Let's face it, when it comes to shoe shopping, India is still miles behind. While we do have some good shoe stores like Charles and Keith, Steve Madden and Aldo {for vegan friendly styles}, the collection breadth and size options can still be a problem. While we also have the likes of Dune and Stuart Weitzman in Delhi and Mumbai, but unfortunately they barely have leather-free styles.
For shoe aficionados this brings in excessive anxiety and trouble. Fear not shoe lovers. Fortunately we are a species of digital era where online shopping and international shipping are a reality. And yes, I mean we. Besides opening up a sea of shoe brands online shoe shopping is a far more pleasurable experience. Unlike physical shopping that can be physically and mentally exhausting you're able to shop the prettiest of shoes with the comfort of your home with just a few clicks. You can choose your permutation and combinations of colours, style, heel size and can instantly get a choice of thousands of shoes to pick from without the nosy sales reps or the need to hop from one store to the other tiring yourself.
With my more than decade experience of online shopping, I can offer you an online shoe shopping directory, nailing the top online shoe stores that offer the best shoes for women online and even deliver internationally from Uzbekistan to India, real quick and without hassles. From luxe to less, let's get cracking!
1. Kurt Geiger - Best Online Shoe Store
High heels - check. Leather free options - check. Sexy tie-up sandals - check. Stylish boots - check. Rockstar high tops - check. I absolutely love Kurt Geiger's online shoe store, they have a huge collection to pick the best shoes online and although the main Kurt Geiger brand has only leather shoes, they do have vegan friendly lines like KG by Kurt Geiger, Carvela and Miss KG. The prices are steeper than your regular high street brands, but fear not. Every sale season Kurt Geiger comes with some of the best deals on their stunning heels. The website is easy to navigate, the delivery is prompt and they ship international pretty much everywhere in the world.
They don't yet offer custom and other international duty and taxes amount collection upfront, but works for me, as I pay it when I receive the parcel back home. KG is one of my favorite places to buy shoes online {and even offline when I am in Dubai or London}. These are my recent buy from KurtGeiger.com that I received just last week (image above). Received them in Mumbai within 5 days of placing the order in UK.
Intuitive site navigation: 4/5
Reliable Product Description: 5/5
Smooth checkout: 5/5
Easy shipping and returns: 5/5
Great selection: 4/5
2. House of Fraser - Best Online Shoe Store
UK's departmental store House Of Fraser wouldn't really pop-up on list of best online shoe stores, but when I was looking for this particular pair of shoes from Miss KG (image above) and they were not available anywhere in my size House of Fraser came to my rescue. While googling I found them on their online store and after experiencing their super quick and great service I am in love with HOF. They offer an enormous slew of retailers so rummaging through their collection of over 2000 shoes can be a challenging task but that's one thing I don't mind spending time on. This coupled with their of express delivery {within 3-6 days for an additional £10} makes HOF one of the best places to shop for shoes, in fact nearly everything. Like Kurt Geiger they also don't take custom duties upfront, these have to be paid when you receive the parcel. Works for me.
Intuitive site navigation: 3/5
Reliable Product Description: 4/5
Smooth checkout: 5/5
Easy shipping and returns: 5/5
Great selection: 4/5
3. Nasty Gal - Best Online Shoe Store
(Source: Nasty Gal)
For badass to nerdy and outrageously sexy look no further than Nasty Gal. They are my new favorite online shoe store with a drool worthy collection. Hit the words vegan in their search box and you'll be surprised to see various vegan shoes. The website offers the option to see the prices in your own currency (yup even INR) and a detailed description down to if the size runs small or large than regular. Featuring brands like Jeffery Campbell, Steve Madden, Schutz and their own label this e-tailer has relatively lesser but a well-curated collection that'll save you time. ~3 days paid express shipping and voila you have a new pair of gorgeous heels right on your lap!
Intuitive site navigation: 545
Reliable Product Description: 5/5
Smooth checkout: 5/5
Easy shipping and returns: 5/5
Great selection: 3/5
4. Asos
(Image source: Asos)
Known as the budget conscious mecca of fashionistas Asos's unreliable delivery service but great online shoe collection brings me back to their online store when I can't find what I am looking for anywhere else. A bad experience of non-delivery using their so-called "worldwide free delivery" thrice but full refund after exchanging dozens of tweets and emails and I still sometimes try my luck for shopping at Asos whenever in need. With over 1500 shoes from 60+ brands, they offer an amazing collection for even the most budget conscious shopper. And their sales are the best, imagine getting a sexy pair of shoes for as low as £8. Filter options of your preferred size, color, brand and even material {leather/non-leather} makes it easier to shop from their online store. Once you make your shoe order, Asos instantly sends you another email for collection of custom duties online, before shipping the product.
Avoid free delivery if you really want your shoes to be delivered in India, although if you are ordering to UK or US free delivery actually works!
Intuitive site navigation: 4.5/5
Reliable Product Description: 5/5
Smooth checkout: 5/5
Easy shipping and returns: 2/5
Great selection: 4/5
5. Farfetch - Best Online Shoe Store
(Image source: Farfetch)
Farfetch has tie ups with designer stores and boutiques in every corner of the world that makes its selection wide but very well-curated! Although the website does not offer the option of filtering between leather and non-leather shoes, you can just filter Stella McCartney {vegan luxury designer} and easily satisfy your designer shoe itch with Stella's amazing shoes.
As a first time buyer, you may face a little hassle after ordering as they may ask for certain details over email to verify if your are making an authorised purchase. Their product description can also be insufficient or sometimes not correct and you may not know whether or not the shoes {or accessory} you're buying has leather or not, so make sure to check through Live Chat or website email form before hitting the buy button, But other than that it is one of the best online designer stores in the world. I can spend hours ogling through gorgeous shoes and purses on Farfetch!
Intuitive site navigation: 4.5/5
Reliable Product Description: 3/5
{I ordered a bag which didn't say about having leather in material description but it had leather lining}
Smooth checkout: 5/5
Easy shipping and returns: 4/5 {free returns offered}
Great selection: 4/5
Share your favorite online shoe stores. Happy Shopping!