Okay, so you've been hoarding gorgeous clothes all quarantine. A necessary follow-up question is, is your shoe game up to par? It's a valid question! Given that we've all been going out only the groceries and adjacent errands, we've probably been sticking to the same tired pair of trusty sneakers or slides. Of course, there isn't anything wrong with that, but we have to admit–we do miss sassy steppers.
If you're not particulary inclined to splurge on designer shoes– or any shoes that are brand-new, for that matter– you might want to look into preloved pairs peddled by curated Instagram thrift stores. Believe us, those haunts are gold mines. Contrary to popular belief, shoes sold at the ukay-ukay are, for the most part, not depressingly flea-bitten and crumbling. They're simply pre-loved, and you'll find that some have even been preserved pristinely. You can trust that the curators behind each thrift store sniff out the good ones, and resell them at a reasonable price.
Don't be too worried about cleaning them, either. All you'll have to do is complete research on the material of the shoe, and figure out how to best sanitize your pair. Oftentimes, a wet wipe will do. If not, you can take the pair to the shoe doctor, where they'll clean it and repair any flaws. It takes a little effort, but the bargain deals will be too good to resist. Of course, there will only be one of each pair, (since they're all thrifted), so you'll have to closely follow the shops to be notified when they release collections.
Sold yet? Ahead, we've listed four online ukay-ukays that sell the most stylish pre-loved shoes. You'll find designer pairs too! Take a look:
1. Wildflower Room
Even if you're not into shoes– or even fashion, for that matter– intelligent concept shop Wildflower Finds will have something for you. The owner, Tami Acena, is quite the visionary, and her ever-curious, incisive spirit manifests in everything the shop puts out. Expect jaw-dropping true vintage shoes, many of which are from designer brands. The aesthetic is audacious, delectable, weird, and venomous in the best possible way. Note that you'll have to introduce yourself via DM in order to access the shop, but we promise that it'll be worth it.
Price range: P600 to P40,000
2. Abijah's Kasuotan
Those on the hunt for cutesy, colorful, totally delightful pairs should check out Abijah's Kasuotan immediately. Like all the stores in this list, she also sells clothes and bags, but her shoes are definitely a treat. You'll find boots, heels, sneakers, Mary Janes, and others. Oh, and she always thinks up the most hilarious captions for each post, and she's worth following for that reason alone!
Price range: Usually P250 to P1000
3. Thrifted by Gray
Boots, boots, boots! Apart from their mind-blowing printed vintage dresses, Thrifted by Gray also sells boots in different styles, and you're bound to catch one that you'll love. If you're into colors, metallics, suedes, and other textures, this is the shop for you.
Price range: Around P200 to P2000
4. Twice But Nice
For heels, clogs, platforms, and wedges, head on over to Twice But Nice! The owner of the shop has very eclectic taste; we've seen everthing from quirky sculptural heels to cottagecore woven sandals in her collection. We've also spotted classic Roger Vivier pumps! Again, you'll be surprised at how much ukay-ukays have to give.
Price range: Around P300 to P2000
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