's a good thing because the 40% coupon can only be applied to full price items.
With the 40% they came down to $84 (what I call a good deal) and I am happy to report that Banana Republic changed back the return policy from 30 to 60 days due to costumer feedback. Take that, Jcrew!

From the front, they are identical to the Alecia, besides the stitches:







The only difference is that the zip is located on the side and not in the back (which is better because less noticeable in case you don't like zippers) and the heel is a little bit higher (4" against 3/4" of the Alecia) and straight:





In case you want to give them a try, I had to size down half a size because my foot was felling off the back. It looks like this is a design flaw as I still had this problem with the smaller size but at least I can walk and I think that it can be solved by applying a little instert.

And yes, I am wearing the Silk and sequins scoopneck tee in olive moss. You know that I really liked it when I first tried it on in sweet almond but when I saw it in store in this olive color I couldn't resist even if it's definitively expensive. It's one of those pieces that just feel like "me" and I thought that it was worth to buy it FP because it's a short-sleeved top and it's season is NOW, unlike most of the fall stuff that are full price now but will be on sale before you can even wear it (I am talking about you Dream V-draped aka "Yoga" sweater.) And if I ended up not wearing it I could always return it. But I wore it a lot already (in Milan and here), so I guess that it was a good purchase.



Now if only could go out and about like this tonight for NYC fashion's night out. I could sip cocktails with Jenna at the Prince store and rub my shoulder against Halle Berry at Ralph Lauren. Instead my husband will be sipping cocktails in Montecarlo at my place and I will be at a playdate with my daughter until 7. I am tempted to show up in this outfit at the playdate and stop by Ralph Lauren with her on my way back (I know someone there) but I am afraid that the other moms will be all in jeans. Unless I put a pair of Gap city flats in my bag and make a quick change before/after the playdate.
I will see how I feel. Anyway I will have my camera with me and if I end up going I will let you know.

Have you seen or tried the BR Lady peep-toes? What do you think? Do you own the Alecia? Please share!