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Shoes Under $60 That You Won't Care About Ruining

It’s no secret that part of being in college means destroying a perfectly good pair of shoes on a night out. You promise yourself you won’t get drunk enough to actually do any damage to your brand new booties, only to find yourself in a frat basement full of jungle juice puddles. It f*cking sucks. I get it. If you’re someone who refuses to stick to one staple pair of “going out shoes,” and has wrecked countless pairs, I come to you today with  shoes under $60 that will allow you to look both great and still be able to afford dinner.

I have used this article as an excuse to online shop done extensive research regarding the cheap shoe selection on the market. I can’t promise these shoes will be the highest quality you’ll ever own. However, I can attest to the fact that they’re cute and you probably won’t care when drinks or god knows what else gets spilled on them at a party. These shoes I chose are mostly all black options. Honestly, I don’t think is too much of a hot take considering you step into one college bar and your white shoes will look like you just trudged through a sewer. Here are shoes under $60 that you won’t care about destroying. 

 Boots

I know what you’re thinking. Black booties for going out? Groundbreaking. But if you go to school in a literal arctic tundra like myself, boots are my go-to. Not only do they allow you stay a little warmer while you wait in line for a bar you can’t get into, but they also can look cute with quite literally any outfit. Also, if you’re on the shorter side, boots can give you a boost in height without wearing heels that make you look like you’re trying too hard.

Zara Ankle Boots, $39.99

Coming in juuuuust under the $40 mark, these Zara booties are a great way to get a chunky boot look similar to Dr. Martens, but the studs and belt detailing makes them more unique than a plain pair of Chelsea boots.

Nasty Gal Black Crock Heeled Booties, $44

The Nasty Gal booties have croc details that add layers to a going-out look and give you a good boost of height. If these boots survive a night out, they’re a cute addition to an everyday outfit that’ll make you look like you actually give a sh*t. Nasty Gal is also aaaaalllways having a sale (literally every day, not even exaggerating). You can easily find other affordable alternatives if these aren’t your style. Win-win!

Forever21 Faux Patent Leather Ankle Booties, $35

Forever21 has also been having a ton of sales as of late, so like Nasty Gal, it shouldn’t be hard to find a good deal on a pair of booties. These faux patent leather ankle boots are kind of edgy and give you a height boost. They have more of a platform heel which should  be more comfortable for long-term wear. The heel also looks pretty water-resistant, which we established is key for surviving a night in a frat basement.

Sneakers

I absolutely love sneakers, but I have one golden rule: avoid white cloth/canvas sneakers like the mf PLAGUE. Normally, I tend to go for a black platforms (because I am lazy) or a white sneaker made of a material I can wipe clean. I also have friends who simply buy a pair of cheap white cloth shoes and replace them once they are too hideous to be seen because they like that style better, so your choice.

 ASOS White Platform Sneaker, $53

ASOS has a sh*t ton of white sneakers to choose from. These are a material you can clean off easily (like I said, my go-to) and have a cool animal print touch above the heel. The platform gives the sneakers a more trendy look, which, let’s be honest, no one is looking at your shoes when you’re out, but it means they’d be cute to wear in the daytime too. 

COTTON:ON Dickson Classic Sneaker, $34.99

This is a more classic take on a white sneaker. Same deal: all-white material that can be easily wiped off, but this pair doesn’t have a platform. Although platform sneakers aren’t necessarily difficult to walk in, these are definitely a safe alternative for long-lasting comfort.

ASOS Black Chunky Platform Sneaker, $32

Similar to the other pair of ASOS sneakers, these black platform sneakers are a staple item that add a little flare to your outfit.

Platform Sandals/Wedges

The only “heels” I am going to include on this list are platforms and/or wedges. The concept of wearing heels out is pretty foreign to me, both because no one at my school does, and because whenever I wear heels, I look like a giant praying mantis. I also feel like the more stability, the better. The last thing you want is to be that bitch walking around outside a bar with her shoes off.

ASOS Black Platform Sandals, $56

This is a pretty basic pair of black platform sandals that can easily be dressed up or down. The fact that they are leather means they’ll hopefully form to your foot, be comfortable, and last a little longer than other sandals.  

SHEIN Cork Platform Strappy Sandals, $22

If you’ve seen a photo of your friends or friends adjacent in a pair of strappy sandals over the summer, there’s a good chance they had these on. Channel your inner basic bitch and buy these affordable cork-bottom platforms. Just read the size guide carefully because these sites can be hit or miss.

ASOS Lace-Up Platform Sandals, $19

Finally, this pair of platform sandals are fairly similar to the first ASOS pair, but with a lace-up detail that could look sick with any sort of outfit. Naturally, I also saved the most affordable pair for last! You seriously can’t go wrong with these sandals for only $19. They’re basically free. 

Even if you didn’t love a single pair of shoes on this list (whatever, your loss), the places above are great starting points if you’re looking for a specific style. No one wants to be spending hundreds of dollars on shoes they know are going to be trashed by the end of the night. Go irresponsibly spend money you don’t have on sh*t you’re going to inevitably ruin.

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Image: Syd Wachs / Unsplash