How to Consign Heels

By the Editorial Board

A built-out heel collection is central to every girl’s working wardrobe. TC Girls have found that investing in a few good pairs of heels goes a long way. Marilyn Monroe said it best: “Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world.” Not only does your outfit automatically improve in a beautiful pair of heels, but quality heels last forever. While it has become common to dupe Stuart Weitzman for a pair of Aldo heels, we have found that investing in a couple of designer heels is often more cost-efficient in the long-run. Don’t believe us? We’ll break it down for you!

While there are millions of convincing designer dupes on the market, we recommend staying away. The initial price, at less than $100, can be persuasive, but when it comes to heels, you get what you pay for. In our experience, any dupe heel we have bought from Aldo or Zara typically only lasts one season of wear. Before you know it, the heels’ caps are off, the shoe widens, and the pointed toes and soles begin to wear and tear.

Designer heels, if you take care of them, will outlast any dupe. Rather than get one season of wear, you can easily extend the life of a well-built heel ten or more. In the long run, it makes more financial sense to buy because you won’t be continually purchasing new dupes after they start to wear and tear. Better yet, designer heels are constructed of natural leathers that can be restored and easily protected by a good cobbler.

While I know it can seem daunting to buy designer shoes, especially if you just graduated college and have a limited budget like ourselves, there is a way to get around the steep price of a label brand— Consign! Consigning a pair of heels will take down the designer price substantially, sometimes up to 75% depending on the shoe.

While we have a few favorite consignment stores, TheRealReal never fails to offer the best collection of consignment heels on the market, and it’s available for all Americans, not just people located in the fashion hubs of New York and Los Angeles. TheRealReal’s team always authenticates designer heels and makes sure they are in good condition, so you’ll never have to be concerned about the authenticity, quality, or durability of the shoes you’re buying.

Now that you know where to consign let’s go over the styles you should look out for when building the perfect collection of heels. Here are a few tips and styles that are essential for building a lasting collection of heels for work, the weekend, and every situation in between.

The Black Pump

Similar to the famous Little Black Dress, black heels are the perfect place to start and will get you through the fall and winter seasons. Paired with tights or bare legs, black pumps look great with darker tone dresses, skirts, and work pants. An essential for any girl in the workforce! Black heels, while professional, are also great for going out! Hit the night clubs or wear to a nice dinner, black pumps work for day or night. Look for Christian Louboutin, Prada, and Yves Saint Laurent.

The Neutral Pump

For the Spring/Summer season, opt for a white or nude heel. Simple, universal, but still chic, neutral heels are essential for the warmer seasons. Pair with pastels, a bold red dress, or a navy skirt— neutral heels are essential for summertime in the office. Look for Stuart Weitzman, Christian Louboutin, and Manolo Blahnik.

The Red Pump

Sexy, show-stopping, and stylish, the red pump is a step up from a simple black or nude pair. Paired with all-black, pink, or more red, the red pump is a game-changer. This pump can be worn in and out of the office, just keep in mind, they make a statement! Be bold and invest in some classic red pumps. Look for Prada, Yves Saint Laurent, and Christian Louboutin.

The Embellished Heel

Pearls, crystals, and jewels are all the rage right now because there’s nothing more adorable than an embellished heel. If you're looking for a more playful, youthful, and charming look, this is your solution. But remember, when wearing embellished heels, keep your outfit simple and don’t over-accessorize— let the heels do the talking and walking. Look for Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Valentino, and Amina Muaddi.

The Slingback Heel

Slingback heels have a tendency to be trendy, but never truly go out of style. Worn to work or with a casual pair of jeans, a slingback heel can get you through any occasion or season. Look for Christian Dior, Manolo Blahnik, Gianvito Rossi, Bottega Veneta.

Mules

Mules are meant to step up your summer style— trade-in your flip-flops and espadrilles for a pair of mules. Wear with a chic pair of pants, a midi skirt, or a pair of boyfriend jeans when summer rolls around. Look for Aquazzura, Bottega Veneta, and Amina Muaddi.

The Strappy Sandal

The strappy sandal is another summer staple; however, in the right color and material, they can be worn with tights during the winter season. This versatile heel comes in many styles— from simple straps to lace-ups to bows. Look for Stuart Weizman, Mui Mui, Jimmy Choo, and Manolo Blahnik.

The Red Bottom Heel

You can’t beat Christian. Whoever said “diamonds are a girl’s best friend” didn’t know about red bottoms. While Louboutins come at a steep price, consigning a pair will bring the price tag down significantly, and these heels last forever. Red bottoms will never go out of style and are the ultimate statement staple in your closet. It’s an investment that will always return— just make sure to protect those iconic soles at your favorite cobbler!

Photos via Pinterest, @theblondesalad, @whowhatwear, @jimmychoo, and @louboutinworld