20 Most Expensive Shoes In The World (2023 Updated)
There are those out there that think "clothes make the man" or "diamonds are a girl's best friend" that should actually make a difference in one's life, and there are those who believe there really isn't much of a difference between a T-Shirt that costs $10, and one that costs $500.
For those who don't see a difference in these two items, they are shopping for shoes with very large price tags. These shoes may be worn for comfort, work, and even while out on the town. Many of these shoes are owned by celebrities, and you may recognize them as you go through the list.
Here's a look at the 20 most expensive shoes in the world as of 2023:
How Did We Choose the Expensive Shoes?
Before you take a look at the list, know that researched the shoes that have had the highest price tags in the last few decades and still contain that net worth and value. We used criteria such as the following to determine what shoes are eligible:
- Reviewed all the major designer brands, including Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, and others, for their most expensive line items
- Researched recent auction selling of designer shoes and collector items that have hit the market
- The material used to design the shoe has to be exceptional, and some of the most expensive
These criteria left us with the list below of the most up-to-date information regarding the most expensive shoes in the world.
20. Hermes Birkenstocks Sandals - $31,000 - $72,000
You've seen lots of knock-off versions of these shoes, but the original Birkenstock versions have a price tag that ranges from the lowest of $31,000 to the highest of $72,000. These sandals are made of only the best leather found around the world. This material is reused from original Birkenstock bags that were destroyed.
These shoes are purchased and worn by celebrities and other esteemed citizens across the world. Only a handful of these shoes are made in each design because it is based on how many bags are available.
19. Testoni Shoes - $38,000
Next up are another pair of Testoni shoes from the fine shoemaker emporium. Lyst describes Testoni shoes as “faultlessly crafted." This particular pair is crafted from the finest exotic alligator leather and finished off with a gold and diamond buckle.
These are incredibly lightweight shoes that will beautifully protect your feet from the elements, whether you are dealing with hot, cold, or humid weather conditions.
18. Red Christian Louboutin Boots - $50,000
Iconin boots worn by several celebrities over the last few years have made heads turn and truly stand out in the world of fashion. These cherry red boots are spiked and empower the women wearing them with confidence as they perform.
These boots were designed as a charity shoe, with a purchase price of $50,000 to pay towards the fight against malaria, AIDS, and other diseases causing havoc in third-world countries. They take on this retro look from France of a more popular time and decade, making them one fo the costliest shoes in the world.
17. Nizam Sikandar Jah’s Shoes - $160,000
These are historic museum pieces, so it’s not likely you would be dancing around wearing them. They are custom-made, historical golden slippers that were created for eighteenth-century Indian ruler Nizam Sikandar Jah.
When he died, the slippers came with the throne and were handed down from one royal heir to the next. The shoes, which resemble Aladdin’s slippers somewhat, incorporate intricate gold embroidery and are decorated with rubies, diamonds, emeralds, and other gemstones.
The shoes have become a symbol of the eighteenth-century Indian royal family. In August 2006, the Times of India reported that the shoes, which had been stolen from the Bata museum a few months before, turned up in a nearby church.
16. Kathryn Wilson’s Charity Pumps - $420,000
Kathryn Wilson's flamboyant pumps are covered in diamonds, 21.18 carats to be exact. Wilson custom created the amazing shoes for a Ronald McDonald House charity auction, which raised close to half a million dollars.
The shoes are simply called the Diamond Shoe. Vogue reported that Wilson spent fifty hours painstakingly arranging the white diamonds on the shoes, which are fit for any princess.
15. Stuart Weitzman Diamond Dream Stilettos - $500,000
The Diamond Dream Stilettos were handcrafted by Stuart Weitzman for Dreamgirls actress Anika Noni To wear to the 2007 Oscars. The Precious Dream Stilettos shoes are worth $500,000 and now have fewer than 1,420 Diamonds set in the platinum shoe.
The two-band shoe has diamond-encrusted circles at the top of the foot and a platinum band crossing over the toes. These really are the epitome of striking footwear for ladies.
How Stuff Works sums up the shoes perfectly describing them as having walked out of Marilyn Monroe’s dreams if diamonds really are a girls best friend.
