Sex and the Knockoffs

JUNE 17, 2008

I waded through a pool of drool at Bakers in International Plaza the other day. Three different customers were strutting like they just met God, or a serviceable substitute like John Stamos. Why? They had these babies en foote:

Astute shoe freakazoids will recognize them from a little art house film called Sex and the City.

Carrie Bradshaw's real beast is the Extreme Dior Gladiator Platform, which sells for almost $800, if you're lucky. The Bakers version is about $70. The sales girl told me they're selling out in within days of shipments.

$70 for shoes usually makes me want to spear a stiletto through my temple, but I guess in comparison to Dior, it's not, you know, terrible.

I don't know what to think of these. They look bomb on SJP. But she is an alien stick insect with calves the width of Twizzlers. I am five-feet tall with the proportions of a sectioned-off water balloon. Cutting a horizontal line around my ankle is generally a firing offense.

True, I am pondering the rockability of the Carrie shoe. But moreover, I am pondering the days when Bakers used to have $5 sales. D-zang, I miss that.

~ Deal Diva Stephanie

(Photos: AP, bakersshoes.com)

Posted by at 6:02:45 pm on June 17, 2008 in

| Permalink | Comments | | Edit Post

Join the discussion: Click to view comments, add yours

Most Recent Blog Posts

4 Gifts To Buy Yourself On Valentine's Day February 14

My Outfit Monday: Target Shootie Remix February 13

Get thrifty at LifePath Hospice fashion show February 10

Getting help finding the dress that flatters your figure February 09

Steal of the week February 08

When Prada and cheesy car culture collide February 07

My Outfit Monday: Necklace surgery February 06

Go Red for Women savings at Macy's this weekend February 03

Deal Divas: Influencing each other since 1983 February 03

H&M opening new stores in St. Petersburg, Tampa February 02

About the bloggers

Looking for shopping deals in Tampa Bay? The Deal Divas are on the prowl, sniffing out hot fashion finds that won't leave your wallet in ruins. Now you never have to miss a shopping deal! Sign up for weekly Deal Diva Alerts by e-mail. by e-mail. And check in often for the lowdown on local bargains, as well as fashion advice, fun photos and style news. Because shopping should be all about the Washingtons!

Disclaimer: The content of this blog is produced by the editorial staff of the Times and is not tied to advertising.

Meet the authors
E-mail us ideas you'd like us to write about.
Follow us on Twitter!
Join our Facebook page.

THE AUTHORS

Stephanie Hayes came out of the womb wearing high heels. While other kids were reciting multiplication tables, she was learning to calculate an extra third off the half-price discount during buy-one-get-one week. She loves animal prints, black mascara and anything that sparkles. She objects to visible panty lines, Crocs and anything that costs more than a car payment. And she doesn't drive a nice car. She can be reached at (727) 893-8857 or shayes@tampabay.com.

As a sullen teenager, Emily Nipps refused to wear anything but black, olive green or burgundy, preferably ripped. She has since added color to her life but still experiments with her dark streak. A product junkie, she has tried tons of overpriced face creams and hair products but loves drugstore brands that work the same. She's an Aries and a bassist in a punk band. She has a pet pig, seven chickens, three cats and a rabbit. And just as many lip glosses. She can be reached at (727) 893-8452 or nipps@tampabay.com.

Kameel Stanley has never encountered a thrift store she didn’t like. Her mother taught her that the true value of clothes isn’t how much they cost, but how many outfits one can create from them. Having grown up in Michigan, she was delighted to learn upon moving to Florida that she almost never needed to wear socks or boots again. There’s a lot of turnover in her closet, and she’s obsessed with dresses, necklaces and wedge heels. She can be reached at (727) 893-8643 or kstanley@tampabay.com.

A disciple of the little black dress classics school, Letitia Stein stretches her budget by looking for styles with staying power. She lives for 80 percent off shoes at DSW, floral sundresses and bohemian chic tops. She confesses to being a bit of a snob when it comes to handbags and jewelry. She can be reached at (813) 226-3400 or lstein@tampabay.com.

Coming from a long line of fashionable women, Kim Wilmath considers herself lucky to fit into their hand-me-downs. Her wardrobe staples include her grandma's vintage blouses and her mom's funky jewelry. When she's in the market for "new" items, Kim hits her favorite thrift stores -- a habit she also picked up from mom. But when circumstances require a visit to the shiny stores in the mall, you'll find Kim at the sale rack like a good little diva. She can be reached at (813) 661-2442 or kwilmath@tampabay.com.

Comment Policy

Please be sure your comments are appropriate before submitting them. Inappropriate comments include content that:

Is libelous

Is abusive, harassing, or threatening

Is obscene, vulgar, or profane

Is racially, ethnically or religiously offensive

Is illegal or encourages criminal acts

Is known to be inaccurate or contains a false attribution

Infringes copyrights, trademarks, publicity or any other rights of others

Impersonates anyone (actual or fictitious)

Solicits funds, goods or services, or advertises

The Tampa Bay Times does not edit posts but reserves the right to delete comments that violate our policy.

Registration FAQ

Read our Frequently Asked Questions on how to register to comment on the site.