Target Is Selling $30 Gold Buckle Sandals So Similar to Steve Madden That Fans Say There's 'Almost No Difference'
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Even though we tell ourselves before the start of every spring or summer that we don’t need a new pair of sandals, it’s hard to resist. Every year, even if we have perfectly good sandals to wear in the warmer weather, stores like Target just know how to get us to buy more. And this year, Target has ankle strap sandals that are too cute and look nearly identical to Steve Madden sandals. So… it’s not bad to get one more pair, right?
Target’s new Women's Jonie Ankle Strap Footbed Sandals by their brand A New Day are truly the definition of simple yet chic. The platform, chunky black ankle sandals of the '90s and early 2000s had a resurgence in recent years, and this particular style of sandal mimics the simplicity and versatility but without an elevated heel. It's also just as much of a closet staple, easy to dress up or down.
Target’s site states that this Jonie Ankle Strap Footbed Sandal has a “dual-strap… with slingback style,” referring to the fact that you can adjust the strap around your ankle and the one at the front of the shoe. The “slingback style” just refers to how the ankle strap goes around the back of the ankle. It has a cushioned footbed and a “no-heel design.”
Women's Jonie Ankle Strap Footbed Sandals - A New Day, $29.99 at Target
The sandal comes in four colors: black, beige, off-white and taupe. They all have a gold buckle, but each color differs in look and texture; the beige has textured straps while the black, off-white and beige have smooth faux leather straps.
Popular shopping Instagram account, @yourretailbff, posted about these sandals last week and shared how they remind her of “a very cute pair of Steve Maddens,” using the words “designer inspired” on her video. And she’s not the only one to notice that.
"Love the shoe [sic] looks just like Steve Madden but for a way better price point," one reviewer wrote. And another titled their review: "Great Steve Madden dupes."
"Super comfortable with a cushioned footbed and comfy straps,” they continued in their review. “I will get great use out of these taking the kids to theme parks this summer."
Yet another reviewer, who said they waited “PATIENTLY” for a restock of these sandals, compared them to the Steve Madden Mona sandal, saying there’s “almost no difference.” And there doesn’t seem to be in terms of how they look.
Related: Target Is Selling a $25 Eerily Similar Version of Birkenstock Sandals, and Fans Are Going Wild
Steve Madden Women's Mona Sandal, $89.95 on Amazon
The Steve Madden Mona sandals go for $89.95 on both Steve Madden’s website and Amazon. They’re made with vegan leather and gold hardware with a “molded footbed” and flat sole. The straps are also adjustable; if you look at the black leather ones on Amazon and the Target black Jonie sandals, they’re hard to tell apart. Steve Madden’s sandals do come in a lot more colors, from denim blue to rhinestone-encrusted on Amazon and black crocodile to cream leather on Steve Madden’s website. And some of them are even on sale on the site, too.
Mona Black Crocodile Sandal, $89.95 at Steve Madden
One reviewer on Target’s site even called the Jonie ankle strap sandals "Dior knock-offs," most likely referring to Dior’s Dioract Sandal, though that one has a more rugged, textured outer sole. It also goes for $1,500 and is made with lambskin. But that reviewer did note that the Target ones weren’t made with nearly the same quality as a luxury brand.
Dioract Sandal, $1,500 at Dior
While there are reviews that state the Target sandals aren’t comfortable for wider feet, a majority of the reviewers said that they adored the comfortability of the $30 sandals, rating them a 4.4 out of 5 in comfort. It seems like it might be something to try out for yourself, but the price and style seem too good to pass up.
Next up, check out the $25 pullovers Target is selling and how similar they are to Lululemon.
