The Manolo Blahnik BB Pump. Perfection. There’s no other shoe that calls my name more than the BB; it’s simple, classic, and sexy with all the right curves and proportions. Named after French siren Brigitte Bardot, there’s a reason these pumps are seen everywhere on everyone. They just work. You can wear anything with these shoes and still look fabulous. And let’s not forget that most Manolos are extremely comfortable, at least in my opinion. Whenever I tried them on (I’ve yet to own a pair), they felt right at home on my feet as I pranced around in the shoe department.
In June, Neiman Marcus opened their made-to-order BB boutique, where you can customize your BBs by choosing the heel height, color, and material for your new pumps. After you submit your order, the shoes are made in Italy and shipped to you. The best part? A customized pair doesn’t cost any more than a retail pair!
It’s my dream to someday buy myself my very own pair of Manolo BB pumps. But for now, I’ll just eye them from afar, and perhaps temporarily satisfy myself with a double-take.
I’ve had a lot of success with Vince Camuto lately; they offer trendy shoes in addition to classic styles. And their flats are extremely comfortable! You can’t go wrong with the Harty pump. The shape is beautiful and very similar to the Manolo BB.
Feast your eyes on other scrumptious styles…
Whistles French 75 (Asos)
Manolo Blahnik BB (Neiman Marcus)
Although I’m lusting after a pair in black suede, I really like the BB in metallic grey. The color works wonderfully as a neutral, and the metallic sheen creates a modern, edgy, and sophisticated vibe. Because the color is more matte than silver, the pumps will last long after the metallic trend has faded.
ShoeMint Gelareh
Some time ago, ShoeMint had the best Manolo Blahnik BB double-take I’ve ever seen. The Gelareh came in three different colors: silver, yellow suede, and wine patent. They sold out extremely fast, and I regret not getting the yellow pair. However, they just released their August collection, which includes a pump named Bess that looks strikingly similar to Gelareh. It’s available in four fantastic colors, and they’re all suede! Here’s your chance to get what I think is the next best thing to the BB pump if you’re on a budget:
ShoeMint Bess
Update August 8: I just came across these pumps from Victoria’s Secret. They look extremely similar to the BB and come in a bunch of gorgeous colors! They are a bit out of my price range for pumps, but they are made of leather and look very classic, so it might be worth the investment if you love them!
Victoria’s Secret Pointed-ToePump