Okay Okay I am sure you have a strong opinion one way or the other about Golden Goose sneakers. Some people love them while others (like my hubby) can not fathom spending hundreds of dollars on a pair of sneakers that look like they have been run over. I used to be in the second camp, however, 2020 changed me.
After having a baby, my style choices have definitely changed. I used to never, ever wear sneakers. I would always wear heels, no matter how uncomfortable. These days I am chasing around a busy toddler and I have no room for anything that isn’t comfortable. I have spent lots of money over the past few years trying to achieve the look of Golden Goose sneakers while not actually buying the real deal. However, that just left me wanting more. So, I thought it might be helpful for me to compare a few similar styles in case you are in the same boat.
Let’s just begin with the actual GG’s and then we will compare some other sneakers at a few different price points.
I absolutely and totally love these sneakers. The bow on the back, the perfect amount of sparkle and the pretty laces totally make me swoon. There are so many different styles of GG’s available, and for me it was a little intimidating trying to narrow down which pair to purchase. Given the cost, I wanted to make sure these sneakers were something that I could wear a lot. I decided to purchase a pair that had more neutral colors and were not super distressed. I had my decision narrowed down to two pairs, but the bow on these sealed the deal.
Pros: These shoes are handmade in Italy with nice Italian leather. Someone takes the time to hand distress them so they look perfectly “worn in”. They are like any designer purchase in that you are paying the price for fine craftsmanship and fine materials! They also have a hidden wedge in them and a shorty like me will take all the help I can get! In my opinion, these are very comfortable. I have worn them every single day since I got them and they have gotten better each time. I got my true size 8 and they fit me perfectly. They feel very special to me. The quality is great and they feel very one of a kind (because they are)! I feel amazing when I wear them. I have a photo above of me wearing a pair of lounge pants, and I don’t even care because I feel like these shoes are the star of the outfit! If something makes you feel good, then it is worth the cost! Also, they are easy to get off and on which is always a plus!
Cons: They are very expensive! I don’t take this lightly. I thought long and hard before purchasing these and tried several other options to make sure I would wear sneakers enough to justify the cost. Also, they are a trendy item. I honestly like to invest in classic items that I don’t think will go out of style and these are definitely not classic. However, once in a while it is fun to indulge in a fun trend!
These Sam Edelman sneakers are definitely my most worn pair of sneakers prior to purchasing the GG’s. These are a fantastic option if you want the look without the price tag! As you can see, I have worn these so many times!
Pros: These are also extremely comfortable. I have worn these walking for several hours at a time and find them to be very comfortable. I also purchased my true size 8 in these, however they are slightly on the large size. It didn’t bother me enough to return them and size down, but just something to think about if you want to purchase these. They are nice and neutral so you can literally wear them with anything. They are not very distressed, so they have a much more classic feel than the GG’s. These are real leather and also feel like great quality. I think these could work for anybody across any age range. They are a great pair of shoes and I highly recommend them.
Cons: They only come in white and black so you really don’t have any room to be creative with these. They don’t feel as one of a kind as the GG’s. I also don’t think they add as much fun to an outfit. However, for $100 I can’t recommend these enough.
I don’t really know if these are even considered a real dupe for GG’s but I wanted to include them because they are still the same style.
Pros: These are a fun option for $20! They are offered in several different color choices. I like the small touch of gold and I think they add a fun pop to an otherwise simple outfit. You can get these from Amazon, so they can be at your doorstep in 48 hours or less, which is always a pro in my book!
Cons: These are not great quality. If you wear them often, I wouldn’t be too surprised if they really only made it through one season. They are not especially comfortable and they don’t fit that great ( wow don’t you want to purchase these now LOL). You can’t expect much out of a $20 pair of sneakers, and with these, you definitely get what pay for.
I have actually done a blog post about these look alike sneakers! I styled them three different ways and offered them as a great alternative to GG’s. I honestly really liked them when I first got them and was so excited to style them! However, after trying them a few times, I kind of lost interest in them and stuck them in the back of my closet. They just didn’t do it for me. I remember when I first started planting the seed with my hubby about GG’s and he was so adamantly against them that I showed him these dupes. He said sure, lets order these because you will never wear sneakers anyway. He was kind of right (at that time).
Pros: These look very similar to GG’s at first glance. They even have the GGDB logo on the tongue like the real ones (this did not show up on the website image when I ordered them but when they arrived it was there). They are slightly distressed and a great neutral color so you could wear them with a lot of different options. These come in a few different color options. If you want the exact look of GG’s without the price tag, these are a really close option!
Cons: These are not uncomfortable, but they are no where near as comfortable as the real GG’s. Something about them just never fit my foot exactly right. They are not real leather. Honestly, they just don’t give me the same feeling when I put them on. This may sound lame but they just don’t get me excited. You may not care about that at all, and if that is you, then these might be just the pair for you! I really only found myself wearing these a hand full of times so I honestly don’t have a lot to say about them. I think that in itself says it all. Wow. Deep.
That is my review of my Golden Goose sneaks and the dupes that I have purchased. I hope this is helpful if you are on the fence about purchasing a pair! The Sam Edelman ones are definitely the way to go if you want the look for less. They are a great quality shoe and look great on! Also, don’t forget to check for GG’s on sale, as they do go on sale from time to time! You can always check eBay too, just be careful and make sure you are getting the real deal!
