As a woman, you are definitely one or the other. I’m an unashamed bag lady: expensive bags are far and away a much cleverer investment than expensive shoes.

First off, a bag will always fit. It also won’t pinch you or give you blisters and – aside from getting drunk and leaving it in a taxi or being mugged – a good one will last forever.  Try as you might, the same just can’t be said for shoes, which is why I can never part with huge amounts of money for things I am ultimately just going to stick my feet into…and why I have a ridiculously large handbag collection.

Nice things cost money. I get it. But in Singapore, nice things cost so much more money than they do elsewhere. Asia is simply not the place to buy Christian Louboutin’s lovely, spiky, red soled black patent shoes. I had my chance in Saks on 5th Avenue, but bailed at the last minute as I was unconvinced I could really walk in 5″ heels and not look like a newborn foal.*

I remain unconvinced about (eye-wateringly expensive) toweringly high heels and me. However, when I heard about ‘Louboutin-esq’ shoes being sold on Orchard for a mere $100, I felt compelled to check them out.

Pacific Plaza’s the mall you need, and the shop is Muse.

A weird and wonderful shop, the soles of their shoes vary in redness, so you need to do your due diligence first (either that, or just don’t care which is always quite a good option to go with). They stock lots of platforms, which I loved, but ultimately reminded me too much of Minnie Mouse to look chic and fabulous in.

I bought these pointy classic black patents:

…which came from the only pile that wasn’t 30-50% off, but the sales guy was so sweet (he was probably sick of me and keen to get me out of his shop) that he gave me a discount anyway.

They also sell genuine Mulberry and Prada bags that they’ve imported from Europe at much smaller prices than the official stores charge here.

*Editing this – a year and a half or so after writing it – in order for the images to fit my new site, I have to say that I AM now the proud owner of a pair of Louboutin’s and, my God, I am converted (bought Stateside so a little bit cheaper than buying here which makes them feel all the more comfortable!)

Louboutin featured image (very top) courtesy of Running with Heels