I’m not ashamed to admit it. When it comes to shoes and handbags, I’m a little bit obsessed. In fact, scratch “little bit.” I’ve actually run out of storage space with the number of heels, boots, sandals, handbags, clutches and totes I’ve amassed over the years. I’m a firm believer that no matter how casual the outfit, a good pair of shoes or a statement bag can elevate an entire look. With that in mind, shoes and handbags are the two things that I never scrimp on (you can find a good white T-shirt almost anywhere, but a bag you’ll use everyday is worth the investment), and I’ve often found shopping for elegant accessories on the high street to be a real challenge. Ask me to find a bag for under £50 or a pair of shoes for £80, and no doubt I can do it, but often they’ll miss the details that make designer bags look really premium. However, there is one brand that has really changed the game with handbags and shoes that are affordable but don’t actually look it. And it’s been a staple in our editors’ wardrobes for years.
Singaporean label Charles & Keith launched in 1996 specialising in shoes and has since expanded to include jewellery, sunglasses and, of course, handbags. Although it only launched in the UK in 2018, it still feels like a well-kept industry secret (probably because we’ve been trying to keep it to ourselves), but that only means it’s unlikely to bump into anyone who will know that your luxurious-looking shoes actually cost £50. Members of the Instagram crowd are already fans, with Brittany Bathgate and Freddie Harrel often spotted in Charles & Keith, but its exciting A-list following has grown over the last year, with Sienna Miller, Jennifer Lopez, Gigi Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski all wearing the brand’s bags and shoes, so it’s clear we’ve got a certified style staple on our hands.
Tagged: shoes