14. Stuart Weitzman Retro Rose Pumps - $1 Million
📍No 11
— dawg (@kinggrinho255) July 18, 2023
👠Kinaitwa: Stuart Weitzman retro rose pumps
👠Thamani yake: $ 1 Million pic.twitter.com/StDOcEWsKi
One of the earliest designs by Stuart Weitzman, these Retro Rose Pumps embody the 1940s and the color scheme that screamed elegance whenever someone walked into a room. The classic T-strap is the main design of these shoes, and each one has a rose diamond made of approximately 100 carats worth of Kwiat diamonds.
These are not the only diamonds, however, as there are more in each heel, raising the cost of this shoe to $1 Million in their last sale. They were intended to be showcased for everyone to see back in 2008, but the Juno screenwriter who did agree to wear them decided against it at the last minute. With lots of talk of expensive shoes lately, they may just see the runway one day soon.
13. Stuart Weitzman “Marilyn Monroe” Shoes - $1 Million
The Marilyn Monroe Shoes are also crafted by Stuart Weitzman, who is known for specializing in the production of ostentatious shoes. These shoes cost a million dollars and are bedecked with glossy silk roses, which have glistening Swarovski rhinestones in the center.It is the Swarovski crystals that provide the shoes with a link to Marilyn Monroe, since they were originally from earnings belonging to the film star. Luxatic.com reported that Regina King wore these shoes to the 2005 Oscars.
12. Stuart Weitzman Wizard of Oz Ruby Stilettos - $1.6 Million
Far Fetch claims that Stuart Weitzman shoes are designed to make women feel beautiful. What could possibly make a woman feel more beautiful than a pair of ruby slippers?Perhaps a pair of ruby stilettos! These "Wizard of Oz" inspired heels are valued at $1.6 million. They have a cherry red insole and a red satin upper and are encrusted with 642 Burma rubies. They were displayed in Harrod’s London in 2003.
11. Nike Air Yeezy - Kanye West - $1.8 Million
Sotheby's has sold Kanye West's Grammy-worn Nike Air Yeezy 1 Prototype for $1.8 million USD pic.twitter.com/kabbiI3av7
— Modern Notoriety (@ModernNotoriety) April 26, 2021
Worn at the Grammy's, the original Nike Air Yeezy's that were won by West himself sold back in 2021 for a whopping $1.8 Million when the rapper was at his peak. They were sold at auction and are a size 12, solid black, and have the oversized Velcro strip across the top. They were sold not because of their look but more as a historical piece.
10. Solid Gold Ovo x Air Jordans - $2 Million
This is the most expensive sneakers in the world and it cost just $2.1 Million
— Dapsy𓃵 (@symplyDAPO) July 2, 2023
Solid Gold OVO x Air Jordans pic.twitter.com/48yninp34k
Worn by Drake, the Solid Gold Ovo x Air Jordans were made of pure gold and cost the rapper a hefty $2 Million. They were debuted on social media, and are not able to be worn. However, they make the list of one of the most desirable sneakers by those who are big collectors of the Air Jordan collection.
While they are not as expensive as those worn by Michael Himself, they are not far behind them in terms of value. They are also the most expensive shoes for men.
9. Tom Ford Custom by Jason Arasheben - $2 Million
Nick Cannon from Wild n Out and America’s Got Talent commissioned jewelry designer Jason Arasheben to customize a pair of Tom Ford loafers. Arasheben studded the loafers with 340 carats of round-cut diamonds set on white gold, and they are now valued at a massive $2 million. Vibe reported that Cannon wore the expensive loafers on America’s Got Talent in 2014.
8. Stuart Weitzman Tanzanite Heels - $2 Million
Stuart Weitzman’s Tanzanite Heels feature 185 carats of luxurious blue-purple tanzanites and 28 carats of diamonds. They were designed in 2006 along with jewelry designer Eddie LeVian. These silver-leather shoes with platinum heels are valued at $2 million. Thejewelerblog compares the shoes to a royal necklace.
A 16-carat pear-shaped tanzanite dangles from the diamond-encrusted ankle strap, which also boasts pear- and oval-shape tanzanites. The Tanzanite Heels were available for the public to see for the first time in January 2007 at the New York Public Library.
7. Stuart Weitzman Cinderella Slippers - $2 Million
Country singer Alison Krause wore these slippers to the 2004 Oscars. These sparkly shoes were made from the highest quality Italian leather. The ankle and toe straps are perfectly crafted into an intricate lace-like design which was created from 565 Kwiat diamonds in platinum settings.
The right slipper plays host to a magnificent, rare 5-carat amaretto diamond, providing the only glint of color in the shoes. MarieClaire describes these slippers as simply the stuff of fairy tales.
6. 1998 NBA Final's Michael "Jordans" - $2.2 Million
In April of 2023, one of the most expensive shoes to hit the market was the 1998 Michael Jordan's NBA Finals Sneakers, and they sold for a whopping $2.2 million. The classic black and red sneakers were worn by Jordan during the game, bringing the Bulls championship victory in the second game.
The toes of these sneakers are signed by Jordan, and they are not the first of his shoes to sell for more than $1 Million. Other regalia from that game and his time with the bulls have a history of selling above a million over the last five years.
5. Stuart Weitzman Rita Hayworth Heels - $3 Million
Oliverrileys.com claims that Stuart Weitzman created the Rita Hayworth heels because he found her inspirational and that the American actress and dancer was the perfect person to make a pair of shoes about. The chocolate brown colored peep toe shoes, which unveil a beautiful Satin flower, cost a cool three-million dollars.
The shoes are quite different to Stuart Weitzman’s usual creations as they are not bright or bold. They are an excellent expression of his ability to do different things with his talent for the right event or occasion.
4. Harry Winston Ruby Slippers - $3.1 Million+
In 1989 Ronald Winston, son of the famous jewelry designer Harry Winston, celebrated the 50th anniversary of "The Wizard of Oz" by unveiling his own version of the famous ruby slippers from the classic film. The beautiful slippers took two months to create and really are something special.
Elegantine reported that Instead of the original sequins Winston used 1,350 carats of rubies and 50 carats of diamonds. These gorgeously over-the-top shoes really are in a category all their own. At a price $3 million, they are far more lavish than the original shoes, adorned only with simple red sequins.
3. Debbie Wingham High Hells - $15.1 Million
British designer Debbie Wingham was commissioned by an unnamed family to design these unique Stilletos. The 24-carat gold leather shoes are made from very rare pink, blue, and white diamonds. They are sewn with pure gold thread. Additionally, they were the world's most expensive pair of shoes until passion diamond shoes came along.
The daily mail reported that Debbie Wingham is well known for her over-the-top commissioned creations that tend to come with price tags of an eye-watering sort.
2. The Passion Diamond Shoes - $17 Million
These were launched in October 2018 in the UAE. The luxurious Passion Diamond Shoes, which are made from diamonds and gold, took over nine months to design and create. According to Business Today, the Passion Diamond Shoes feature several hundreds of diamonds, with two flawless diamonds of 15 carats each. The stunning stilettos are on display in the Burj Al Arab seven-star hotel in Dubai.
1. Moon Star Shoes by Antonio Vietri - $19.9 Million
Why you sef go wear MOON STAR SHOES BY ANTONIO VIETRI $19.9 MILLION for leg come Nigeria. pic.twitter.com/kUp1VtUzyq
— 🦍🦁 Mad Hatter 🦅🧛🏽 (@chapt3rz) July 22, 2022
Just on the cusp of $20 Million dollars are the most expensive shoes in the world. It is designed with 30 diamond carrots studded throughout the shoe and made with complete gold. No additional compounds or variations. This is one of the most expensive shoes for women.
When you look over the heel, you will see it modeled to look exactly like the Burj Khalifa skyscraper on each heel. Also found in each shoe are the 1576 meteorite components to add a bit of historical flare to the shoes. This pair of shoes is just one in a long, long of expensive renditions by Anotnia Vietri.
FAQs
Hands down, the Moon Star Shoes by Antonio Vietri have taken the lead as the most expensive shoe. There are some coming in a close second, but the material used, such as the meteorite pieces are unmatched.
The most expensive Nike shoe to sell was the Sold Gold Ovo Air Jordan pair of shoes. They sold for $2 Million and are considered to be one of the best collector items of all things Nike. No other Nike shoe has come close to that price.
Worn by the legend himself, Michael Jordan's 1998 NBA Final Jordans in the black and red are the most expensive to sell at $2.2 million. They have been signed by Michael Jordan and are one of a few different items that have been collected from that game.
When it comes to unworn shoes, the most expensive Jordan is the Solid Gold Ovo Air Jordan. Other versions that have a similar price point were worn by Michael Jordan, the Nike Air Jordan 1s, and the 1998 NBA Final Black and Red sneakers.
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Written by Garrett Parker
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